Sequential Pneumococcal Glycoconjugates for Expanded Serotype Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumococcal vaccines, such as PREVNAR 13, fail to provide adequate protection against emerging serotypes and are hindered by antigenic competition, necessitating immunogenic compositions that cover additional Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes while minimizing immune interference.
Innovation Solution
A 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine compositions comprising glycoconjugates from specific S. pneumoniae serotypes, individually conjugated to CRM 197, administered sequentially with a 1-12 month interval to induce immune response against serotypes not covered by existing vaccines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current pneumococcal vaccines (e.g., PREVNAR 13) are used, then protection against common serotypes is achieved, but protection against emerging serotypes is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine composition is segmented into multiple distinct glycoconjugate components, each targeting a specific serotype. The patent formulates a 15-valent vaccine that divides protection into 15 separate serotype-specific conjugates (including serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F, 33F, and 35B), allowing comprehensive coverage without overwhelming the immune system with a single complex antigen mixture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple serotypes are included in a single vaccine, then broader protection is achieved, but antigenic competition increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each glycoconjugate component in the vaccine possesses local quality through its unique capsular polysaccharide structure specific to its target serotype. The patent designs each conjugate with distinct carbohydrate epitopes that are locally optimized for their specific serotype, ensuring that the immune system can distinguish and respond to each serotype independently without cross-reactivity or interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CRM197 (a diphtheria toxin derivative) as an intermediary carrier protein that mediates the presentation of diverse capsular polysaccharides to the immune system. This common intermediary structure facilitates the conjugation of multiple different serotype-specific polysaccharides while maintaining consistent immunogenicity and reducing inter-antigen competition through standardized presentation mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vaccine coverage is expanded to include more serotypes, then protection against emerging serotypes improves, but immune response may be diluted
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine employs composite material structure by combining synthetic or purified capsular polysaccharides with the CRM197 protein carrier. Each glycoconjugate represents a composite of carbohydrate and protein components, creating immunogenic complexes that elicit both T-cell dependent and T-cell independent responses, thereby maintaining strong immune activation across all 15 serotypes simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to new immunogenic compositions comprising conjugated Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular saccharide antigens (glycoconjugates), kits comprising said immunogenic compositions and uses thereof. Immunogenic compositions of the present invention will typically comprise at least one glycoconjugate from a S. pneumoniae serotype not found in PREVNAR®, SYNFLORIX® and/or PREVNAR 13®. The invention also relates to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumoccocal infections using said novel immunogenic compositions.