Enhanced Synthetic pDNA Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

The present inventive concept relates to direct improvements and enhancements of synthetic pDNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, providing enhanced immunogenicity, stability, and efficacy.

The original patent, 'Synthetic pDNA vaccines against COVID-19', introduced a stable, engineered plasmid-based vaccine. However, the existing vaccine had limitations in terms of receptor binding domain degradation and immunogenicity. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing modified S proteins with enhanced receptor binding domains, optimized epitopes, and co-administered adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity.

The inventive concept comprises a system for inducing immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, featuring a pDNA vaccine encoding a modified S protein with an enhanced receptor binding domain, stabilized by a specific motif to reduce degradation. Additionally, the inventive concept includes a method for preventing or treating SARS-CoV-2 infection by administering a pDNA vaccine encoding a SARS-CoV-2 S protein epitope with improved immunogenicity, optimized for enhanced humoral and cellular responses. The pDNA vaccine is formulated with a plasmid vector encoding a S protein variant with enhanced stability and immunogenicity, comprising a deletion of at least 5 amino acids in the S1 subunit. Furthermore, the inventive concept includes a method for enhancing the efficacy of the pDNA vaccine by co-administering an adjuvant that targets the TLR9 receptor, formulated to enhance the immunogenicity of the S protein epitope. The inventive concept also features a system for rapid production of pDNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, comprising a plasmid vector encoding a S protein variant with optimized codon usage for enhanced expression, and a microfluidic device for high-throughput production of the pDNA vaccine.

The inventive concept's novelty lies in the introduction of modified S proteins with enhanced receptor binding domains, optimized epitopes, and co-administered adjuvants, which provide a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive step is the combination of these elements, which results in a more effective and efficient pDNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different adjuvants, varying the deletion of amino acids in the S1 subunit, or incorporating additional epitopes to enhance immunogenicity. Variations could also include the use of different plasmid vectors, microfluidic devices, or production methods to enhance the efficiency and scalability of the pDNA vaccine production.

The enhanced synthetic pDNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have significant commercial potential in the vaccine market, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The inventive concept could be applied in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare, and could be used to develop vaccines against other diseases as well.