AAV Mediated Flu Vaccine Delivery (SJ-23-0004)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-23-0004

Description

Researchers have developed an adeno associated vector (AAV) influenza virus vaccine for prophylactic and potentially therapeutic protection against influenza virus. Others previously have described using AAV to deliver antibodies protective against influenza, whereas this vaccine delivers antigens. 

Advantages:

• Uses AAV to achieve intramuscular, intradermal, and/or intranasal gene transfer to establish expression of influenza virus -associated antigens. The 2024 publication discusses the intramuscular data.
• Work continues on an AAV serotype and tissue specific promoter to restrict expression to target organ(s). 
• Uses a “self-adjuvanting” design obtained via codon optimization for increased immune-stimulation.
• Uses novel computationally optimized broadly reactive influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) antigens designed to provide increased antibody breadth against influenza HA and NAs. 

Keywords

Adeno associated vector (AAV), influenza virus vaccine, self-adjuvant, codon optimization, immunostimulatory CpG motifs, TLR9 activation, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) antigen, monovalent or bivalent influenza virus H1, H3 (or other strains), N1, N2 neuraminidase, nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix (M) genes. 

Granted patents or published applications

US Application filed; international application published as WO 2024/137913.

Related scientific references

Wiggins KB, Winston SM, Reeves IL, Gaevert J, Spence Y, Brimble MA, Livingston B, Morton CL, Thomas PG, Sant AJ, Ross TM, Davidoff AM, Schultz-Cherry S. rAAV expressing a COBRA-designed influenza hemagglutinin generates a protective and durable adaptive immune response with a single dose. J Virol 0:e00781-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00781-24

Licensing opportunities

We are seeking partners to further develop and pursue this vaccine.

Contact the Office of Technology Licensing (Phone: 901-595-2342, Fax: 901-595-3148) for more information.