Replication-Incompetent Virus-Like Particles for Broad SARS-CoV-2 Immunity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaccine approaches for SARS-CoV-2 are narrow in scope, focusing on single subdomains or ectodomain epitopes, and inactivated whole virus approaches risk skewed immune responses and structural changes, necessitating a vaccine that elicits a broad immune response while maintaining safety and scalability.
Innovation Solution
Development of replication-incompetent virus-like particles (VLPs) with a native configuration of envelope antigens, produced using a modified SARS-CoV-2 genome with removed portions, enabling safe and scalable vaccine candidates and diagnostic tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chemical inactivation of fully infectious SARS-CoV-2 is used, then a broad immune response to all viral antigens is elicited, but the structure of the Spike protein changes leading to non-native antigens and skewed immune responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virus-like particles that are copies of the native virus structure, containing all viral antigens in their native configurations, but without the infectious genome. This allows the immune system to recognize authentic viral epitopes without the risks of live virus or structural distortion from chemical inactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the infectious genome from the virus structure, retaining only the structural proteins that form the viral envelope and antigens. This separation eliminates the replication capability while preserving the immunogenic structural components in their native state
2Manufacturing precision
If focused vaccine approaches on single subdomains or ectodomain epitopes are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the scope of immune response is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The virus-like particles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they present multiple different antigens (S, M, E, N proteins), elicit broad immune responses against all major viral proteins, and maintain native structural configurations. This multi-functional approach overcomes the limitations of single-epitope vaccines
3Adaptability or versatility
If fully infectious virus approaches are used, then broad immune response is achieved, but safety is compromised due to replication capability
Solution Approach 1:
The infectious genome is completely removed from the viral structure, leaving only the structural proteins that form the particle envelope and display antigens. Without the genetic material, the particles cannot replicate or cause infection, eliminating the safety risk while preserving immunogenicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates non-infectious copies of the virus structure that mimic the native viral morphology and antigen presentation without containing functional genetic material. These copies provide immune education without the harmful effects of live virus
Data Source
AI summary
Virus-like particles, compositions and antibody detection tests with virus-like particles, and a method of producing virus-like particles are disclosed. The method includes generating a modified viral genome based on a viral genome, wherein a portion of the viral genome is removed to generate the modified viral genome configured to yield virus-like particles that are unable to replicate, and producing one or more virus-like particles using the modified viral genome.