Adjuvant Development of the TLR4 Ligand BECC470s For Use in Influenza, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa Vaccines

NIH RePORTER · NIH · N01 · $5,246,827 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

For effective next-generation vaccines, the identification of high-quality target antigens combined with effective adjuvants will be critical. Immunoadjuvants are key components in vaccine formulations since they enhance and shape immune responses to vaccines in both immunocompetent and immunosenescent individuals. Bacterial Enzymatic Combinatorial Chemistry (BECC) technology allows for the efficient production of rationally designed lipid A agonists which signal through the host innate immune system via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). BECC-based adjuvants generate a balanced Th1/Th2 response yielding antigen and dose sparing, increased T-cell mediated effector immunity, enhanced proliferation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, and the establishment of a longer-lasting humoral immunity in adult and aged populations. BECC470s is a rationally designed synthetic TLR4-based ligand from this process. The objective of this proposal is to develop the adjuvant potential of BECC470s and evaluate it for preclinical testing with three established immunogenic vaccine antigens: 1) Influenza A HA protein, 2) Staphylococcus aureus detoxified α-hemolysin, and 3) Pseudomonas spp. T3SS fusion protein (L-PaF). BECC470s will be evaluated for biophysical properties, safety, immune stimulatory potential, and antigen sparing when developed as independent vaccine formulations that include Antigen System (AS) biosimilars (AS01, AS03, and AS04 biosimilars, and micellular) in both adult and elderly populations. These studies will allow for IND-enabling development of BECC470s through immunological characterization studies, as well as compound optimization for three separate and unique component vaccines.

Key facts

NIH application ID
11126497
Project number
75N93023C00046-P00002-9999-1
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
Principal Investigator
GREGORY SORENSON
Activity code
N01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$5,246,827
Award type
Project period
2023-09-30 → 2028-09-29