# Broad humoral protection induced by influenza B neuraminidase-based immunogens

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $423,750

## Abstract

Influenza B virus infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and pose a major public health
problem, specifically in young children and infants. Influenza B viruses represent about 25% of circulating
influenza viruses in an epidemic but cause up to 38% of influenza-related pediatric deaths. Currently licensed
inactivated vaccines do not induce broad protection due to the fast antigenic drift of the viral hemagglutinin on
which these vaccines focus. In this project we are aiming to investigate the cross-protection that influenza B
virus neuraminidase-based antigens can confer and their effect on transmission in the guinea pig model.
Furthermore, we will explore the epitope specificity of this broadly protective immunity. Preliminary data show
that vaccination with B-neuraminidase can protect mice completely from morbidity and mortality when
challenged with antigenically distinct influenza B viruses. More evidence comes from broadly protective
antibodies that bind and inhibit antigenically distinct influenza B virus isolates spanning from 1940 to 2013.
Influenza B viruses - in contrast to influenza A viruses - lack an animal reservoir and only circulate in humans.
A broadly protective vaccine in combination with a high vaccination rate could theoretically be used to
eradicate influenza B virus. This would result in an approximately 25% decrease in the global burden caused
by influenza virus infections. A neuramindase-based immunogen given in combination with or as booster after
regular trivalent influenza virus vaccine could be the golden bullet needed to achieve this goal.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9927562
- **Project number:** 5R01AI117287-05
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Florian Krammer
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $423,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-06-20 → 2021-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9927562

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9927562, Broad humoral protection induced by influenza B neuraminidase-based immunogens (5R01AI117287-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9927562. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*