Protein Nanoparticles for Antigen Display in Vaccines

The technology relates to a protein-based nanoparticle platform that allows presentation of immunogenic molecules such as influenza virus antigens. This protein platform is made up of hepatitis B capsid/core proteins. The core proteins contain immunogenic loop c/e1, where other antigens can be inserted and the chimeric protein retains the ability to form capsid-like particles. The technology describes the insertion of one or more copies of influenza epitopes derived from the globular head or the stem region of hemagglutinin protein into or around the c/e1 loop of the core protein. The nanoparticles formed by the use of Hepatitis B virus core proteins can be disassembled and re-assembled, allowing mixing of antigens. Furthermore, the nanoparticles can be expressed in prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. Thus, the platform provides a means for an optimal display of influenza epitopes for the induction of immune response including broadly neutralizing antibodies against the virus and therefore has the potential to be developed into an efficient universal vaccine against influenza virus infection.

This technology is available for licensing for commercial development in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 209 and 37 CFR Part 404, as well as for further development and evaluation under a research collaboration.