Understanding virus-like particles (VLPs)

Medicago created a plant-based technology that uses plants as bioreactors to produce non-infectious structures of viruses called virus-like particles (VLPs).

VLPs mimic the native structure of viruses, allowing them to be easily recognized by the immune system. Because the VLPs lack core genetic material, they are non-infectious and unable to replicate.

In short, VLPs mimic the structure of the virus, but they are empty. It’s like our researchers had created nutshells that do not contain any nuts.

They mimic the structure of the virus to induce an immune response similar to a natural infection.

VLPs mimic the structure of viruses

Infectious influenza virus with a surface antigens, lipid membrane, internal proteins and genetic materials

Représentation d'un virus et d'une particule pseudo-virale PPV par Medicago

Medicago’s VLP is a non-infectious and an efficient way of presenting antigens to the immune system

VLP Hero

Superhero VLPs

Plant-based virus-like particles (VLPs) are at the heart of the technology used in the development of Medicago vaccines. Designed to create effective protection against the virus they mimic, they can contribute to the fight against pandemics. They are like a superhero whose mission is to help protect human health around the world.

Antigen-Display technology

Medicago has demonstrated the power of VLPs as their size and structure shows the potential to allow for a broad immune response.

With its Antigen-Display technology, Medicago is developing platforms based on enveloped or capsid VLPs that can incorporate and display antigens designed to target diverse diseases.

This is particularly useful in cases where the target antigen is ineffective without an adjuvant or when the antigenic sequence is a part of a protein that is difficult to produce or formulate.

Medicago’s Journey to Develop Its Influenza Vaccine