At CD BioSciences, we specialize in providing cutting-edge antigen discovery and design services tailored specifically for vaccine development against Human Herpesviruses (HHVs). With a focus on addressing the challenges posed by viral immune evasion, latency, and diversity across herpesvirus subfamilies, our platform integrates bioinformatics-driven antigen mining, immune epitope prediction, structure-based design, and experimental validation. These capabilities enable our partners to rapidly identify, evaluate, and optimize immunogenic targets with high translational potential for both prophylactic and therapeutic HHV vaccine candidates.
Why Antigen Design Matters in HHV Vaccine Development
HHVs present a unique challenge due to their ability to:
- Establish lifelong latency and periodic reactivation
- Display antigenic variability across strains and clinical isolates
- Encode immune-modulatory proteins that dampen host responses
Thus, traditional whole-virus or empirical subunit approaches often fall short in eliciting robust and durable immunity. Rational antigen discovery and design can:
- Focus immune responses on conserved, immunodominant regions
- Enhance presentation via MHC I and II pathways
- Reduce off-target responses and toxicity
- Improve efficacy across diverse HHV strains and patient populations
Our Comprehensive Antigen Discovery & Design Workflow
CD BioSciences offers an end-to-end antigen discovery pipeline for HHVs, integrating computational and experimental strategies:
Genomic & Proteomic Mining
- In silico mining of HHV genomic and proteomic databases (e.g., HSV-1/2, VZV, CMV, EBV, KSHV)
- Comparative analysis across clinical isolates to identify conserved proteins
- Prioritization based on essentiality, conservation, surface accessibility, and known roles in viral entry, latency, or immune evasion
Epitope Prediction & Immunoinformatics
- T-cell epitope prediction using MHC class I and II algorithms (e.g., NetMHCpan, IEDB tools)
- B-cell epitope mapping using conformational and linear epitope models
- Population-specific HLA coverage analysis
- Filtering based on epitope density, clustering, and immunodominance scores
Structure-Based Antigen Design
- Homology modeling or structure retrieval from PDB for target viral proteins
- Structure-guided redesign of immunodominant epitopes
- Optimization of conformational stability, epitope exposure, and solubility
- Fusion construct design (e.g., multi-epitope vaccines, chimeric antigens)
Codon Optimization & Gene Synthesis
- Codon optimization for selected expression systems (mammalian, bacterial, insect)
- Synthesis of full-length antigen genes or epitope strings
- Incorporation of tags, linkers, or secretion signals as needed
Experimental Antigen Validation
- Expression and purification of designed antigens in preferred hosts
- Evaluation of expression yield, folding, and antigenicity
- ELISA and flow cytometry-based binding assays with patient sera or monoclonal antibodies
- T-cell activation assays using donor PBMCs or cell lines
Unique Strengths of CD BioSciences
HHV-Focused Expertise
We bring in-depth expertise across all 9 HHVs, including:
- Structural and functional knowledge of key antigens (e.g., gB, gD, gH/gL, ORF73/LANA, gp350, pp65)
- Experience with latency- and reactivation-associated proteins
- Deep familiarity with strain-specific polymorphisms and clinical relevance
Multi-Platform Capability
Our integrated platforms span:
- Bioinformatics & AI-driven discovery
- Molecular cloning and synthetic biology
- Protein expression systems (E. coli, HEK293, CHO, Sf9)
- Assay development and immunological testing
Customization & Flexibility
We support a variety of vaccine platforms including:
- Protein subunit vaccines
- DNA/mRNA vaccines
- Viral vector-based vaccines
- Multi-epitope peptide vaccines
Each project is customized to match the client’s downstream strategy, regulatory considerations, and target indication.
Regulatory Readiness
Our data packages are designed with IND-enabling requirements in mind, supporting:
- Sequence traceability
- Bioinformatics documentation
- Immunogenicity and safety assessments
- CMC compatibility
Application Areas
Our Antigen Discovery & Design services support a wide range of HHV vaccine programs, including:
| HHV Type | Vaccine Focus | Target Applications |
| HSV-1/2 | gD/gB antigens, latency antigens | Genital herpes, orolabial herpes |
| VZV | gE-based fusion constructs | Shingles, varicella reactivation |
| CMV | pp65, gB, IE antigens | Congenital infection, transplant prophylaxis |
| EBV | gp350, EBNA1, LMP2 | Mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma |
| KSHV | ORF73/LANA, K8.1 | KS, PEL, MCD vaccine research |
Project Workflow with CD BioSciences
- Project Design & Consultation
– Define target HHV, vaccine platform, project objectives - Bioinformatics & Epitope Screening
– Deliverable: antigen candidates, epitope maps, HLA coverage analysis - Antigen Design & Synthesis
– Deliverable: sequence constructs, gene synthesis, expression plan - Expression & Purification
– Deliverable: purified antigen, QC report, SDS-PAGE & ELISA validation - Immunogenicity Assessment (Optional)
– Deliverable: immune cell assays, cytokine profiling, antibody response
Each milestone is accompanied by detailed data reports, version-controlled construct designs, and scientific support.
Partner with Us
At CD BioSciences, we are committed to accelerating your HHV vaccine development with precision antigen design services rooted in deep virology, immunology, and molecular biology expertise. Our experienced team, specialized platforms, and client-centric approach make us a reliable partner for antigen discovery from concept to IND-enabling candidate.
Whether you are initiating exploratory studies or optimizing a lead vaccine candidate, we welcome the opportunity to support your goals with innovative, HHV-focused solutions.
References
- Borthwick, N. (2015). Vaccine design: epitope-based strategies. Clinical & Experimental Immunology, 180(2), 256–266.
- Pichichero, M. E. (2013). Protein carriers of conjugate vaccines: characteristics, development, and clinical trials. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 9(12), 2505–2523.
- Akira, S., Uematsu, S., & Takeuchi, O. (2006). Pathogen recognition and innate immunity. Cell, 124(4), 783–801.
- Sun, Y., et al. (2016). Multi-epitope vaccine prediction against human herpesvirus using reverse vaccinology. Vaccine, 34(6), 789–795.
- Barry, P. A., et al. (2022). Cytomegalovirus vaccine development: navigating the complexities of latency and diversity. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 20, 367–381.
Related Services
Vaccine Candidate Construction & Evaluation
Adjuvant & Formulation Screening
Pre-clinical Immunogenicity & Efficacy Package