New Mers-Cov Vaccine

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a novel MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) vaccine based on mutant forms of the virus's receptor-binding domain (RBD) and spike protein. Specifically, mutations are introduced in these regions to reduce their binding affinity for the human DPP4 receptor, which otherwise can mask critical viral epitopes and impair the immune response. By reducing receptor binding, the vaccine promotes a stronger and more effective antibody response against MERS-CoV. The invention covers specific mutant polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them, and resulting vaccine compositions for both prevention and treatment.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Prevention of MERS-CoV infection in humans.
• Treatment or mitigation of MERS-CoV infection post-exposure.
• Vaccination of camels and dromedaries to prevent zoonotic transmission to humans.
• Use in at-risk populations, such as healthcare workers or those in areas endemic for MERS-CoV.
• Deployment in outbreak containment strategies to interrupt virus spread.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enhances the immune response by preventing host DPP4-mediated masking of immune-relevant epitopes on the spike protein, leading to higher levels of neutralizing antibodies.
• May provide more effective protection (compared to previous vaccines) even in individuals with high serum levels of DPP4, such as those with diabetes.
• Broadly applicable to both human and animal (e.g., camel) vaccination, addressing both public health and zoonotic transmission routes.
• Potential to improve both prophylactic (preventive) and post-exposure vaccine efficacy due to stronger antibody generation.
• Rational design allows for adaptation to emerging MERS-CoV variants by introducing specific mutations as needed.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a mutant receptor-binding domain (MERS-mRBD) of MERS-CoV (middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus) or a fragment thereof and a mutant spike protein (MERS-mSpike) of MERS-CoV or a fragment thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a mutant spike protein (MERS-mSpike) of MERS-CoV or a fragment thereof comprising the MERS-mRBD or the fragment thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a polypeptide or protein comprising the MERS- mRBD or the fragment thereof or MERS-mSpike or the fragment thereof and a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for the MERS-mRBD or the fragment thereof or the MERS-mSpike or the fragment thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vaccine composition comprising one or more MERS-mRBDs or fragments thereof, one or more MERS -mSpikes, one or more polypeptide or proteins and/or one or more nucleic acids according to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the one or more MERS-mRBDs or fragments thereof, the one or more MERS-mSpikes, the one or more polypeptides or proteins, the one or more nucleic acids and/or the vaccine composition according to the present invention for use in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases caused by MERS-CoV in a subject.