PREFUSION SPIKE PROTEINS (Vaccine Development)
In May 2022, under the auspices of WHO’s COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), MPP signed two licensing agreements with the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the development of 11 innovative therapeutics, early-stage vaccines and diagnostic tools for COVID-19.
Among these COVID-19 technologies is a technology for vaccine development:
Prefusion coronavirus spike proteins and SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike proteins and their use:
NIAID scientists and their academic collaborators invented a molecular engineering approach for stabilising the spike protein of any coronavirus. The spike protein enables coronavirus particles to infect human cells. The strategy, based on previous related research on HIV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), involves locking the spike protein into a prefusion conformation, or shape. Stabilising coronavirus’ spike proteins makes them potent and precise immunogens for use in vaccines. NIH was issued a patent for this invention, which covers specific mutations to stabilise pre-fusion coronavirus spike proteins. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was stabilised using this patented molecular engineering approach. NIH has licensed this pivotal technology to various companies worldwide for use in their COVID-19 vaccine products.
MPP invites interested developers anywhere in the world to express their interest in obtaining a sublicence for any of these technologies by submitting an e-mail to C-TAP-NIH@medicinespatentpool.org providing as much detail as possible as to what the developer intends to do with a sublicence.
| Aim of the licences | To facilitate the manufacture and commercialisation of Covid-19 related health products and vaccines around the world |
| Technology | One licence covers different patents and materials on technologies potentially relevant in the fight against COVID-19. The second licence specifically covers patents on the spike protein. |
| Products | Any product or vaccine that is covered by the Patents or Patent Applications or uses the Licensed Material. |
| Field of use | While one licence on the different technologies is granted for SARS-CoV-2 products for the WHO C-TAP program, the second licence, in relation to spike protein, refers to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for the WHO C-TAP program. |
| Territory | Worldwide |
| Term | Continuing until the date the last Patent has lapsed, expired, or been invalidated |
| Scope of the grant | Non-exclusive right to grant royalty-bearing sublicences to develop the licensed patents/material into licensed products or vaccines, and to commercialise the licensed products or vaccines |
| Sublicence | MPP invites interested developers anywhere in the world to express their interest in obtaining a sublicence for any of these technologies by submitting an e-mail to C-TAP-NIH@medicinespatentpool.org providing as much detail as possible as to what the developer intends to do with a sublicence |
