Combined vaccine against mycobacterium tuberculosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, such as BCG, provide limited protection against adult pulmonary TB and are not effective in all age groups, particularly in individuals with HIV, and there is a need for improved vaccines that can prevent TB infection and colonization, especially in drug-resistant strains.

Innovation Solution

A TB-MAPS immunogenic composition comprising an immunogenic polysaccharide linked to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens via affinity binding pairs, which can be administered separately or simultaneously with BCG, enhancing humoral and cellular immune responses, including Th17 and Th1 responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BCG vaccine is administered alone, then safety is maintained with excellent track record, but protection against adult pulmonary TB is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection efficacyVSAvoidvaccine composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple TB antigens (ESAT-6, CFP-10, MPT64, MPT83) with a polysaccharide carrier to create a conjugate vaccine that merges the advantages of protein antigens with the immunogenicity of polysaccharides, achieving enhanced protection against adult pulmonary TB while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine uses a composite structure where TB antigen proteins are conjugated to a polysaccharide carrier through affinity binding pairs, creating a composite material that leverages both components' properties to elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If BCG vaccine is used, then protection against severe disseminated disease in infancy is achieved, but protection against adult pulmonary TB is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveage-specific protectionVSAvoideffectiveness across age groups

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent tailors the vaccine's antigenic properties by selecting specific TB antigens and conjugating them to polysaccharides in controlled ratios, creating a formulation with optimized local qualities that elicit appropriate immune responses across different age groups including adults

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine formulation allows for dynamic adjustment of antigen-to-polysaccharide ratios and can be administered in combination with BCG at different sites, enabling flexible adaptation to different age groups and immune states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If TB antigens are attached to polysaccharide via affinity binding pairs, then immune response is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response strengthVSAvoidvaccine production simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses affinity binding pairs as intermediary molecules that naturally link TB antigens to the polysaccharide carrier through specific binding interactions, simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating complex chemical conjugation steps while maintaining strong immune response enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If BCG is administered before TB-MAPS, then Th17 response is reduced, but Th1 response is enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular immune responseVSAvoidimmune response profile flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent administers BCG vaccine before the TB-MAPS conjugate vaccine at different sites, using the preliminary BCG administration to prime the immune system in a way that enhances subsequent Th1 responses to the TB-specific antigens while managing Th17 response dynamics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The TB-MAPS composition significantly increases immune responses to TB antigens, providing robust protection against pulmonary TB and reducing Th17 response inhibition when administered with BCG, offering a flexible and efficient vaccine platform.

Implementation Method 1

an immunogenic composition comprising an immunogenic polysaccharide linked to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens via affinity binding pairs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAffinity binding:

Data Source

PatentUS20250228923A1Combined vaccine against mycobacterium tuberculosis

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENT CORP

AI summary

The present embodiments provide for a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) immunogenic composition comprising an immunogenic polysaccharide which induces an immune response, where at least one M. tuberculosis peptide or polypeptide antigen is associated to the immunogenic polysaccharide by complementary affinity molecules. In some embodiments, the immunogenic polysaccharide can be an antigenic capsular polysaccharide of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Type 5 (CP5) or Type 8 (CP8), or a combination of Type 5 or Type 8 capsular polysaccharide from Staphylococcus aureus, or alternatively, a different immunogenic capsular or noncapsular polysaccharide, and where the protein or peptide M. tuberculosis antigens are indirectly linked via an affinity binding pair. The present M. tuberculosis-MAPS immunogenic compositions can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses to the immunogenic polysaccharide and one or multiple M. tuberculosis antigens at the same time.