US20240408191
2024-12-12
Human necessities
A61K39/145
The patent application focuses on nucleic acid vaccines (NAVs), specifically RNA and mRNA vaccines, detailing compositions and methods for their preparation and therapeutic use. These vaccines utilize polynucleotide molecules to encode antigens, aiming to provoke an immune response against infectious diseases. The application includes details on the design, manufacture, and formulation of these vaccines, emphasizing their potential in addressing rapidly evolving pathogens.
Traditional vaccines often involve weakened or inactive forms of pathogens to stimulate immunity. However, the production process is lengthy and costly, posing challenges in rapidly addressing new strains or pandemics. The constant mutation of viruses and bacteria further complicates vaccine effectiveness. For instance, influenza viruses frequently alter their surface proteins, making existing vaccines less effective against new strains.
The invention describes NAVs that encode one or more antigens using RNA polynucleotides. These vaccines are formulated within cationic lipid nanoparticles, enhancing delivery and stability. The NAVs are designed to quickly induce an immune response, with potential applications against a wide range of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and parasites.
NAVs are formulated using nanoparticles with specific lipid compositions to optimize delivery. Examples include cationic lipids like DLin-KC2-DMA and sterols such as cholesterol. The formulation can vary in lipid ratios to enhance vaccine efficacy and stability. The NAVs can be chemically modified for improved performance, with codon-optimized open reading frames encoding antigenic polypeptides derived from infectious agents.
The NAV technology is adaptable for a broad spectrum of infectious agents. It includes RNA sequences encoding antigens from various pathogens like influenza virus, HIV, hepatitis viruses, and more. This flexibility allows for rapid response to emerging infectious threats by enabling the swift development of effective vaccines tailored to new strains.