CONSTRUCT COMPRISING mRNA-STRAND AND RETINOIC ACID-INDUCIBLE GENE I (RIG-I)-LIGAND(S), PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION AND KIT COMPRISING THE SAME

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

This patent describes a new type of construct for mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, in which one or more special short double-stranded RNA molecules (RIG-I ligands) are directly attached to the mRNA strand using a flexible linker. The RIG-I ligands are designed to activate the body's innate immune response in a predictable manner by stimulating the RIG-I immune receptor, mimicking how viral RNAs are detected during infections. The result is a more controlled and robust immune activation when the mRNA vaccine or therapeutic is administered, improving the efficacy and safety of mRNA-based interventions.

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

• Development of mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19, influenza, HIV, etc.), providing controlled and predictable immune activation.
• mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies, especially for tumors that require strong innate and adaptive immune responses or need to convert immunologically 'cold' tumors into 'hot' ones for better treatment outcomes.
• Therapeutic interventions for viral infections where rapid activation of innate immunity is desirable.
• Creation of mRNA drugs for personalized or precision medicine, particularly where control of immune adjuvant levels is key.
• Research kits and pharmaceuticals to study or modulate innate immune responses involving RIG-I in vitro or in vivo.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables precise control over innate immune system activation, resulting in more consistent and effective mRNA vaccine responses.
• Reduces the risk of side effects or unpredictable immune reactions that can occur with 'contaminant' adjuvants found in conventional mRNA vaccine preparations.
• Allows the strength of immune activation to be tuned by adjusting the number of attached RIG-I ligands.
• The adjuvant activity is well-defined and independent of manufacturing contaminants, enhancing reproducibility and patient safety.
• The modular system can be applied to mRNAs coding for different antigens, enabling versatility in targeting various diseases, including both infectious and cancer indications.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a construct comprising a mRNA-strand, and at least one, preferably at least two, retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-l)-ligand(s) comprising a) a nucleic acid sequence being capable of binding to RIG-1, b) a linker moiety L comprising 3 to 24 main chain atoms, and c) a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to at least one nucleic acid sequence of the mRNA-strand. The present invention further provides said construct for use as a medicament and/or for use as a vaccine, a pharmaceutical composition and kit comprising said construct, said construct for use in a method of treatment or prevention of a disease, the use of said construct as a vaccine and/or an immune adjuvant, said construct for use in a method of inducing an immune response as well as a method of treating and a method of inducing an immune response.