Improved Vaccination Using Lentivirus in Prime/Boost Protocols - Isis Project No 1428

Research at the University of Oxford has resulted in the identification of methods for improved vaccination strategies using DNA encoding an antigen or antigens to prime the immune system, followed by an effective boost using non-replicating lentivirus.

Background and Market Opportunity

Current research initiatives show that delivery of antigen genes to dendritic cells (DC) may allow long-term, high level presentation of the expressed antigen. The development of viral vectors, such as adenoviral vectors, for gene therapy, has prompted their use in gene delivery to DC. In order to optimise these technologies it is necessary to develop vectors that do not activate DC constitutively (like adenovirus), or block DC activation ( like herpes simplex viral vectors).

The Oxford Invention

The inventors chose to study the effects of lenti ral vectors, which are known to be capable of transducing non-dividing human peripheral blood-derived DC and can stimulate specific CTL responses in vitro.

The technology allows for use of engineered lentivirus comprising nucleic acid encoding an antigen(s) to stimulate both a cell-mediated immune response and the production of antibodies against the antigen(s). Lentiral vector boosts, following priming with DNA encoding a relevant antigen, are attractive for prime/boost protocols as pre-existing immune responses to the lentiral vector are likely to be absent in most recipients. Multiple injections of lentiral vectors may also be achieved by pseudotyping with different envelopes to avoid neutralising antibodies.

Commercial Opportunity

This exciting Oxford discovery has recently received a favourable International Preliminary Report on Patentability from the EPO, which recognised the DNA/Lenti prime/boost combination as both novel and inventive. Isis Innovation is now actively seeking commercial partners active in the area of DNA vaccines to develop this technology.

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