Zika viral antigen constructs

Abstract

Compounds useful as components of immunogenic compositions for the induction of an immunogenic response in a subject against viral infection, methods for their use in treatment, and processes for their manufacture are provided herein. The compounds comprise a nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence which encodes a Zika virus antigen.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An RNA-based vaccine construct encoding a polypeptide comprising a Zika virus prME antigen or a variant thereof,
 wherein the construct encodes a JEV signal sequence or a variant thereof in place of the Zika virus prME signal sequence, and   wherein said construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:19.   
     
     
         2 . A construct according to  claim 1  wherein said JEV signal sequence or variant thereof is juxtaposed immediately next to and N-terminal of the Zika virus prME antigen or variant thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A construct according to  claim 1  wherein said construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO:19. 
     
     
         4 . A composition comprising:
 an immunologically effective amount of one or more of the constructs of  claim 1 ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises a non-viral delivery material. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein non-viral delivery material comprises a submicron cationic oil-in-water emulsion which comprises an oil core, a cationic lipid, and a surfactant. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 4  wherein the composition further comprises one or more nucleic acid sequences which encode one or more additional antigens and/or the composition further comprises one or more additional antigens. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition is pharmaceutically acceptable for administration to a subject in combination with a further composition which comprises a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes an additional antigen; and/or the composition is pharmaceutically acceptable for administration to the subject in combination with a further composition which comprises an additional antigen. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 4  wherein the composition comprises one or more adjuvants. 
     
     
         10 . The construct of  claim 1 ; which is suitable for use in therapy. 
     
     
         11 . A method for inducing an immune response to a Zika virus infection in a subject which comprises administering the construct of  claim 1  to a subject. 
     
     
         12 . A construct according to  claim 2 , wherein said construct comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. 
     
     
         13 . A composition comprising:
 an immunologically effective amount of one or more of the constructs of  claim 2 ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising:
 an immunologically effective amount of one or more of the constructs of  claim 3 ; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the composition comprises a non-viral delivery material. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein said non-viral delivery material comprises a submicron cationic oil-in-water emulsion; a liposome; or a biodegradable polymeric microparticle delivery system. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein said non-viral delivery material comprises a submicron cationic oil-in-water emulsion; a liposome; or a biodegradable polymeric microparticle delivery system. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein said non-viral delivery material comprises a submicron cationic oil-in-water emulsion comprises an oil core, a cationic lipid, and a surfactant. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of any one of  claim 4  which is suitable for use in therapy. 
     
     
         20 . A method for inducing an immune response to a Zika virus infection in a subject which comprises administering the composition of  claim 4  to a subject.