A researcher at Main Line Health has achieved a significant milestone by securing a U.S. patent for innovative protein fragments that could enhance the detection and prevention of Lyme disease. This development offers renewed hope against a growing public health threat that now afflicts nearly 500,000 Americans each year. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted U.S. Patent No. 12,364,744 B2 to Dr. Sunil Thomas, a research professor at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, which is part of Main Line Health.
Dr. Thomas’ research focuses on protein fragments derived from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. These fragments, termed immunogenic peptides, are capable of stimulating immune responses. Such responses can be leveraged for both blood testing and the development of vaccines.
Addressing a Rising Health Threat
Dr. Thomas expressed his motivation for researching Lyme disease, noting that its prevalence has been increasing. Once primarily confined to the Northeast of the United States, Lyme disease cases are now being reported across the country, as well as in Europe and Asia. Factors such as climate change have contributed to a longer active season for ticks, allowing for greater exposure to the disease, even during winter months.
Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and can lead to symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint stiffness, and a characteristic bull’s-eye rash. If left untreated, it can result in severe complications, potentially affecting the nervous system, joints, and heart.
Dr. Thomas and his team identified six protein fragments that elicited strong immune responses in blood samples tested at the Lankenau Medical Center. Notably, four of these fragments exhibited significant protective effects during preclinical testing, suggesting they could serve as a foundation for an effective vaccine.
Hope for Effective Prevention
Leaders at Main Line Health view this research as a crucial advancement in combating Lyme disease. Dr. George Prendergast, President and CEO of Main Line Health, stated, “Dr. Thomas’ formulations show the potential for the necessary superior results at a time when the disease’s spread is growing without any clinical tools available for its effective prevention.”
While a previous Lyme vaccine was withdrawn from the market years ago, Dr. Thomas’ work may pave the way for a more effective alternative. His career includes numerous innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic development, including significant contributions to understanding proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the incidence of Lyme disease rising both in the United States and globally, officials at Main Line Health assert that the newly patented tools represent a critical step toward improving diagnostics and the long-awaited development of an effective vaccine. This breakthrough may ultimately enhance public health efforts to combat Lyme disease, providing a much-needed resource in the fight against this persistent and growing health challenge.
