Pneumococcal Conjugate Composition for Broad Serotype Immunogenicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pneumococcal vaccines have limited serotype coverage, particularly for Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3 and 8, and are poorly immunogenic in children and elderly individuals, leading to inadequate protection against pneumococcal diseases.

Innovation Solution

Development of an immunogenic composition comprising a conjugate of saccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 8 and a carrier protein, combined with a mixture of capsular polysaccharides from multiple serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) individually conjugated to CRM 197 or protein D/tetanus/diphtheria toxoids, enhancing immune response and coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If polysaccharide-based vaccines are used, then serotype coverage can be extended, but immunogenicity deteriorates in children and the elderly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserotype coverageVSAvoidimmunogenicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polysaccharide antigens from multiple serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F) with carrier proteins (CRM197, protein D, tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid) to create a conjugate vaccine. This composite structure provides both broad serotype coverage and enhanced immunogenicity through T-cell dependent antigen characteristics, resolving the contradiction between coverage and immunogenicity in vulnerable populations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical and structural parameters of the vaccine components by using specifically sized polysaccharides (average molecular weight 38-158 kDa depending on serotype) and controlled conjugation ratios (e.g., 1:1 to 1:5 polysaccharide-to-protein ratios). These parameter changes optimize both the breadth of serotype coverage and the strength of immune response in children and the elderly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conjugate vaccines are used to enhance immunogenicity, then immune response improves, but serotype coverage remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveimmunogenicityVSAvoidserotype coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges 14 different polysaccharide antigens from distinct pneumococcal serotypes into a single conjugate vaccine formulation, each conjugated to appropriate carrier proteins. This combination approach maintains the T-cell dependent immunogenicity benefits of conjugate vaccines while expanding protection to cover 85-90% of epidemiologically important serotypes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine employs multiple carrier proteins (CRM197, protein D, tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid) that can each independently elicit strong immune responses, providing universal immunogenicity across different serotype components. This multi-functional carrier system ensures robust immunogenicity while accommodating the diverse polysaccharide antigens from 14 serotypes

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If serotype 3 polysaccharide is included in conjugate vaccine, then serotype coverage improves, but immune response efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserotype coverageVSAvoidimmune response efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the polysaccharide size parameter for serotype 3 by controlling the average molecular weight to 38-158 kDa through specific purification and fractionation methods. This parameter optimization, combined with conjugation to CRM197 carrier protein at controlled ratios, significantly improves the immune response efficiency to serotype 3 polysaccharide, addressing the historically low responder rate of 63.5%

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3474890B1Pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate composition
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
  • EP3474890B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3474890B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1G
  • EP3474890B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising a conjugate of a saccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 8 and a carrier protein, and a mixture consisting of capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F individually conjugated to CRM197 carrier protein, or a mixture consisting of capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F individually conjugated to a carrier protein, wherein the capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, and 23F are individually conjugated to protein D, the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 18C is conjugated to tetanus toxoid and the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F is conjugated to diphtheria toxoid. Said compositions are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.