Value Proposition
· Compositions for inducing anti-HCV immune responses
· Nucleoside-modified RNA encoding one or more HCV antigens to induce robust preventive or therapeutic adaptive immune responses against HCV
Unmet Need
· Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant clinical burden and is the leading cause of liver transplantation in North America. While novel oral antiviral therapies have emerged that improve HCV management, there continues to be a strong need for prophylactic HCV vaccines to prevent the disease.
Technology Description
· Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, The University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt University collaboratively developed a novel lipid nanoparticle vaccine for HCV. The technology consists of HCV envelope genes (E1E2) isolated from an individual who developed broadly neutralizing antibodies and cleared HCV infection without treatment. Nucleoside-modified mRNAs expressing a sequential lineage of antigens are disclosed as immunogens to induce protective or therapeutic immune responses against HCV. The nanoparticle encapsulates this mRNA, allowing an immune response against viral antigen to be produced.
Stage of Development
· In vivo data
