# Effectiveness of R848 conjugated IPR8 as a vaccine for the elderly

> **NIH NIH R21** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $193,750

## Abstract

Elderly individuals are highly susceptible to influenza virus-mediated disease. In fact, the CDC estimates that
71-85% of the deaths that occur in the U.S. as a result of complications of influenza virus infection occur in
those over 65 years of age. Although the flu vaccine can provide significant protection to the population as a
whole, it is poorly effective in the elderly. This is likely the result of the impaired immunity present in this group.
While a high dose option has been developed, efficacy is still lower than desired and the 4-fold increase in
dose significantly increases the cost of the vaccine as well as the ability to rapidly produce it if needed. We
have developed an influenza vaccine approach that is comprised of inactivated A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 influenza
virus coupled to the TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848). We have shown this vaccine to be highly stimulatory in
a neonate NHP model. Here we present compelling data that a second generation vaccine based on this
approach is capable of quantitatively and qualitatively increasing DC maturation and cytokine production in DC
from elderly human donors and NHP, providing rationale that it may be an effective vaccine in vivo. The
vaccine will be tested in a cohort of aged NHP (17-22 years old). These animals approximate humans between
the ages of 68 and 88. The results from these studies will provide the critical information needed to determine
the potential utility of this vaccine approach. We also propose mechanistic studies using DC from elderly
human donors to understand how our vaccine promotes the robust stimulation observed. This will provide
novel insights into the mechanism through which improved DC maturation can be obtained.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9949629
- **Project number:** 5R21AI137741-02
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Martha Ann Alexander-Miller
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $193,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-10 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9949629

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9949629, Effectiveness of R848 conjugated IPR8 as a vaccine for the elderly (5R21AI137741-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9949629. Licensed CC0.

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