IC31^® and IC30, novel types of vaccine adjuvant based on peptide delivery systems

Abstract

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have a proven potential to become the adjuvants of the next generation when admixed and formulated with all kinds of vaccine compositions. The quality and magnitude of a vaccine-induced immune response is often strongly facilitated by TLR agonists, with the result that protection is increased and expanded toward type 1-driven immunity. DNA oligodeoxynucleotides bind to TLR9 and have been tested in a variety of vaccine settings with encouraging results. Combining oligodeoxynucleotides with poly-L-arginine (IC30) or certain artificial antimicrobial peptides dramatically improves and synergizes with the adjuvant action of TLR9 agonists, a notion that has prompted the development of IC31^®, an adjuvant with a promising profile in both preclinical and clinical trials.

Keywords::

• adjuvant
• antibody
• protection
• T cell
• Toll-like receptor
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Alexander von Gabain, Karin Riedl and Karen Lingnau are employed by Intercell AG, the company developing IC30 and IC31 as commercial products for vaccine adjuvantation. Thus, they have an interest to make the company to become successful. In their role for the company, employees are bound to governance in communicating research results of the company to the public that are compliant with the legal rules in Europe and in the USA. Alexander von Gabain, Karin Riedl and Karen Lingnau are holding shares and options in the company that is publicly listed at the Austrian Stock Exchange since 2005. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.