Nanoparticle Composition for Peanut Allergen Desensitization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current approaches for modulating immune responses to antigens are inadequate, as they often rely on systemic drug treatments or isolated antigen therapies, failing to effectively induce desired immune reactions such as tolerance or rejection of specific antigens.

Innovation Solution

The development of immunomodulatory nanoparticle compositions combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic microbial components with biodegradable polymers, where hydrophilic components are encapsulated within nanoparticles and hydrophobic components are associated with the external surface, allowing for controlled release and targeted antigen delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If systemic drug treatments or isolated antigen therapies are used to modulate immune responses, then immune modulation is attempted, but the effectiveness in inducing desired immune reactions (tolerance or rejection) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of immune modulationVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment approach
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite nanoparticle structures combining biodegradable polymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic microbial components. This composite approach creates a multifunctional delivery system that simultaneously provides structural integrity, controlled release capabilities, and enhanced immune recognition, thereby improving the reliability of immune modulation while maintaining manufacturability through established nanoparticle fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle composition is segmented into distinct functional components: biodegradable polymer matrices for structural support and controlled release, hydrophilic microbial components for immune system interaction, and hydrophobic components for antigen presentation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall effectiveness while enabling modular manufacturing approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If crude microbial cellular preparations are used with nanoparticle entities, then manufacturing complexity and expense are reduced, but the precision and control of immune response modulation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicity and costVSAvoidcontrol of immune response modulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the nanoparticle formulation, specifically adjusting the ratio and composition of hydrophilic to hydrophobic microbial components within the crude preparations. By optimizing these parameters during formulation, the system maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving controlled and predictable immune modulation outcomes through standardized nanoparticle delivery mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle structure serves as an intermediary that bridges crude microbial preparations and the immune system. The biodegradable polymer matrix and surface-modified microbial components act as mediators that organize and present antigens in a controlled manner, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise immune response modulation through the nanoparticle-mediated delivery mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If hydrophilic and hydrophobic microbial components are combined with nanoparticle entities, then immune response modulation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune response modulation efficacyVSAvoidnanoparticle composition structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges hydrophilic and hydrophobic microbial components within a single nanoparticle structure composed of biodegradable polymers. This merging creates a unified delivery system where both types of microbial components work synergistically to enhance immune response modulation, thereby improving efficacy while presenting a single integrated therapeutic agent rather than multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nanoparticle composition is designed with multi-functionality, where the biodegradable polymer matrix provides structural support and controlled release, while embedded hydrophilic and hydrophobic microbial components collectively provide antigen presentation, immune system interaction, and adjuvant effects. This universal design approach enhances immune modulation efficacy through a single multifunctional platform rather than requiring multiple separate therapeutic agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These compositions facilitate regulated and tunable immune responses, enabling effective modulation of allergic, infectious, and autoallergic reactions by mimicking natural microbial attributes, enhancing immune system interaction and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface, and a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components encapsulated within the internal lumen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic interaction: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 2

a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components associated with the external surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3760223A1Nanoparticle composition for desensitizing a subject to peanut allergens
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 N-FOLD LLC
  • EP3760223A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760223A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3760223A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. Ins ome embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided.