Emergex Secures Patent for Novel Long-Term T Cell Immunity Influenza A Vaccines

ABINGDON, United Kingdom, Aug. 22, 2024 - Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited, a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in synthetic T cell-priming vaccines for major global infectious diseases, has received a pioneering patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This patent secures the company’s innovative influenza vaccine, which promises long-term T cell immunity against all historical strains of influenza A, including those dating back to 1918, as well as current seasonal variants and heterosubtypic changes.

The newly patented vaccine by Emergex includes immunogenic peptides derived from a unique negative-sense open reading frame (ORF) in segment 8 of the influenza A genome. This discovery is groundbreaking as it is believed to be the first patent involving viral peptides derived from antigenomic translation, indicating that segment 8 of influenza A manifests ambisense characteristics (both negative and positive sense ORFs). This patent grants Emergex exclusive rights to develop this vaccine, which incorporates these immune elements for a level of immune recognition currently unachievable by existing flu vaccines.

For over a century, a large ORF in the negative sense strand of segment 8 in the human influenza A virus (NEG8) has remained conserved. Each epoch change in the NEG8 ORF has historically aligned with the emergence of a global H1N1 pandemic. Though previously not believed to be translated, Emergex has identified several peptides presented by MHC class I molecules on influenza-infected cells encoded by NEG8. These peptides, identified through immunoproteomics, are conserved across influenza A serotypes and represent potential targets for inducing heterologous CD8 T cell immunity. This makes them optimal candidates for inclusion in vaccines geared towards pandemic preparedness. Moreover, incorporating NEG8-derived peptides specific to avian and equine species in the vaccine can potentially extend protection to zoonotic transmissions as well.

Professor Thomas Rademacher, Co-Founder and CEO of Emergex, stated, "Our research into NEG8 has revealed significant potential for a novel approach to influenza vaccines. We are optimistic that a vaccine that includes conserved NEG8-derived MHC class I peptides could provide protection against historical, current, and emerging human influenza viruses, and prevent zoonotic influenza viruses from causing a pandemic in humans. Emergex aims to utilize this NEG8 epitope-containing vaccine to elicit a durable and broadly-protective cellular immune response upon vaccination."

Emergex is preparing to advance this first-in-class influenza vaccine into clinical development, with Phase I trials expected to commence in the first half of 2025.

About Emergex:
Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Abingdon, UK, with a subsidiary in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and a microneedle manufacturing facility in Fremont, California. The company is at the forefront of developing 100% synthetic T cell-priming vaccine candidates that mimic the body's natural T cell immune response to destroy and clear pathogen-infected cells. These vaccines aim to protect against some of the world’s most pressing health threats, including viral infectious diseases like Betacoronaviruses, Dengue Fever, and Pandemic Influenza, as well as intracellular bacterial infections such as tularemia caused by Francisella tularensis.

Emergex’s vaccines are designed for administration through novel microneedles via skin immunization into the epidermal layer, reducing the logistical burden associated with conventional preventative measures. The company's growing proprietary pipeline includes innovative candidates with the potential to provide rapid, broad, and long-lasting prevention against serious illnesses associated with infectious diseases.

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