HA modifications for improved influenza vaccine production (SJ-20-0031)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-20-0031

Description

Currently, most influenza vaccine virus strains are produced using embryonated chicken eggs; however, this method often introduces mutations into the viral genome that can reduce overall vaccine effectiveness. While producing vaccine virus strains using human cell lines is more desirable, it is more expensive due to lower yields in comparison to chicken eggs. The recent expiration of the reverse genetics patent for influenza opens new opportunities to directly modify viral genes used for vaccine production to increase yield and lower production cost.

Researchers at St. Jude have discovered two highly conserved nucleic acid sites within the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the H1N1 influenza virus that allows the virus to replicate at a much higher rate in a shorter amount of time. These specific sites are associated with adenosine methylation (called m6A), and when mutated, result in increased viral replication while maintaining viral fitness and virulence. This increased replication rate also results in a more robust immunological response due to hyperactivation of key interferon and inflammatory pathways. Ultimately, incorporation of these two mutations into vaccine virus strains may ultimately result in higher production yields as well as a stronger immunological response to the antigen when compared to standard dosage.

Keywords

Vaccine, virus strain, mutation, viral, genome, human cell line, chicken eggs, HA gene, manufacture, hemagglutinin, H1N1, adenosine methylation (m6A), virulence, immunologic, inflammatory pathways

Granted patents or published applications

International application published as WO 2022/051327

Related scientific references

Licensing opportunities

More information is available under a confidentiality agreement, we are seeking partners to produce vaccine using these methods.Contact: chad.riggs@stjude.org

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