Therapeutics & Vaccines
Improved Production of Influenza Virus, Including H1N1, for Vaccine Manufacture
WARF: P100078US02
Inventors: Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Taisuke Horimoto, Shin Murakami
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a method and composition for improving production of vaccines against influenza viruses, including H1N1.
Overview
The H1N1 influenza virus, known as the “swine flu,” has been declared a pandemic. While this virus is less virulent than many circulating strains of flu virus, it has become the subject of significant public health efforts, including international stockpiling of vaccine. However, this virus is less amenable to high titer production than many of the more common influenza viruses, making vaccine manufacture challenging.
The Invention
UW-Madison researchers have identified a single point mutation in the haemagglutinin (HA) gene of the H1N1 virus that enhances viral titer. Introducing the mutation into vaccine seed viruses could lead to higher titer production of the viruses, improving vaccine manufacture.
Applications
- Production of H1N1 vaccine
- Production of vaccines against other viruses
- Viral mutagenesis studies
- Identification of other HA mutations that alter growth of influenza virus
Key Benefits
- Significantly improves growth of influenza virus in cultured cells, including Vero cells
- Enhances manufacturing of influenza vaccines, including vaccines against the H1N1 strain
- Does not require helper virus
Stage of Development
This mutation enhanced replication of H1N1 more than 1000 times in a cell line approved for human vaccine production.
Additional Information
Related Technologies
Related Intellectual Property
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Gottwald at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9854