https://www.epo.org/en/node/vaccines

Vaccines

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Vaccines

 

Our patent examiners have prepared these searches related to patents or patent applications for vaccines against coronaviruses which you can explore for yourself:

  • All vaccines against coronaviruses
    This search statement provides an overview of vaccines specifically designed against coronaviruses in general. The limitation to vaccines is achieved by the classes  A61K39/215 (vaccine against coronavirus) or C12N2770/20034 (coronavirus component as a vaccine) or, alternatively, by A61K39/12 in combination with C12N2770/20034 or relevant keywords.
  • Live attenuated or inactivated vaccines
    In this category of vaccines, the immune response against the coronavirus is induced by a pharmaceutical composition comprising a full virus that has been rendered inactive or attenuated, for example by chemical treatment or genetic manipulation.
  • Virus-like particles
    In this category of vaccines virus-like particles (VLPs ) are used. Virus-like particles are comparable to viruses but do not contain the genetic information of the virus. They correspond to an empty shell that presents a coronavirus protein. The absence of genetic information abolishes the risk of viral replication and propagation.
  • Viral vectors as vaccines
    In this category of vaccines, a virus that is non-pathogenic for man, for example an adenovirus, has been modified to express a coronavirus protein. Viral vectors expressing foreign proteins are widely used to induce a strong immune response against various pathogens, including viruses.
  • Nucleic acid-based vaccines
    In this category of vaccines, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein of a coronavirus, for example the spike protein of SARS CoV-2, optionally formulated with liposomes, is administered to a subject. The nucleic acid is often modified to improve the level and duration of expression of the protein it encodes.
  • Nanoparticles
    In this category of vaccines, particles that are formulated with a coronavirus protein or a nucleic acid encoding the protein are used. Such particles are readily internalized into immune cells. Nanoparticles can be organic-based, for example liposomes or polymeric nanoparticles, or inorganic-based such as gold nanoparticles.
  • Antigen-presenting cells
    In this category of vaccines, antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), are engineered to present coronavirus protein fragments on their surface in order to activate immune cells.
  • Adjuvanted vaccines
    In this category of vaccines, additional molecules are present in the formulation in order to potentiate the immune response to the coronavirus protein(s).
  • Administration route
    There are numerous possible routes of administration. Vaccines are often administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly; however other routes such as intranasal, mucosal or oral administration can also be used against coronavirus infection.

Patent analytics gives a deeper dive into the patent landscape. Our patent analysts have created a spreadsheet containing all the search strategies, datasets for vaccines against coronavirus patents and additional statistics in one place for you to download. You can also run the search strategies on your own platform or analyse the datasets yourself. If you are not familiar with how to write or adapt search strategies, our Espacenet pocket guide will help.

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