Researchers at HJF and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) have developed novel vaccines comprised of fusion proteins; Ferritin nanoparticle and antigenic coronavirus peptide(s). These fusion proteins generate simultaneous protective neutralizing immune responses against coronaviruses and their variants.

Applications and Advantages

Innovation Description

• Bacterial Ferritin nanoparticle-based vaccine platform can be used to quickly create pan-coronavirus vaccines
• Plug and play: using “beads-on-a string” methodology one can put antigens from multiple coronaviruses together on a single ferritin nanoparticle to elicit broad immune responses
• These vaccines can be formulated for systemic administration via parenteral delivery
• Phase I clinical studies for SARS-CoV-2 have been completed
• Ferritin nanoparticle constructs can be used to screen antibodies that can bind to and treat/neutralize coronaviruses

Researchers have developed a vaccine platform that is comprised of nanoparticle proteins and one or more antigenic peptides that contain coronavirus spike proteins linked together through peptide linkers. These fusion proteins self-assemble into stable nanoparticles and generate protective neutralizing immune responses when administered. Furthermore, analogous to “beads-on-a string”, a string of antigens from multiple coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, hCoV-OC43, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, HKU-1, 229E or NL63 can be put together on a single ferritin nanoparticle to elicit broad immune responses. It is also possible to increase, or focus the immune response, to a specific pan-reactive or pan-protective immunity. These vaccines can be formulated for systemic administration via parenteral delivery.

Antibodies that can bind to the spike glycoprotein and prevent interaction with angiotensin- converting enzyme 2, or ACE2 “receptor,” (cellular doorway for the coronavirus) can facilitate protection from infection. Therefore, this construct can be used as a highly effective antibody screening tool

Fig 1. SARS-CoV-2 Virus Neutralization graphs of Spike Ferritin
nanoparticle-based vaccines (SpFN or RFN) in rhesus macaques

Inventors

• Michael Gordon Joyce, Ph.D., HJF
• Kayvon Modjarrad, M.D., Ph.D., WRAIR
• Agnes Hajduczki, Ph.D., HJF
• Morgane Marie Rolland, Ph.D., HJF
• Eric Lewitus, Ph.D., HJF
• Paul Thomas, Ph.D., HJF
• Wei-Hung Chen, Ph.D., HJF

Innovation Status

In vivo studies showed that Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle (SpFN) and Receptor Binding Ferritin Nanoparticle (RFN) vaccinated macaques were protected from infection as evidenced by lack of viral replication in the upper and lower airways. Please see Vaccines (Basel). 2022 May; 10(5): 717, f or Phase I studies please see Study Record | Beta ClinicalTrials.gov

Intellectual Property Status

Patent applications have been filed in the United States (17/905,614), Australia (2021231915), Canada (3,170,575), and Europe (21763758.6).