Main Line Health Researcher Patents Breakthrough Lyme Disease Detection Tools

A researcher at Main Line Health has achieved a significant milestone by securing a U.S. patent for new protein fragments aimed at detecting and potentially preventing Lyme disease. This advancement, which could address a growing public health issue affecting nearly 500,000 Americans annually, was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under U.S. Patent No. 12,364,744 B2 to Dr. Sunil Thomas, a research professor at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research.

Dr. Thomas’s research focuses on protein fragments derived from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. These fragments, referred to as immunogenic peptides, are capable of stimulating immune responses, which could be utilized for both blood testing and vaccine development. “I turned my attention to Lyme disease because the health threat’s prevalence is worsening,” Dr. Thomas stated.

Rising Incidence and Public Health Implications

Once predominantly a concern in the Northeast United States, Lyme disease cases have surged across the country and into Europe and Asia. The impact of climate change has extended the active season for ticks, leading to potential exposure even during winter months. Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites and can result in symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint stiffness, and a distinctive bull’s-eye rash. If left untreated, it can cause severe complications 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 Lankenau Medical Center. Notably, four of these fragments demonstrated substantial protective effects during preclinical testing, indicating their potential as a foundation for an effective vaccine.

Significance of the Patent

Main Line Health officials regard this research as a pivotal step forward. “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,” said George Prendergast, PhD, president and CEO of Main Line Health.

While a previous Lyme vaccine was withdrawn from the market years ago, Dr. Thomas’ innovative research could pave the way for a more effective alternative. His extensive career includes notable contributions to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools, including work on the protein modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Lyme disease cases rising both nationally and globally, leaders at Main Line Health emphasize that these newly patented tools signify a significant advancement toward enhanced diagnostics and the long-awaited possibility of an effective vaccine.