Licensing Opportunity: Fusion Glycoprotein Vaccine for Human Metapneumovirus

 Licensing Opportunity:

Fusion Glycoprotein Vaccine for Human Metapneumovirus

A. Electron micrograph of purified hMPV F proteins in the prefusion conformation. B. Surface diagram of the hMPV F protein that illustrates different modifications that stabilize the hMPV F protein in the prefusion conformation. Credit: NIAID

NIAID scientists have developed potential vaccine candidates for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), the second leading cause of hospitalization in young children with upper and lower respiratory tract infections and a significant risk to the elderly and immunocompromised adults. There are currently no approved vaccines or effective therapeutic means to control hMPV infection.

Developed using structure-based design, the potential vaccine candidates are based on the viral surface glycoproteins that mediate fusion and entry into the host cell. These fusion (F) proteins have been stabilized in their prefusion conformation, preventing structural rearrangement and exposing antigenically preferable surfaces that elicit broad and potent neutralizing antibodies against viral infection. Read more about this exciting licensing opportunity: https://www.ott.nih.gov/technology/e-260-2014-0.