IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,433,840
Granted Patent B2
US 12,433,840 · App. 17/675,605 · Granted Oct 7, 2025

Melt processed viral nanoparticle constructs

Inventors: Nicole F. Steinmetz (San Diego, CA); Jonathan Pokorski (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
A61K9/1647A61K39/00C08K11/00A61K38/00A61K2039/54C08K2201/011
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,433,840
App. No.
17/675,605
Granted
Oct 7, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A construct includes a melt processed blend of a biodegradable polymer and viral nanoparticles. The viral nanoparticles are encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer matrix of the biodegradable polymer. The viral nanoparticles include a plurality of immunogenic peptides conjugated to the viral nanoparticles. The construct upon administration to a subject providing sustained release of the viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides from the matrix to the subject. The released viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides eliciting an immunogenic response in the subject.

Claims (25)

1. A construct comprising:

a melt processed blend of a biodegradable polymer and viral nanoparticles, wherein the viral nanoparticles are encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer matrix of the biodegradable polymer, the viral nanoparticles including a plurality of immunogenic peptides conjugated to the viral nanoparticles, the construct upon administration to a subject providing sustained release of the viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides from the matrix to the subject, the released viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides eliciting an immunogenic response in the subject.

2. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the conjugated immunogenic peptides upon release from the polymer matrix eliciting substantially the same or enhanced immunogenic response as immunogenic peptides conjugated to viral nanoparticles not encapsulated within the biodegradable polymer.

3. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of immunogenic peptides are conjugated to outer surfaces of the viral nanoparticles with linkers.

4. The construct of claim 3 , wherein the linker is heterobifunctional linker.

5. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the viral nanoparticles are substantially uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix.

6. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer material has a melt temperature below the degradation temperature of the viral nanoparticles.

7. The construct of claim 5 , wherein the biodegradable polymer material comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or a copolymer thereof and optionally at least one porogen.

8. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the viral nanoparticles include bacteriophages, plant viruses, and/or plant virus-like particles.

9. The construct of claim 1 , the viral nanoparticles having a release profile from the biodegradable polymer matrix at least partially defined by the degradation of the biodegradable polymer material under physiological conditions.

10. The construct of claim 1 , including up to about 25% by weight of the viral nanoparticles.

11. The construct of claim 1 , wherein the melt processing of biodegradable polymer and the viral nanoparticles is at a Peclet number of about 5 to about 25.

12. The construct of claim 1 , being configured as a plurality of microparticles or microneedles.

13. A single dose vaccine implant comprising:

a biodegradable polymer; and

a plurality of viral nanoparticles melt processed with and encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer matrix that includes the biodegradable polymer, the viral nanoparticles including a plurality of exogenous immunogenic peptides conjugated to the viral nanoparticles, the implant upon administration to a subject providing sustained release of the viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides from the matrix to the subject, the released viral nanoparticles and conjugated immunogenic peptides eliciting an immunogenic response in the subject.

14. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the conjugated immunogenic peptides upon release from the polymer matrix eliciting substantially the same or enhanced immunogenic response as immunogenic peptides conjugated to viral nanoparticles not encapsulated within the biodegradable polymer.

15. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of immunogenic peptides are conjugated to outer surfaces of the viral nanoparticles with heterobifunctional linkers.

16. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the viral nanoparticles are substantially uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix.

17. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the biodegradable polymer material has a melt temperature below the degradation temperature of the viral nanoparticles and immunogenic peptide.

18. The implant of claim 13 , wherein the biodegradable polymer material comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or a copolymer thereof and optionally at least one porogen.

19. The construct of claim 13 , wherein the viral nanoparticles include bacteriophages, plant viruses, and/or plant virus-like particles.

20. The implant of claim 13 , the viral nanoparticles having a release profile from the biodegradable polymer matrix at least partially defined by the degradation of the biodegradable polymer material under physiological conditions.

21. The implant of claim 13 , including up to about 25% by weight of the viral nanoparticles.

22. The implant of claim 13 , being configured as a plurality of microparticles or microneedles.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2025
From: STEINMETZ, NICOLE F.; POKORSKI, JONATHAN
To: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 071800/0556 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 15, 2025
From: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 071120/0977 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 16347503
Provisional Application 63150976 · Feb 18, 2021
Provisional Application 62417000 · Nov 3, 2016
Related Publication 20220211628A1 · Jul 7, 2022
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