Vaccine Research and Development

mRNA technology is highly adaptable, and can be modified quickly to target different pathogens. In the event of a public health emergency, this can enable rapid vaccine development as the manufacturing processes are transferable. AI can help developers to identify regions with low vaccine uptake. Utilizing this data, educational campaigns can be targeted to those regions to increase immunization rates. Screening of a virus The sequence is retrieved for antigenic proteins Selection of epitopes for vaccine development Vaccine design Prediction of T- and B-cell epitopes Structural prediction and molecular docking AI tools can accelerate the identification of potential antigens and predict vaccine candidates’ effectiveness. A typical workflow utilizing AI might look like this: mRNA vaccines do not use live virus particles, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions to immunization. As the target protein is produced by the cell’s own machinery, activation of both humoral and cellular immune responses can occur. Traditional vaccines can require growing a virus in the lab, which is time-consuming. For mRNA vaccines, this is not a requirement. 4 million 50 million 14 million more than 25 VACCINES AT A GLANCE Vaccines are considered to be one of the greatest public health achievements by the World Health Organization (WHO). Across the planet, these biological preparations protect millions of lives from once-deadly diseases every day. This infographic highlights the remarkable advances in vaccine research and development that have transformed the world of immunization. annual deaths are prevented by childhood vaccination* deaths will be prevented between 2021–2030 due to immunization* lives will be saved through measles vaccination alone by 2030* safe and effective vaccines exist* *according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Development Vaccine Research & The COVID-19 global pandemic has ushered in a vaccines “golden era”. Long-term investment in vaccine manufacturing has been prioritized, as has the pursuit of novel vaccine platforms. Let’s take a look at some of the most recent advances across vaccine design, development, manufacturing and distribution. Multiomics in Vaccine research & development Transcriptomics Epigenomics Metabolomics Lipidomics Proteomics Genomics Glycoproteomics Secretomics MultiOmics data Study of the interactions, function, composition and structures of proteins and their cellular activities. The study of the genes in DNA, their function and their influence on the cells, tissues and organisms. Study of epigenetic modifications on the genetic material of a cell. Study of the secretome, all the secreted proteins of a cell, tissue or organism. Identifies, catalogs and characterizes proteins that contain carbohydrates as post-translational modifications. Study of the lipidome pathways and networks of cellular lipids in biological systems. Study of chemical processes involving metabolites, the small molecule substrates, intermediates and products of cell metabolism. Study of the entire set of RNA transcripts that are produced by the genome at a given moment in a cell, tissue or organism. Next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry (MS) and other high-throughput approaches are enabling scientists to collect multiomics data on a large scale, building comprehensive and systematic pictures of biological processes – including human disease. Examples of delivery methods being explored are: mRNA vaccines carry several advantages over other approaches, such as: Since the first mRNA vaccine was authorized for human use in the global pandemic, mRNA vaccine development continues to thrive. Examples of recent developments include: P P ` Clinical syndromes Vaccines Pathogenic mechanisms Multiomics data is facilitating the vaccine design process, where reverse vaccinology is considered a proficient and cost-effective approach. Reverse vaccinology involves screening a pathogenic genome to identify genes that are associated with promising vaccine targets, such as outer membrane proteins. Pinpointing the biological mechanisms that underly strong humoral and cell-mediated immune responses can support the development of material platforms capable of spatially and temporally controlling the interaction of vaccine components with immune cells. To design safe and effective vaccines against challenging pathogens, a comprehensive understanding of how the immune system – and other biological processes – develop and respond to pathogens is paramount, particularly in vulnerable populations. The plasma proteome has been used to successfully characterize the trajectory of the newborn immune system during the first week of life, for example. Systems vaccinology uses omics data to understand the complex mechanisms that occur when an immune response is prompted by a vaccine. Multiomics methods were used to characterize temporal molecular responses following vaccination with hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. The results show that baseline characteristics of an individual’s immune system can influence vaccine response. Vaccine design Vaccine delivery Host response to Vaccine immune profiling disease phenotype determination prediction of complications metabolic and immune changes pathway analysis biomarker changes histopathological features novel vaccine platforms Earlier generations of vaccines were based on toxoids (inactivated toxins) or whole microorganisms (in an alive or inactivated form). Novel candidates are “minimalistic” in comparison; they either comprise a piece of a pathogen or genetic material that encodes a protein from the pathogen to illict an immune response. Let’s take a closer look at mRNA vaccines. Uses a dead form of a pathogen that has been inactivated using chemicals, heat or radiation. The sequence corresponding to the mRNA is inserted into a plasmid within a cell. The plasmid is placed in a reactor where enzymatic reactions trigger the synthesis of the mRNA. The mRNA encoding a specific antigen of the infectious pathogen is created from a DNA template. This DNA sequence can be shared globally through computer systems in an instant. The mRNA is then purified through methods such as chromatography to remove enzymes, remaining nucleotides and defective mRNA. mRNA delivery: as mRNA is unstable, scientists are working on various methods to encapsulate it for delivery into the body. Messenger ribonucleid acid (mRNA) encoding a particular viral protein induces endogenous production of the protein in the recipient’s cells. A certain piece of pathogen, such as a sugar protein or capsid, is used to generate an immune response. A toxin produced by the pathogen that causes a disease is used. A weakened form of the antigen that causes a disease is used to generate an immune response. inactivated Subunit, polysaccharide, conjugate and recombinant mRNA toxoid live-attenuated 1 2 3 4 Lipid-based delivery Polymer-based delivery Peptide-based delivery Virus-like replicon particle Cationic nanoemulsion Naked mRNAs Dendritic cell-based mRNA vaccines Pandemic preparedness Reduce adverse effects Can stimulate strong immune responses Rapid development the impact of AI Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a substantial impact on vaccine development in a short period of time. future advances in vaccine manufacturing Several countries have made public announcements pledging to expand their domestic vaccine production capabilities. But how do we manufacture and distribute safe vaccines faster? Let’s explore some options. Developing a versatile foundational framework that can be adapted as required to generate new vaccines for related viruses. Biotechnology platform-based vaccine development To further optimize large-scale viral vaccine production, the industry must embrace: • new approaches to optimize cell culture medium • new cell culture schemes • more efficient and safer cell lines • progress of automation technology Enhancing the precision and consistency of cell culture models In 2022, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced that ~$17.5 million will be made available to vaccine developers and tech companies working on innovations to support temperature-stable vaccines for use in low- and middle-income countries. Ensuring vaccine stability during the cold chain process has been a major challenge historically, particularly in resource-limited settings. Recent strides in thermostable vaccine technology have led to the creation of vaccines that remain potent even at higher temperatures, reducing waste and enabling broader distribution to remote regions. Thermostable vaccines Nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities for vaccine delivery. Nanoparticles can act as carriers, effectively transporting vaccine components to specific cells or tissues, enhancing the vaccine’s effectiveness. Vaccine-containing microarray patch (VMAPs), an alternative to intramuscular and subcutaenous immunization approaches, are currently in development. VMAPS offer several advantages, including enhanced safety during administration, reduced reliance on cold chains, facilitating simpler storage and transportation and eliminating the risks associated with needle waste. novel delivery approaches Sponsored by: An mRNA-based vaccine to induce liver tissueresident memory T cells has shown promise against the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium in preclinical models. Authorization applications have been made to regulatory bodies for an mRNA vaccine to prevent respiratory syncytial virus-associated lower respiratory tract disease. Late-stage trials are commencing to test personalized mRNA-based vaccines for skin cancer, in combination with immunotherapy. The success of clinical trials can be supported using AI by assisting with participant recruitment, ensuring participant diversity and retainment. This data can support vaccine development at various stages of the pipeline. Manufacturer National storage facility Heath center Vaccination outreach Regional hospital