Novel VAR2CSA Immunogens and Methods of Use Thereof

The invention provides immunogen polypeptides comprising fragments of VAR2CSA protein expressed by P. falciparum as potential second-generation placental malaria vaccine candidates. VAR2CSA is the leading antigen target for a placental malaria vaccine, where associated antibody titers are correlated with protection. Aspects of the inventive immunogen polypeptides comprise all or portions of the chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) binding regions of VAR2CSA, as identified by a structural study of VAR2CSA conducted by the inventors, that possess great sequence conservation among P.

Novel Compositions of Matter Comprising Stabilized Coronavirus Antigens and Their Use

Using a computational design methodology, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins containing engineered amino acid changes to the receptor binding domain (RBD) were designed. These engineered spike proteins improved the immune response upon immunization of animals. An engineered RBD was also expressed at greater yield, had increased temperature stability, and improved the immune response upon immunization of animals. Specifically, the disclosed RBD designs can be produced approximately 7 times more efficiently than the native sequence, facilitating vaccine manufacturing on a global scale.

Enhanced Stability and Efficacy of Pfs48/45 Domain III Protein Variants for Malaria Vaccine Development Using SPEEDesign Technology

The technology includes modifying the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs48/45 Domain III protein sequence to enhance its stability and efficacy to aid in malaria vaccine development. This approach successfully overcomes previous production challenges by increasing the thermostability of the antigen and eliminating the need for additional modifications that could impair vaccine effectiveness. Crucially, the technology maintains the essential neutralizing epitope of Pfs48/45, ensuring its effectiveness in preventing malaria transmission as a transmission-blocking vaccine.

Next-Generation MSP1-Targeted Malaria Immunotherapy: Enhanced Vaccine Candidates and Monoclonal Antibodies

This technology encompasses the development of highly advanced malaria vaccine candidates and human monoclonal antibodies, both centered on targeting the Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP1) of the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite. The innovation lies in utilizing a novel computational design and in vitro screening process, which has created MSP1 vaccine candidates that are significantly more immunogenic, stable, and cost-effective than existing alternatives. These vaccines focus on the 19 kDa carboxy-terminus fragment of MSP1.

A Novel Strategy to Produce 6-cys Proteins Based on Pfs230D1 Domain Fusions

The Plasmodium parasite has a complex lifecycle during human infection and in the mosquito vector. Most advanced malaria vaccine candidates can confer only partial, short-term protection in malaria-endemic areas. A means of breaking the transmission of malaria to subsequent individuals could prevent a significant amount of human disease.

The primary embodiments of this technology are novel compositions of matter that produce enhanced transmission-blocking responses over current transmission blocking vaccines:

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