Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies for RSV and MPV Fusion Proteins

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective vaccines and therapeutic agents for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Metapneumovirus (MPV) infections, particularly in infants and immunocompromised patients, due to the absence of a suitable animal model and the limited efficacy of existing monoclonal antibodies like palivizumab and nirsevimab.

Innovation Solution

Development of broad-spectrum antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that can neutralize multiple strains of RSV and MPV, including variants with mutations like D280N, providing broad protection without the need for complex diagnostics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing monoclonal antibodies like palivizumab and nirsevimab are used, then protection against RSV is provided, but they are not effective against MPV and have limited efficacy in preventing infection and severe disease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficacy of monoclonal antibodiesVSAvoidbroad-spectrum coverage against RSV and MPV

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize both RSV and MPV viruses, making a single antibody therapeutic effective against multiple paramyxovirus infections. This multi-functionality resolves the limitation of existing antibodies that are specific to only one virus type, providing broader protection without requiring separate diagnostics for different viruses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention identifies and targets specific conserved epitopes on the F glycoprotein of both RSV and MPV, segmenting the protective function into targeted binding at critical viral fusion regions. This allows the antibody to recognize structurally similar but sequence-divergent viruses through focused epitope recognition rather than requiring broad sequence matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If vaccines and therapeutic agents are developed for RSV and MPV, then protection against these viruses is improved, but the lack of suitable animal models hinders development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against RSV and MPVVSAvoiddevelopment process feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes transgenic mice expressing human ACE2 and human respiratory epithelial cell cultures as intermediary models to bridge the gap between animal research and human clinical applications. These intermediary systems enable preclinical testing of vaccines and therapeutics in a human-relevant context, overcoming the limitation of traditional animal models that do not naturally support human paramyxovirus infections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If broad-spectrum antibodies are developed to neutralize multiple strains including variants with mutations, then broader protection is achieved, but the complexity of identifying effective epitopes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage against multiple strains and variantsVSAvoidcomplexity of antibody development

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and characterization of conserved epitopes on the F glycoprotein before developing full antibody therapeutics. By pre-mapping the critical neutralizing epitopes that are conserved across RSV and MPV strains, including mutant variants, the development process is streamlined and targeted, reducing the complexity of subsequent antibody engineering and selection processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If existing monoclonal antibodies are used for treatment, then some protection is provided, but they do not effectively prevent prolonged pulmonary replication or reduce infection severity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection efficacyVSAvoidduration of viral replication control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes antibody parameters including affinity, valency, and Fc region characteristics to enhance neutralization potency and duration of action. By modifying antibody parameters such as increasing binding affinity to conserved epitopes and engineering Fc regions for enhanced effector function, the therapeutic provides sustained control of viral replication throughout the infection course, preventing prolonged pulmonary replication that occurs with existing antibodies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260028391A1Broadly neutralizing antibodies against RSV and MPV paramyxoviruses

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 HUMABS BIOMED SA

AI summary

The instant disclosure provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that can bind to a RSV and/or MPV fusion glycoprotein and can neutralize a RSV and/or MPV infection. Also provided are polynucleotides that encode an antibody, vectors that comprise such polynucleotides, host cells that can express the antibodies, related compositions, and methods of using the herein disclosed compositions to, for example, treat or prevent a RSV and/or MPV infection.