LEAD ADJUVANT PROBE AS A DUAL TECHNOLOGICAL TOOL TO ADVANCE NEXT-GENERATION VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

Informazioni relative al progetto

ADJUPROBE

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 101138844

DOI

10.3030/101138844

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 15 Novembre 2023

Data di avvio 1 Settembre 2024

Data di completamento 28 Febbraio 2026

Finanziato da

• European Research Council (ERC)

Costo totale

Nessun dato

Contributo UE

€ 150 000,00

Coordinato da

ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOCIENCIAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ADJUPROBE (LEAD ADJUVANT PROBE AS A DUAL TECHNOLOGICAL TOOL TO ADVANCE NEXT-GENERATION VACCINE DEVELOPMENT)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-09-01 al 2026-02-28

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Adjuvants are crucial components of vaccines to boost their performance, increasing the immunogenicity of the antigen and leading to improved overall immunity. Despite the promise of the QS-21 adjuvant, there are still some inherent limitations that preclude its use as a stand-alone adjuvant, including an unknown molecular mechanism of action. The development of new-to-nature QS-21 variants with optimized properties and features has emerged as a practical solution for pharmaceutical and vaccine companies. In ADJUPROBE, we have developed and exploited a semi-synthetic lead adjuvant tool, advancing the innovation potential of our dual technological asset. The overall objectives involved demonstration of the scalability and bioactivity of our adjuvant in preclinical trials, while also validating a well-executed intellectual property strategy and seeking commercialization opportunities for our technology. Moving our asset closer to the market through the creation of a spin-off company would have significant impact at two levels: 1] boosting the economy by promoting industrial innovation and clinical trials, as well as 2] benefiting the health care system and ultimately patients in need for improved vaccine solutions.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

ADJUPROBE has enabled important progress on the technical development of our lead adjuvant tool, yielding access to a scaled-up semi-synthetic saponin candidate with potent activity and no-toxicity as validated in preclinical settings, while also gaining important insights into the basis of their adjuvant function. Moreover, we have consolidated our intellectual property rights plan, obtaining a positive assessment of our PCT application and moving into the corresponding national phases. Likewise, we have delineated a public/private funding roadmap that can support the advancement of our strategy towards spin-off formation for further exploitation of our adjuvant technological tool.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The main results include:

1. Validation of our semi-synthetic technology enabled scalable access to a potent saponin lead. The associated impact relies on the potential to produce this adjuvant tool in gram amounts in anticipation of prospective process development in an industrial setting.
2. Extended preclinical testing of this candidate by evaluation of humoral and cellular immune responses in mouse vaccination models. The superior properties compared to QS-21 speak to the great impact of this result for further development. Despite this demonstration, defining a proper regulatory strategy is necessary before future clinical trials can commence.
3. Establishment of and advancement in our intellectual property rights plan, with a promising international report to our patent application, opening the door to subsequent entry into national phases.
4. Assessment of tech transfer and market opportunities for negotiations towards spin-off formation, which would have an important socioeconomic impact. Moreover, ongoing additional efforts in seeking investors and more public funding are required to move our adjuvant technology forward towards future commercialization.