Optimized Transposase for Cost-Effective T Cell Gene Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gene delivery systems, such as lentiviruses, are expensive and not suitable for personalized T cell receptor-modified T cell therapy (TCR-T) due to patient-specific sequences, necessitating the development of a more cost-effective and efficient non-viral vector like a transposon system.

Innovation Solution

A transposon system with an optimized transposase protein, encoded by SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3, is used to enhance gene delivery efficiency by improving the activity of the transposase through a transposase expression vector or mRNA, facilitating integration of target DNA into immune cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lentivirus delivery system is used to insert CAR genes into T cells, then continuous gene expression is achieved through chromosomal integration, but production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous gene expressionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive lentivirus vectors with a transposon-based delivery system that uses cheaper, non-integrating vectors combined with a transposase enzyme system. The transposon vector itself is not designed for permanent integration but works with the transposase to achieve stable gene expression, effectively using a disposable, cost-effective alternative to the expensive lentivirus system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a transposase enzyme as an intermediary component that mediates between the transposon vector and the T cell genome. This intermediary system allows gene integration without requiring the complex lentivirus structure, separating the delivery function from the integration function and enabling cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining reliable gene expression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a lentivirus delivery system is used for personalized TCR-T therapy, then gene delivery capability is provided, but it becomes almost impossible to apply due to patient-specific sequences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized sequence deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gene delivery system into separate components: a transposon vector containing the TCR gene and a transposase enzyme system. This segmentation allows the TCR gene sequence to be easily modified for each patient without requiring new viral vector production, as the transposon system can accommodate sequence variations more flexibly than lentivirus systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables easy modification of the TCR gene sequence parameter for each patient while using the same transposon delivery platform. By changing only the TCR sequence inserted into the transposon vector rather than the entire viral system, personalized therapy becomes manufacturing-feasible while maintaining the adaptability needed for patient-specific sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a non-viral transposon system is used instead of lentivirus, then production cost decreases and manufacturing becomes easier, but gene delivery efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction cost and manufacturing easeVSAvoidgene delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite gene delivery system combining a transposon vector with a transposase enzyme system. This composite approach merges the cost advantages of non-viral vectors with the integration capability of viral systems, achieving both economical manufacturing and high gene delivery efficiency through the synergistic combination of these two components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters of the transposon system including the transposase enzyme activity, vector design, and delivery conditions to enhance gene delivery efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves productivity levels comparable to or exceeding lentivirus while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of non-viral platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4663752A1Highly active transposase protein of transposon system, and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 NEOGENTC CORP
  • EP4663752A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663752A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4663752A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a highly active transposase protein of a transposon system, and a use thereof. Genes can be effectively transferred through improvement in transposase activity such that the present invention can be effectively used in the development of genome-modified cell lines expressing various genes. When T cells are transformed using a highly active transposase, according to the present invention, the proportion of cytotoxic T (CD8+ T) cells having anticancer activity increases, and the proportion of memory type T cells of TCM (central memory T cells) and TSCM (stem cell-like memory T cells), having good persistence in the body, increases, and thus it is expected that TCR-T cells and CAR-T cells having good persistence in the body can be produced using the transposon system of the present invention.