Immunogens derived from SARS-CoV2 spike protein
The present invention relates to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (“SARS-CoV2”) immunogens useful for the generation of therapeutic antibodies and vaccine development. Such therapeutic antibodies include human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to human SARS-CoV2 S protein, and that function to neutralize SARS-CoV2. The present invention also relates to methods of generating antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to human SARS-CoV2 S protein.
1 . An immunogen comprising a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike (“SARS-CoV2 S”) polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-21.
2 . The immunogen of claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises a trimerization domain attached to the C-terminus of the polypeptide.
3 . The immunogen of claim 2 , wherein the trimerization domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84 or SEQ ID NO: 85.
4 . The immunogen of claim 3 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 32-40.
5 . A method of producing antibodies that specifically bind SARS-CoV2 S polypeptide comprising administering to a non-human subject the immunogen of any one of claims 1 and 2-4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle and/or adjuvant.
6 . A method of treating COVID-19 in a subject comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody produced by the method of claim 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle to the subject.
7 . A composition capable of producing an immunological response in a human subject, the composition comprising the immunogen of any one of claims 1 and 2-4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle and/or adjuvant.