Nanoparticle aAPC Compositions for Stable T Cell Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for shelf-stable pharmaceutical compositions that effectively induce antigen-specific T cells for immunotherapy, particularly for cancer treatment, as existing methods face challenges in stability and efficacy.

Innovation Solution

The development of nanoparticle compositions comprising artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) with specific physical parameters and surface conjugated ligands, including anti-CD28 antibodies and HLA antigen-presenting complexes, designed to target and activate T cells, providing antigen-specific activation and expansion while maintaining stability and potency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional DC-based immunotherapy methods are used, then T cell activation can be achieved, but shelf stability and ease of storage are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveT cell activation efficacyVSAvoidpharmaceutical composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) that copy the essential functions of natural dendritic cells using synthetic beads with conjugated ligands. These aAPCs replicate the antigen presentation capability without requiring living cells, thereby achieving shelf stability while maintaining T cell activation efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the immunotherapy approach by changing the physical state from living cells to synthetic particles, and optimizes parameters such as particle size (20-200 nm), ligand density (5-1500 ligands per particle), and surface charge to achieve both stability and efficacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If high ligand density is increased on particle surface, then T cell activation potency is improved, but steric constraints and reduced activity may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveT cell activation potencyVSAvoidsteric constraints from ligand abundance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies and optimizes the optimal ligand density parameter range (5-1500 ligands per particle) to achieve maximum T cell activation potency while avoiding the steric constraints that occur at excessively high densities. This parameter optimization balances activation potency with functional efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If nanoparticle size is reduced to enhance distribution, then tissue penetration is improved, but antigen presentation capacity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution to target tissuesVSAvoidantigen presentation capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes nanoparticle size within the 20-200 nm range to achieve optimal balance between tissue distribution speed and antigen presentation capacity. This size parameter allows sufficient penetration into target tissues while maintaining adequate surface area for ligand conjugation and T cell interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3970748B1Nanoparticle compositions and methods for immunotherapy
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 NEXIMMUNE INC
  • EP3970748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides compositions and methods for immunotherapy, which include shelf-stable pharmaceutical compositions for inducing antigen-specific T cells. Such compositions are employed as components of an artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC), to provide a patient with complexes for presentation of an antigen (e.g., a tumor antigen) and/or a T cell co-stimulatory molecule.