Mucosal Vaccines

About

Overview Our novel mimetic of the lectin Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 from the gorse bush, provides a means to develop effective mucosal vaccines The Advantages of Mucosal Vaccination and the UEA-1 Mimetic Mucosal vaccination is an attractive option for controlling infectious disease since mucosal vaccines are cheaper to manufacture, easy to administer, and reduce the need for a ‘cold chain’ during transport. However, the development of mucosal vaccines is hampered by several factors including dilution of the vaccine in mucosal secretions, enzymatic degradation and inefficient uptake across epithelial barriers Effectively targeting nanoparticulate vaccines to immune cells with the UEA-1 mimetic confers a number of advantages: Both UEA-1 and its mimetic bind with high affinity to M cells in the gastrointestinal tract and the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, enabling increased uptake of targeted nanoparticles Nanoparticles can enhance the activation of immune responses and increased uptake will enhance nanoparticle-driven immunity Since M cells are present in both the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, our technology can enhance the effectiveness of both nasal and oral vaccines The Opportunity This technology is currently in prototype development and testing with established antigens for proof of concept. We are seeking private and public funding, as well as academic and industrial collaborations with the view to out-license the technology for co-development and commercialisation. Possible Applications The potent cellular responses induced by the UEA-1 mimetic can be harnessed for the development of vaccines against pathogens including such as influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and HIV Where an antibody-mediated response is vital for protection, as in the case of influenza, we have shown that co-administration of saponin adjuvants induces antigen-specific antibodies. Technology and Patent Status The core technology of this is the targeting of antigens and particulate adjuvants to M cells and antigen-presenting cells following mucosal immunisation. A number of patents have been filed on this technology Pharmaceutical formulations and ligands for use therein; mimetics for UEA-1. Inventors Houghten, Richard, Pinilla, Clemencia, Lambkin, Imelda, O'Mahony, Daniel, Hamashin, Christa, Schink, Amy, Osthues-Spindler, Lisa. Patent 7166296 Issued on January 23, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date: July 2, 2022. A US provisional patent application [US61/485,653] has been filed earlier this year entitled ‘PLANT LECTINS TO TARGET LEUKOCYTES’. The application was filed jointly with Trinity College Dublin and Merrion Pharmaceuticals, where the named inventors are; Ed Lavelle, Edel McNeela, Darren Thomas Ruane, Christopher Davitt & Karen Misstear.