The invention relates to chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) based on the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (sHBsAg) displaying selected conserved antigenic sequences from the HCV E2 glycoprotein.
The developed constructs form the basis of a next-generation bivalent recombinant vaccine inducing immune responses against both HCV and HBV.
The chosen E2 epitopes show low variability across HCV genotypes and the ability to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies.
The invention enables the development of an effective and safe vaccine for the prevention and treatment of HCV and/or HBV infections
Application:
- Prophylactic vaccine against HCV,
- Bivalent HBV/HCV vaccine based on VLP particles,
- Adjunct immunotherapy after antiviral treatment.
