In an aspect, the invention provides therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers that address challenges associated with conventional administration of free therapeutic peptides. In an embodiment, for example, the invention provides brush polymers incorporating one or more therapeutic peptides as side chain moieties. Therapeutic agents of the invention comprising brush polymers include high-density brush polymers including cross-linked brush polymers and brush block copolymers. In an embodiment, brush polymers of the invention exhibit proteolysis-resistant characteristics and maintain their biological function during formulation and administration. The invention also includes methods of making and using therapeutic agents comprising brush polymers.

According to some embodiments, a method of reducing the spread of infection by a target pathogen in a host comprises binding a carrier to a target areas of the host's cells to reduce a likelihood that the target pathogen binds to the target areas, thereby blocking at least some of the target areas, and providing a gained advantage to the host's immune system to fight a disease caused by the target pathogen, wherein providing the gained advantage comprises decorating the carrier with epitopes to be used as a vaccination at target cell populations.

Compositions containing a nucleic acid nanostructure having a desired geometric shape and antigens bound to its surface are provided. The nanostructures can be, for example, in the form of a 6-helix bundle or icosahedron. The nanostructure design allows for control of the relative position and/or stoichiometry of the antigen bound to its surface. The antigens displayed on the nanostructure surface are arranged with the preferred number, spacing, and 3D organization to elicit a robust immune response. The displayed antigen can be an HIV immunogen such as eOD-GT6, eOD-GT8, or variants thereof. The compositions may thus be useful as immunogens, vaccines, immunostimulators, adjuvants, and the like. Methods of inducing immune responses, inducing protective immunity, inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies or inhibitory antibodies, inducing tolerance, and treating cancer, infectious or autoimmune diseases are also provided.

According to some embodiments, a carrier for reducing a likelihood of a pathogen binding to cell structures of a host comprises a core, surface features extending from an exterior surface of the core, wherein the surface features are configured to bind to target areas of cell structures of the host to at least partially block the pathogen from binding to said target areas as a result of competitive inhibition, and a plurality of binding sites along the exterior surface, wherein the binding sites are configured to attract at least one portion of the pathogen, wherein the binding sites are recognizable by the pathogen and are able to be bound by the pathogen, thereby at least partially immobilizing the pathogen and reducing the likelihood of the pathogen binding to target areas of cell structures of the host.

The present invention provides compositions comprising peptide-coupled biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles. In particular, PLG particles are surface-functionalized to allow for coupling of peptide molecules to the surface of the particles (e.g., for use in eliciting induction of immunological tolerance).

Several embodiments provided in the present disclosure relate to compositions that carry an antigen to which tolerance is desired, the antigen being coupled, bound, or otherwise joined to a targeting moiety, the targeting moiety configured to direct the composition to the liver of a subject. In several embodiments, the antigen in coupled to the targeting moiety by way of a polymeric linker. In several embodiments, the polymeric linker is configured to liberate the antigen in vivo. Methods of using the compositions to reduce and/or prevent unwanted immune responses against an antigen of interest are also provided.

A telodendrimer-nanolipoprotein particle (t-NLP), comprising one or more membrane forming lipids, one or more telodendrimers, and a scaffold protein and a Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) comprising a MOMP hydrophobic region, and related compositions methods and systems.

The present patent application relates to nanoparticles for the delivery and targeting of a non-tumour-specific antigen in cancer cells, comprising a matrix support based on a biocompatible material, the non-tumour-specific antigen, and an adjuvant, for use in recalling, in cancer patients who have a specific immunity for the non-tumour-specific antigen pre-existing to the tumour pathology, the immune response specific to the non-tumour-specific antigen against the cancer cells. A further object of the application is anti-tumour pharmaceutical formulations comprising nanoparticles and kits comprising the aforementioned anti-tumour pharmaceutical formulations in combination with traditional anti-tumour vaccines.

The present disclosure is directed to peptide-polymer conjugates utilizing hydrophilic linkers, and their use in treating diseases or disorders. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a conjugate of Formula I: (X—Y)n-Z Formula (I) wherein each X is independently a peptide having a molecular weight of from about 5 kDa to about 200 kDa; each Y is independently a hydrophilic linker; Z is a biocompatible polymer having a molecular weight of from about 0.1 MDa to about 3 MDa; and subscript n is an integer from 10 to 1000.

The present invention is directed to a nucleic acid suitable for use in treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with a coronavirus, preferably with a Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, or a disorder related to such an infection, preferably COVID-19. The present invention is also directed to compositions, polypeptides, and vaccines. The compositions and vaccines preferably comprise at least one of said nucleic acid sequences, preferably nucleic acid sequences in association a lipid nanoparticle (LNP). The invention is also directed to first and second medical uses of the nucleic acid, the composition, the polypeptide, the combination, the vaccine, and the kit, and to methods of treating or preventing a coronavirus infection, preferably a Coronavirus infection.