US20260091104
2026-04-02
Human necessities
A61K39/145
The patent application discusses nucleic acid vaccines, specifically focusing on RNA and mRNA vaccines. These vaccines include polynucleotide molecules that encode antigens, which are essential for inducing an immune response. The document outlines the compositions, methods, and processes involved in the selection, design, manufacture, and use of these vaccines. By leveraging nucleic acid technology, the aim is to provide a more efficient and rapid response to infectious diseases.
Traditional vaccines typically use weakened or inactive forms of pathogens to stimulate an immune response. However, these methods face challenges such as long production times and the ability of pathogens to mutate, evading immune detection. RNA vaccines offer a promising alternative as they can be designed to quickly adapt to emerging strains, providing broader protection against rapidly evolving infectious agents like influenza viruses.
The application describes compositions that include one or more RNA polynucleotides encoding antigenic polypeptides. These RNA sequences are often formulated within cationic lipid nanoparticles to enhance delivery and stability. The lipid nanoparticles are composed of specific ratios of cationic lipids, non-cationic lipids, sterols, and PEG-modified lipids to optimize the vaccine's efficacy.
The invention provides methods for inducing immune responses by administering RNA vaccines. These vaccines can be tailored to encode antigens from various infectious agents, including viruses and bacteria. By utilizing codon optimization and chemical modifications, the vaccines aim to enhance the expression and immunogenicity of the encoded antigens.
The described RNA vaccines target a wide range of infectious agents, including but not limited to influenza, HIV, hepatitis, and other viral pathogens. The application highlights the potential for these vaccines to address challenges in current vaccine technologies by offering faster production times and adaptability to new pathogen strains, which is critical during pandemic situations.