VACCINE DEVELOPMENT BOARD GAME

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to a board game that explains and teaches vaccine development. The board game seeks to provide a teaching tool that can be played by one or more players. Player tokens are positioned at a starting position on a game board that includes a scoring track and a turn counting track. Each player token is assigned pay coins and a turn token is positioned on a turn counting track. Initial conditions are recorded on disease boards. At each turn, the players each initiate an action phase; a vaccine production phase; and a vaccine sales phase. The action phase is initiated by executing three randomly selected actions from a group. Vaccine sales are initiated by identifying a best-in-class vaccine for each disease board. For each best-in-class vaccine, the associated player token is advanced along the scoring track based on the number of distributed vaccine units representing the immunization points.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to board games and specifically to a vaccine development board game. Vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting you against harmful diseases before you come into contact with them. It uses your body's natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger. Vaccines train your immune system to produce antibodies, just as it does when it is exposed to a disease. However, because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or bacteria, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications. Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with the body's natural defenses to build protection. When a person gets a vaccine, his (her) immune system responds by recognizing the foreign compounds derived from viruses or bacteria (also called antigens), as it was the viruses or bacteria themselves, and produces antibodies.

Antibodies are proteins produced naturally by the immune system to fight disease; and remembering the disease and how to fight it. If a person is exposed to the germ in the future, their immune system can quickly destroy it before you become unwell. The vaccine is therefore a safe and clever way to produce an immune response in the body, without causing illness. The human immune system is designed to remember. Once exposed to one or more doses of a vaccine, it typically remains protected against a disease for years, decades or even a lifetime. This is what makes vaccines so effective. Rather than treating a disease after it occurs, vaccines prevent us in the first instance from getting sick.

The development of a vaccine represents a specific and complex stepwise process to ensure the most favorable benefit-risk balance before the vaccine commercialization and distribution phases that result in the immunization of the at-risk populations. Depending on the vaccine design, vaccines can protect against a single disease or against several diseases at the same time (combination or “combo” vaccines). The efficacy of a vaccine can also be impacted when the targeted virus or bacteria mutate. The infectious agents undergo a natural antigenic evolution through antigenic drift and shift in their antigens. The changing nature and specificities of diseases require adapted strategies to develop best-in-class vaccines.

Vaccinology is the science of vaccines and deals with scientific concepts that may not be fully understandable by non-experts. With the Covid-19 pandemic, people have become aware of the importance of developing potent vaccines to quickly protect vulnerable populations. More students are contemplating the pursuit of a career in the medical or allied health professions. They will be required to take courses in vaccinology. It is crucial to make science understandable to everyone through innovative learning methods including educative games (e.g., board games and digital apps). Games designed by scientific experts can help raise health consciousness by making scientific concepts accessible to all age groups in a simple and funny way.

Modern and realistic games dealing with actual health issues represent a powerful and universal communication tool to equip the current and future generations with the knowledge required to take on the biggest public health challenges, such as the COVID19 pandemic. The space would benefit from a teaching tool that addresses vaccine hesitancy issues. Such a solution can arguably trigger discussions between teachers and their students, as well as parents and their children, to help everyone make informed decisions about their health.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a vaccine development game board (“game board”) for playing a vaccine development board game, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a “quick” version of a vaccine development game board for playing the vaccine development board game, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a dividing board, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a disease board, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates vaccine needs dice, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an outbreak vaccine needs dice, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a clinical study dice, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates a layout for a ten-sided antigen dice, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 7B illustrates perspective view of several of the antigen dice of FIG. 7A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a layout for a six-sided toxicology study dice, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a layout for a six-sided combo incompatibility dice, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a layout for a six-sided vaccine price dice, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a layout for a six-sided outbreak mutation dice, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a technology and expertise (“T&E”) card, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of a study card, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a vaccine development card, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of an outbreak disease board, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 16A illustrates a top view of a public opinion dial, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 16B illustrates a top view of a production capacity dial, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of playing the vaccine development board game, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of performing a toxicology study, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart depicting operational steps to sell a best-in-class vaccine and to update the related vaccine needs, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart depicting operational steps to update the outbreak vaccine needs in the outbreak expansion version of the vaccine board game, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart depicting operational steps to update the target antigen value of the outbreak disease when the virus mutates, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a patent management phase in the patent expansion version of the vaccine board game, in accordance with other embodiments.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart depicting additional operational steps of the patent management phase in the patent expansion version, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart depicting operational steps to define disease accessibility and vaccine stability in the “last mile” expansion version of the vaccine board game, in accordance with yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart depicting additional operational steps to deliver vaccines in the “last mile” expansion version, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the instant have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Certain terminology may be employed in the following description for convenience rather than for any limiting purpose. For example, the terms “forward” and “rearward,” “front” and “rear,” “right” and “left,” “upper” and “lower,” and “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made, with the terms “inward,” “inner,” “interior,” or “inboard” and “outward,” “outer,” “exterior,” or “outboard” referring, respectively, to directions toward and away from the center of the referenced element, the terms “radial” or “horizontal” and “axial” or “vertical” referring, respectively, to directions or planes which are perpendicular, in the case of radial or horizontal, or parallel, in the case of axial or vertical, to the longitudinal central axis of the referenced element, the terms “proximate” and “distal” referring, respectively, to positions or locations that are close or away from a point of reference, and the terms “downstream” and “upstream” referring, respectively, to directions in and opposite that of fluid flow. Terminology of similar import other than the words specifically mentioned above likewise is to be considered as being used for purposes of convenience rather than in any limiting sense.

In the figures, elements having an alphanumeric designation may be referenced herein collectively or in the alternative, as will be apparent from context, by the numeric portion of the designation only. Further, the constituent parts of various elements in the figures may be designated with separate reference numerals which shall be understood to refer to that constituent part of the element and not the element as a whole. General references, along with references to spaces, surfaces, dimensions, and extents, may be designated with arrows. Angles may be designated as “included” as measured relative to surfaces or axes of an element and as defining a space bounded internally within such element therebetween, or otherwise without such designation as being measured relative to surfaces or axes of an element and as defining a space bounded externally by or outside of such element therebetween. Generally, the measures of the angles stated are as determined relative to a common axis, which axis may be transposed in the figures for purposes of convenience in projecting the vertex of an angle defined between the axis and a surface which otherwise does not extend to the axis. The term “axis” may refer to a line or to a transverse plane through such line as will be apparent from context. The terms “a” and “an” refer to “at least one” or “one or more” of that which it precedes. The term “card” refers to a flat (planar), usually geometrically shaped piece of substantially stiff paper, cardboard, composite or polymeric material. The term “board” refers to a flat (planar), usually geometrically shaped piece of paper, cardboard, composite or polymeric material that, in some embodiments, can be rolled or folded.

Vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting you against harmful diseases before you come into contact with them. The United States Center for Disease Control defines immunization as a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. The immunization process leverages your body's natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger. Vaccines train your immune system to produce antibodies, just as it does when it is exposed to a disease. However, because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or bacteria, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications.

The present invention seeks to provide a teaching tool for players to learn about vaccines. It is proposed that at least one useful incentive for using the game in a classroom setting may be for example to receive credit points for playing the game and completing related hands-on workshop activities. The space would benefit from a teaching tool that describes how vaccines are produced.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a board game for explaining how vaccines are developed. Other aspects of the present invention seek to a board game that can be played by one or more players. Additional aspects of the instant disclosure seek to a board game that creates an entertaining playing and learning environment pertaining to the development of vaccines. The instant board game seeks to provide a game board, game pieces for each player that are advanced around the board, dice that are rolled to trigger specific actions during the game play, currency in the form of pay coins, various learning elements including information cards, all working together to create a fun and learning environment.

The vaccine development board game theme revolves around addressing threatening diseases and fast-spreading, outbreaks, There each player leads a pharmaceutical company that develops vaccines that attempt to immunize against the aforementioned diseases. The goal of each player is to protect the most at risk population against infectious diseases. Each player is challenged to develop effective vaccines by discovering the best antigenic formulations, launch clinical trials, manage production capacity to address the needs, and define an appropriate pricing strategy. The vaccine development board game can be played in four modes, “Competitive Mode,” “Quick Competitive Mode,” “Cooperative Mode,” and “Solo Mode,” are described in the instant disclosure.

The vaccine development board game also includes several game expansion modes: “Outbreak” to teach players about to the viral variants and antigenic drift, “Last Mile” to teach players about vaccine stability and delivery, and “Patents” to teach players about scientific patenting and licensing. In certain embodiments, the vaccine development board game includes are “Open Innovation” expansion mode that allows the players to collaborate with research institutes or small biotech companies that have already developed some vaccines available for licensing. In some ways, this expansion mode gives access to pre-designed vaccines that can be acquired to accelerate the development of the players' vaccine portfolios.

In the “Competitive Mode,” the goal is for each player to develop and manage a portfolio of vaccines. The player that immunizes the most people and has the most Victory Points by the end of the last turn wins the game.

In the “Quick Competitive Mode”, the players start the game play with pre-assigned T&E cards that define the profiles of their companies. The T&E cards can be randomly distributed to each player or the players can take turns selecting their cards one by one from the marketplace. Once the profiles of each company are defined, the goal is for each player to develop and manage their portfolio of vaccines. The player that immunizes the most people and has the most Victory Points by the end of the last turn wins the game.

In the “Cooperative Mode”, the players openly develop their vaccines together to eradicate the diseases. The immunization points are not counted as the goal is to cooperatively eradicate all the diseases before the end of the last turn. The Cooperative Mode has the particularity to allow the players to sell vaccines that target the same disease without competing for the sales. In other words, the principle of “best-in-class” vaccines and the vaccine comparison rules do not apply in this Mode.

In the “Solo Mode”, the player develops a vaccine portfolio to eradicate all the diseases before the end of the last turn. Some T&E cards can be randomly pre-assigned at the beginning of the game play while the rest of the T&E cards are drawn by the player to be strategically used during the game play.

The Figures (hereinafter “FIGS.”) of the instant disclosure are presented herein to describe the various components and game steps of the vaccine development board game (“board game”). The instant board game includes a plurality of components that allow one or more players to learn about vaccine development. As depicted in FIG. 1, the instant board game includes a game board, generally 100, that includes a scoring track 105 positioned proximate to a turn counting track 115. The game board 100 is a playing surface that allows players to track game progress.

Although the game board 100 is preferably a rigid playing surface, the component can alternatively be a surface that can be rolled up and/or folded for storage. The scoring track 105 includes a first sequentially numbered track 110. The scoring track 105 is used to display the number of people immunized based on the number of vaccines distributed by a company (or a player). Here, a single immunization equals one vaccine need addressed by the sale of one vaccine production unit. The turn counting track 115 includes a second sequentially number track 120. The first sequentially numbered track 110 and the second sequentially number track 120 are preferably linear, but they can also be circular in other embodiments. A starting position 111 is positioned on the scoring track 105. Each player token 112 is preferably associated with one or more players.

Similar to the game board 100, the game board 200 is for playing a “quick” version of the vaccine development game board that includes two or more scoring tracks 205 that each include a first sequentially numbered track 210 and a starting position 211 (depicted in FIG. 2). The game board 200 includes a turn counting track 215 that includes a second sequentially numbered track 220. During multiplayer game play in a competitive mode, each player uses a dividing board 300 to preferentially mask their game components (depicted in FIG. 3). The dividing board 300 is preferably a self-standing single- or multi-sectioned blind that hinders view of a player's game components from other players. The board game also includes a plurality of disease boards 400 (depicted in FIG. 4A) that include a disease ID 401, a vaccine needs value 405, a target antigen value 410, a base vaccine price 415, and a combo incompatibility value 420. As used herein, the base vaccine price and the recommended vaccine price are used interchangeably. The disease boards 400 include an erasable surface to allow reusability by removing any recorded information thereon.

The vaccine needs value 405 describes the number of vaccines that are needed to treat or prevent the associated disease. The vaccine needs value 405 is determined by rolling a six-sided vaccine needs dice (depicted in FIG. 4B) that includes a plurality of increasing values randomly positioned on its sides. For example, the values can include two first numerical values 455 (e.g., 20), two second numerical values 460 (e.g., 30), and two third numerical values 465 (e.g., 40). To be sure, other alternative values can be used. The target antigen value 410 is a three-digit value comprising a hundreds place, a tens place, and a ones place. In other embodiments, target antigen value 410 is a four-digit value comprising a thousands place, a hundreds place, a tens place, and a ones place. For each disease board 400, the target antigen value 410 is preferably determined by rolling three different antigen dice (e.g., three ten-sided antigen dice 700 of FIG. 7A) to determine the value of the hundreds place, the tens place, and the ones place. FIG. 7A depicts a numerical layout of the ten-sided antigen dice 700, according to certain embodiments.

The ten-sided antigen dice 700 includes randomly positioned consecutive numerical values that consist of 0-9 on its sides (i.e., non-repeating numerical values). FIG. 7B depicts three different ten-sided antigenic dice 700a, 700b, and 700c, according to other embodiments. In some aspects, any combination of the antigen dice 700 having any values can be used. The target antigen value 410 is preferably determined by rolling the ten-sided antigen dice 700a for the hundreds place, ten-sided antigen dice 700b for the tens place, and ten-sided antigen dice 700c for the ones place.

The base vaccine price value 415 reflects the recommended price of any vaccine a player or company produces to treat or prevent the disease of the disease board 400. The base vaccine price value 415 is determined by rolling a six-sided vaccine price dice 1000 (depicted in FIG. 10) that includes a plurality of values (e.g., 50, 50, 60, 80, 100, and 120) randomly positioned on its sides. In other embodiments, the six-sided vaccine price dice 1000 can include alternative price values than depicted. The combo incompatibility value 420 influences the development of “combo” vaccines only where the value reflects an indicium that cannot be used to formulate that particular vaccine.

The combo incompatibility value 420 is preferably determined by rolling a six-sided incompatibility dice 900 (depicted in FIG. 9) that comprises a plurality of indicia (e.g., a first indicia 905, a second indicia 910, a third indicia 915, a fourth indicia 920, and a null value 925) randomly positioned in its sides. For example, the first indicia 905 prevents the players to add reagent values in their vaccine formula if they choose to develop a combo vaccine to target a disease. The second indicia 910 prevents the players to multiply reagent values in their vaccine formula if they choose to develop a combo vaccine to target a disease. The third indicia 915 prevents the players to subtract reagent values in their vaccine formula if they choose to develop a combo vaccine to target a disease. The fourth indicia 920 prevents the players to divide reagent values in their vaccine formula if they choose to develop a combo vaccine to target a disease. The null value indicia 925 indicates the absence of constraints to formulate a combo vaccine to target a disease. In this latter case, the reagent values can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided in the players' vaccine formulas as for a single vaccine.

The board game also includes a plurality (e.g., twenty-one) of technology and expertise (hereinafter “T&E”) cards 1200 (reflected in FIG. 12). The T&E cards 1200 are purchased by the players (using pay coins) to support the vaccine development process and acquire specific skills. For example, a first T&E card 1200 that allows its holder to obtain a plurality of research reagents (e.g., two) at no cost each turn. A second T&E card 1200 that allows its holder to develop a combo vaccine by bypassing any incompatibility constraints (i.e., the combo incompatibility value 420). A third T&E card 1200 that allows its holder to purchase more than 2 production units per action (e.g., 3 production units per action) to promptly increase a player's manufacturing capacity. A fourth T&E card 1200 that allows its holder to waive a toxicology evaluation. Here, the holder's tox score is raised to four (4) by default and the card's usage is not a requirement.

A fifth T&E card 1200 that provides the holder with two production units and expands his production capacity to six extra units. A sixth T&E card 1200 that grants a reroll of the clinical study dice 600 when a vaccine study fails (i.e., a phase I/II study or a phase III study). A seventh T&E card 1200 that reduces preclinical study cost by a predetermined study cost percentage (e.g., fifty percent or other percentage). An eighth T&E card 1200 that provides an additional public opinion point during each turn. For example, the eighth T&E card 1200 can reflect a company's commitment to support immunization campaigns in developing countries.

A ninth T&E card 1200 that increases vaccine efficacy by a predetermined efficacy percentage (e.g., five percent or other percentage). A tenth T&E card 1200 that launches a vaccine and does not count as an action. For example, the tenth T&E card 1200 can reflect a company's mastery of the regulatory steps required to launch new vaccines. An eleventh T&E card 1200 that grants a reroll of the Toxicology dice 800 to select the highest result as the Toxicology value (“TV”) 1420. A twelfth T&E card 1200 that gives to its holder an exclusive access to a new research reagent with a value of 3. The following T&E cards 1200 allow players to develop antigenic formulas and can be used in combination to improve vaccine efficacy.

A thirteenth T&E card 1200 that develops antigenic formulas by adding research reagent values and is preferably available by default. A fourteenth T&E card 1200 that develops antigenic formulas by multiplying research reagent values. A fifteenth T&E card 1200 that develops antigenic formulas by subtracting research reagent values. A sixteenth T&E card 1200 that develops antigenic formulas by dividing research reagent values.

As part of the “Patent” expansion, a seventeenth T&E card 1200 that files a patent or withdraws a patent without counting it as an action. For example, the seventeenth T&E card 1200 can reflect a company's mastery of the intellectual property management steps required to file and manage patent applications. An eighteenth T&E card 1200 that provides its holder the ability to file more than one patent. The player owning this T&E card 1200 receives at least one additional patent board. As part of the “last mile” expansion, a nineteenth T&E card 1200 that increases vaccine stability by a predetermined value (e.g., 2 degrees Celsius or other value) for all the vaccines developed by a player. A twentieth T&E card 1200 that reduces by at least one day the accessibility of each region. For example, the twentieth T&E card 1200 can reflect a company's mastery of the vaccine distribution steps required to deliver vaccines around the world. The player owning this T&E card 1200 can draw at least one vaccine distribution card fewer during the vaccine distribution phase. A twenty-first T&E card 1200 that reduces the cost of the vaccine stability cards by a predetermined cost percentage (e.g., fifty percent or other percentage).

FIG. 13 depicts a study card 1300, according to some embodiments. The board game includes plurality of study cards 1300. The study card 1300 includes a study title 1305, a study price 1310 (e.g., a predetermined value), and a study results value 1315. The study title 1305 can be “Toxicology Study In Vitro Model,” “Toxicology Study Animal Model,” “Clinical Study Phases I/II,” or “Clinical Study Phase III.” The board game preferably includes twelve (12) of each type of study for a total of forty-eight (48) of the study cards 1300. The study cards 1300 are purchased using pay coins; however, in vitro model studies are more expensive compared to animal model studies. In certain embodiments, the price of a clinical Phases I/II study is more expensive than a toxicology study, and a clinical Phase III study is more expensive than a clinical Phases I/II study. The toxicology and clinical studies are preferably successively performed in the following order: a toxicology study (in vitro model or animal model), a Phases I/II study and a Phase III study.

To perform a toxicology study, a six-sided toxicology dice 800 (depicted in FIG. 8) that comprises a plurality of values (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; or other sequential values) randomly positioned thereon is rolled to determine a toxicology value (“TV”) and recording the TV on the associated vaccine development card. For toxicology study animal models, one clinical dice 600 (depicted in FIG. 6) can be removed during clinical testing when TV is 1; and one clinical dice 600 is added during clinical testing when TV is 6. For toxicology study in vitro models, one clinical dice 600 can be removed during clinical testing when TV is 1 or 2; and one clinical dice 600 is added during clinical testing when TV is 5 or 6. Performing a toxicology study with an in vitro model grants at least one public opinion point to the player.

FIG. 14 depicts a vaccine development card, generally 1400, according to yet still other embodiments. The board game also includes a plurality (e.g., twelve) of the vaccine development cards 1400 that are each used to develop a vaccine. The vaccine development card 1400 includes an erasable surface to allow reusability by removing any recorded information thereon. The vaccine card 1400 preferably includes a vaccine ID 1405, a vaccine efficacy value 1415, a player's vaccine price value 1410 (player determined), a toxicology value 1420, a vaccine production unit value 1425, and an antigenic formula 1430.

FIG. 16A depicts a public opinion dial 1600, according to other embodiments. Each player can have a public opinion board or a public opinion dial 1600 that displays a public opinion point count and sales impact values (or a sales impact percentage). This tool is used to teach how public opinion can impact vaccine sales. The public opinion dial 1600 includes a first window 1605 that displays the “public opinion point count” and a second window 1610 that displays “sales impact values.” The public opinion dial 1600 includes a front panel that is geometrically shaped and an inner panel that is geometrically shaped. The front panel includes the first window 1605 and the second window 1610. The inner panel rotates relative to the front panel. In inner panel includes the public opinion point counts sequentially positioned in an outer ring and sales impact values sequentially positioned in an inner ring.

Hence, rotating the public opinion dial 1600 simultaneously advances or decreases the public opinion point count and the sales impact values. The sales impact values are negative when the public opinion point count is less than a threshold amount (e.g., 5). For example, public opinion point count can be 1-10 and sales impact values can reflect −20%, −50%, and −80% for public opinion levels 4 or 3, 2, and 1, respectively. To be sure, the vaccine production unit value is reduced by negative sales impact values. During play, the public opinion point count increases by at least one when the player's vaccine price value is less than the base vaccine price value. The public opinion count also increases when a player performs a Tox study with an in vitro model or when a player launches a vaccine against the outbreak disease. In some embodiments, the public opinion and the production capacity parameters are managed via a dual-layered board with small cubes or markers to indicate the public opinion score and production capacity level.

FIG. 16B depicts a production capacity dial 1650, according to some embodiments. The production capacity board or production capacity dial 1650 displays the vaccine production unit value 1425 that a player may produce each turn. The vaccine production unit value represents the number of vaccine units that a player can sell. Production capacity can be increased by investing in manufacturing and/or by acquiring specific T&E cards 1200. The production capacity dial 1650 includes a top plane 1670 positioned over a first numbered disk 1675 and a second numbered disk 1680 that are each rotatably affixed to the top plane 1670. The top plane 1670 includes a window 1655 centrally positioned thereon that displays a portion of the first numbered disk 1675 and the second numbered disk 1680. The window 1655 displays a player's production unit value where the first numbered disk 1675 provides the tens place value 1660 and the second numbered disk 1680 provides the ones place value 1665.

To play the vaccine board game each player receives three vaccine cards, one of the T&E cards 1200 (e.g., the thirteenth T&E card 1200), a player token 112, a production capacity dial 1650, a public opinion dial 1600, a predetermined amount of pay coins (e.g., 3000 pts), and a dividing board 300. Subsequent to shuffling, four T&E cards 1200 are positioned face-up where everyone can reach them and represent the T&E marketplace. The remaining cards are placed face down in a stack. Every time that a player purchases a T&E card 1200, a new card is drawn from the stack to replace the empty space. Research reagent token are separated per type and placed in four stacks (one reagent type per stack). The four types of research reagent token include a plurality of numerical values (e.g., 2, 10, 50, and 80). The study cards 1300 are placed in four stacks (one study type per stack). All dice are placed to be accessible to each player. The pay coins are organized to represent the bank.

The method steps illustrated in FIGS. 17-25 reflect some or all of the steps required to play the vaccine board game; however, an alternative number of steps can be used. FIG. 17 is a flow chart depicting the methods steps during a game play with the competitive mode. At Step 1700, the player token(s) are positioned at the starting position 111 on the game board 100 and progress therefrom during the game play. In “Quick Competitive Mode,” the player token(s) are positioned at the starting position 211 on the game board 200. At Step 1705, each player is assigned a predetermined amount of pay coins. At Step 1710, the turn token is positioned at the initial turn position 122 on the turn counting track 115. Alternatively, in the “Quick Competitive Mode,” an initial turn position 221 is positioned on counting track 215 (FIG. 2). At Step 1715, for each of disease board 400, initial conditions are recorded that consist of the vaccine need value 405, the target antigen value 410, the base vaccine price value 415, and the combo incompatibility value 420.

At each turn, Steps 1720-1740 occur sequentially. At Step 1720, each player initiates an action phase by executing three actions randomly selected from a group consisting of purchasing research reagents, acquiring a technology or expertise, performing a tox study, performing a clinical study, increasing production capacity, launching a new vaccine into the market and removing a vaccine from the market. At Step 1725, each player initiates a vaccine production phase that includes recording vaccine production unit values 1425 and player's vaccine price values 1410 on the vaccine cards 1400 to thereby generate a plurality of marketable vaccines.

At Step 1730, each player initiates a vaccine sales phase that includes identifying a best-in-class vaccine for each disease board 400. For example, the best-in-class vaccine is the marketable vaccine that comprises a highest vaccine efficacy value 1415 against a disease of the disease board 400. At Step 1735, for each best-in-class vaccine, the associated player token 112 is advanced along the scoring track 105 according to the vaccine production unit value 1425 of the vaccine development card 1400. At Step 1740, the turn token 121 is sequentially advanced on the turn counting track 115. FIG. 18 is a flow chart depicting the method steps of performing a toxicology study, according to certain embodiments. At Step 1800, an animal toxicology study card 1300 is purchased at a first toxicology price or an invitro toxicology study card 1300 is purchased at a second toxicology price using the pay coins.

At Step 1805, the six-sided toxicology dice 800 is rolled to determine the toxicology value and the toxicology value is recorded to the associated vaccine development card 1400. After completion of the toxicology study, a player may finance a Phase I/II study and a Phase III study using their pay coins. To perform a clinical study, three six-sided clinical study dice 600 are rolled, unless the number of dice is modified by the toxicology value 1420 as described above. As reflected in FIG. 6, the six-sided clinical study dice 600 includes three success indicia 605 and three failure indicia 610 randomly positioned thereon to determine a study result 1315. The clinical study result 1315 is deemed successful when the roll results in at least one of the clinical study dice 600 reflecting the success indicia 605 when rolled. Here, the associated vaccine development card 1400 is validated when the study result 1315 is deemed successful. The clinical result 1315 is a failure when the roll results in all of the clinical study dice 600 reflecting the failure indicia 610.

The sub-steps discussed in Step 1720 (FIG. 17) can be accomplished in a variety of way. For example, production capacity (discussed in Step 1720) can be increased by purchasing up to two production units per action. Launching the new vaccine on the market is typically accomplished when the phase III study is associated with the success clinical result and includes designating the associated vaccine development card 1400 as a “marketable vaccine.” Removing a vaccine from the market can include designating the “marketable vaccine” as “an under-performing vaccine” that requires optimization or cancelation.

The vaccine efficacy value 1415 is 100 minus an antigenic difference, which is the positive difference of the target antigen value 410 of a disease and a vaccine antigen value. The vaccine antigen value is determined via an antigenic formula 1430 that is derived from the purchased research reagents arranged as described in the owned T&E cards 1200. Recording the vaccine production unit value 1425 for a marketable vaccine includes determining a vaccine production unit value that equals at least a portion of a sum of production units 1655 available to the player as determined on the production capacity dial 1670. Recording the player's vaccine price value 1410 for a marketable vaccine includes determining the vaccine price value to be a multiple of 10 and at least equal to 100 when only one marketable vaccine is launched by the player; and determining the player's vaccine price value 1410 to be a multiple of 10 and at least equal to 20, where a summation of the player's vaccine price values is at least 100 when more than one marketable vaccine is launched by the player.

Identifying the best-in-class vaccine preferably includes comparing the vaccine efficacy values 1415 of marketable vaccines for one of the disease boards 400 and identifying the highest vaccine efficacy value 1415 thereof. If the vaccine efficacy values 1415 are equal, the player's vaccine price value 1410 that has the lowest price determines the best-in-class vaccine. If the vaccine efficacy values 1415 and associated player's vaccine price values 1410 are equal, then the player with the greatest public opinion summation 1605 determines the best-in-class vaccine. If the vaccine efficacy values, associated player's vaccine price values, and public opinion scores are all equal, then the greatest toxicology value 1420 determines the best-in-class vaccine. In case of a tie, the toxicology dice 800 is rolled and the highest result determines the best-in-class vaccine. A public opinion point is taken away (defined as an “inaction penalty”) from any player that fails to launch a vaccine during a turn.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart depicting the method steps to sell the best-in-class vaccine, in according to some embodiments. Selling the best-in-class vaccine includes further steps. At Step 1900, the best-in-class vaccine is sold for pay coins for a sales value that is determined using the vaccine production unit value 1425 and the player's vaccine price value 1410. At Step 1905, the vaccine needs value 405 is reduced by the vaccine production unit value 1425.

The vaccine development phase can also include a combination of vaccines that uses one of the vaccine development cards 1400 to simultaneously target two disease boards 400. The combination vaccine (or “combo vaccine”) includes a combo base vaccine price that is chosen from the greatest base vaccine price value 415 of the two disease boards 400. The target antigen value to be considered for the development of the “combo vaccine” is chosen by the player from the two target antigen values 410 of the two disease boards. The “combo vaccine” also includes a combo vaccine production unit that equals twice the actual amount of the vaccine unit value 1425 defined on the vaccine development card 1400. In other words, during vaccine sales, one vaccine unit of a combo vaccine is counted twice for the number of immunizations points. The vaccine needs values 405 of each targeted disease board 400 are then updated by subtracting the vaccine units sold.

The end point of the vaccine board game can be reached when one of the following occurs: when the vaccine need value 405 of each of the disease boards 400 equals zero; when the turn token 121 is advanced to the final turn position (e.g., position “15”) on the turn counting track 115; or when one of the player tokens 112 is advanced to a final scoring position (e.g., position “100”) on the scoring track 105. When the end point is reached, a victor is identified as the player that has amassed the greatest summation of victory points. For example, one victory point is achieved for each immunization point, five victory points are granted for each marketable vaccine, and two victory points are granted for each T&E card 1200 owned by a player at the end of the game play. Extra victory points (e.g., 5) are given to a player if his public opinion summation 1605 is equal or superior to a certain threshold (e.g., 9) at the end of the game play.

A “quick competitive” version of the vaccine board games is played using the game board 200. Here, each player is issued an equal amount of T&E cards 1200 and a lower budget compared to regular play.

An “outbreak” version of the vaccine board game brings a new disease board 400 into the standard game with the particularity that this viral disease evolves over time. In other words, the vaccine needs change every turn and the virus can mutate (i.e., change its target antigen value). This version also includes an outbreak mutation dice 1100 that includes two primary drift indicia 1105, a secondary drift indicium 1110, a shift indicium 1115, and two null value indicia 1120 randomly positioned in its sides. Here, the outbreak disease board 1500 (FIG. 15) has no combo incompatibility value 420 since it cannot be included in a combination vaccine. In other words, only single vaccines can target the outbreak disease.

The outbreak version adds an additional phase in the game turn and follows the vaccine sale phase. FIG. 20 is a flowchart depicting method steps to engage in the outbreak version of the vaccine board game, in accordance with yet still other embodiments. The steps of FIG. 20 occur subsequent to advancing the turn token 121. At Step 2000, a potential disease mutation is determining by rolling a six-sided outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 (FIG. 5). For example, the outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 includes a plurality of values that includes a first numerical value, a second numerical value, and a third numerical value (e.g., 20, 30, 40, respectively) and three non-numerical values 505 randomly positioned on its sides. At Step 2005, updating the outbreak vaccine needs value 1505 when the outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 results in 20 or 30. At Step 2010, updating the outbreak vaccine need 1505 and initiating an “external funding program” when the outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 results in 40. For example, the external funding program can be a predetermined amount of pay coins that are allotted to the player that generates a best-in-class outbreak vaccine within two subsequent turns. That player can also be allotted a predetermined amount of public opinion points (e.g., 2 or more) upon the launch of a vaccine against the outbreak disease.

When the outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 results in the nonnumerical value 505, the virus “mutates” as described in FIG. 21. Here, the term “mutate” refers to a change or update in the target antigen value 1510. At Step 2100, the target antigen value 1510 is updated when the outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 results in a non-numerical value and subsequently rolling a six-sided outbreak mutation dice 1100 that includes two primary drift indicia 1105, a secondary drift indicium 1110, a shift indicium 1115, and two null values 1120 randomly positioned in its sides.

At Step 2105, rolling the third antigen dice 700 (e.g., the antigen dice 700c) to update the ones place when the primary drift indicium 1105 results. At Step 2110, rolling the second antigen dice 700 (e.g., the antigen dice 700b) and the third antigen dice 700 (e.g., the antigen dice 700c) to update the tens place and the ones place, respectively, when the secondary drift indicium 1110 results. At Step 2115, rolling the first antigen dice 700 (e.g., the antigen dice 700a) to update the hundreds place when shift indicium 1115 results. Subsequent to updating the target antigen value 1510, the outbreak vaccine needs value 1505 is updated by rolling the six-sided outbreak vaccine needs dice 500 until 20, 30, or 40 results. Any marketable vaccines that target the outbreak disease has their vaccine efficacy 1415 potentially impacted by the mutation of the virus.

The vaccine development board game can include a “patent” component with the “patent” expansion version, that allows the players to protect their vaccine formulas with patents and to share their vaccine research with other players through patent licenses. This phase can be played in conjunction with the competitive mode. The patent phase typically includes a plurality of patent boards (e.g., 5 or other predetermined number), a patent end token for each patent board, and a six-sided dice from 1 to 6 (e.g., the toxicology study dice 800). Here, each player receives one of the patent boards and one of the patent end tokens.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart depicting method steps of the patent phase, according to certain embodiments. Steps depicted in FIG. 22 occur during the vaccine development stage where a player can protect his antigenic formula by filing a patent application. Here, filing a patent application counts as an action. At Step 2200, a patent is applied for by recording the antigenic formula. At Step 2205, a filing fee is paid using the pay coins. At Step 2210, a six-sided dice like the six-sided toxicology dice 800 is rolled (to determine filing approval). At Step 2215, the patent is determined to be approved when the dice result is 3 or greater. At Step 2220, the patent is determined to be not approved when the dice result is less than 3.

The method steps of FIG. 23 are undertaken when the patent is approved. At Step 2305, the patent board is displayed. At Step 2310, positioning a patent end token on the turn counting track three subsequent turns (or another predetermined number of turns) ahead of the turns token's current position. At Step 2315, collecting licensing rewards (as extra victory points granted to the patent owner) to allow other players to use the recorded antigenic formula until the turn token lands on the patent end token. At Step 2320, when the turn token lands on the patent end token, a patent extension fee is paid to position the turn token an additional two turns.

In other words, paying the patent extension fee extends the life of the patent for two turns (or another predetermined number of turns). However, when the patent extension fee is not paid the patent terminates and the patent falls into the public domain where the other players can use the antigenic formula without the requirement of a license. To be sure, use of a portion of the antigenic formula of a patent does not require a license from the patent's owner.

The vaccine development board game can include a “vaccine stability” component with the “last mile” expansion version. For example, during the distribution process, vaccines are “exposed” to temperature excursions (i.e., fluctuations) that impact their efficacy. To limit this cold chain fluctuation impact, the players need to develop antigenic formulas that are sufficiently stable to be delivered. The vaccine stability component can be used with all the modes of the vaccine development board game. This game expansion includes accessibility tokens (that each define shipping times of two or more days), vaccine stability cards (that each define vaccine temperature stability range, such at least 2° C.), and vaccine delivery cards (that each define a temperature excursion of at least 2° C. on at least 2 production units). During play, the vaccine stability cards, and the vaccine delivery cards are shuffled separately to form two decks placed in the middle of the game play.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart depicting method steps of the vaccine stability component, according to other embodiments. The method steps of FIG. 24 occur during the vaccine development phase. At Step 2400, assigning an accessibility token (e.g., randomly) to each of the disease boards, each accessibility token includes a numerical accessibility value that reflects an accessibility time frame (or delivery time frame). At Step 2405, each player purchases up to two (or other predetermined amount) vaccine stability cards per action using the pay coins, each vaccine stability card includes a numerical stability value that reflects a stability temperature threshold. Players are not obliged to purchase vaccine stability cards; however, their vaccine will not tolerate any temperature excursions.

Each vaccine delivery card represents a potential temperature excursion that is then compared to the vaccine stability cards of the vaccine. For example, FIG. 25 is a flowchart depicting additional method steps of the vaccine stability component, according to yet still other embodiments. The method steps of FIG. 25 occur during the vaccine sale and delivery phase. At Step 2500, each player draws a number of vaccine delivery cards equal to the numerical accessibility value. Each vaccine delivery card includes a temperature increase value and an impacted unit value. At Step 2505, when the temperature increase value is greater than the numerical stability value displayed on the vaccine stability card, the production units 1425 of the associated best-in-class vaccine available for sale are decreased by the impacted unit value. If the vaccine is sufficiently stable, all of the production units are sold and delivered. The number of delivered units are paid and the number of immunization points are added on the scoring track 105. If the vaccine is not sufficiently stable, some or all units may be impacted by the temperature excursions and are rendered unusable. The player does not collect any payment and immunization points related the impacted units. To be sure, some vaccine delivery cards can convey no temperature excursions.

The game is not limited to a set of boards, dice and cards, and may also be played on a computer, a tablet or a smartphone. A computer game embodiment of the invention can employ a multi-person game played over the internet, or can employ a computer, a tablet or a smartphone as a board game companion to assist the players during the game play.

Based on the foregoing, methods for a vaccine development board game have been disclosed in accordance with the instant disclosure. However, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of the instant disclosure. Therefore, the instant disclosure has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation.

Claims

1. A method for a board game to explain and teach how vaccines are developed, comprising: positioning at least one player token at a starting position on a game board, the game board comprising a scoring track and a turn counting track, the scoring track comprising a first sequentially numbered track, the turn counting track comprising a second sequentially numbered track, the starting position is positioned on the scoring track, each player token associated with a player;for each player token, assigning a predetermined amounts of pay coins;positioning a turn token at an initial turn position on the turn counting track;for each of a plurality of disease boards that each represent a disease, recording initial conditions that consist of a vaccine needs value, target antigen value, base vaccine price value, and combo incompatibility value;for each position on the turn counting track, each player initiating an action phase by executing three actions randomly selected from a group consisting of purchasing research reagents, acquiring a technology or expertise, performing a tox study, performing a clinical study, increasing production capacity, launching a new vaccine into the market, and removing a vaccine from the market;subsequent to the action phase, each player initiating a vaccine production phase comprising recording vaccine production unit values and player's vaccine price values on vaccine development cards to thereby generate a plurality of marketable vaccines;subsequent to the vaccine production phase, each player initiating a vaccine sales phase comprising identifying a best-in-class vaccine for each disease board, the best-in-class vaccine is the marketable vaccine that comprises a highest vaccine efficacy value against a disease of the disease board; andfor each best-in-class vaccine, advancing the associated player token along the scoring track according to the vaccine production unit value of the vaccine development card; reducing the vaccine needs value of the targeted disease board; andadvancing the turn token on the turn counting track sequentially.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaccine needs value is determined by rolling a six-sided vaccine needs dice that comprises a plurality of values that consist of 20, 30, and 40 randomly positioned on its sides;the target antigen value is a three-digit value comprising a hundreds place, a tens place, and a ones place;the target antigen value is determined by rolling a first ten-sided antigen dice for the hundreds place, a second ten-sided antigen dice for the tens place, and a third ten-sided antigen dice for the ones place, the first ten-sided antigen dice comprises randomly positioned consecutive numerical values that consist of 0-9 on its sides, the second ten-sided antigen dice comprises the randomly positioned consecutive numerical values on its sides, the third ten-sided antigen dice comprises the randomly positioned consecutive numerical values on its sides;the base vaccine price value is determined by rolling a six-sided vaccine price dice that comprises a plurality of values that consist of 50, 50, 60, 80, 100, and 120 randomly positioned on its sides; andthe combo incompatibility value is determined by rolling a six-sided incompatibility dice that comprises a first indicium, a second indicium, a third indicium, a fourth indicium, and a null value randomly positioned in its sides, the first indicium excludes additions in the vaccine antigenic formula of a combo vaccine, the second indicium excludes multiplications in the vaccine antigenic formula of a combo vaccine, the third indicium excludes subtractions in the vaccine antigenic formula of a combo vaccine, the fourth indicium excludes divisions in the vaccine antigenic formula of a combo vaccine, and the null value indicates the absence of constraints to formulate the vaccine antigenic formula of a combo vaccine.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein purchasing research reagents comprises purchasing up to three research reagents using the pay coins;acquiring the technology or expertise comprises purchasing one of a plurality of technology and expertise (T&E) cards using the pay coins;performing the tox study comprises: purchasing an animal toxicology study card at a first toxicology price or an invitro toxicology study card at a second toxicology price using the pay coins, the second toxicology price is greater than the first toxicology price;rolling a six-sided toxicology dice that comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 randomly positioned thereon to determine a toxicology value (“TV”) and recording the TV on one of the vaccine development cards;performing the clinical study comprises: purchasing a phase I/II study or a phase III study using the pay coins, rolling a plurality of six-sided clinical study dice that each comprise three success indicia and three failure indicia randomly positioned thereon to determine a clinical result, the clinical result reflects success when at least one of the clinical study dice reflects the success indicium when rolled, the clinical result reflects failure when all of the clinical study dice reflect the failure indicium when rolled;validating the vaccine development card associated when the clinical study result reflects success;increasing production capacity comprises purchasing up to two production units;launching the new vaccine on the market, when the phase III study is associated with the success clinical result, comprises designating the vaccine development card as a marketable vaccine; andremoving the vaccine from the market comprises designating the marketable vaccine as an under-performing vaccine that requires optimization or cancelation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of technology and expertise cards (“T&E cards”) comprise: a first T&E card to obtain a plurality of research reagents at no cost each turn;a second T&E card that develops a combo vaccine by bypassing any incompatibility constraints;a third T&E card that allows the purchasing of more than 2 production units per action to promptly increase a player's manufacturing capacity;a fourth T&E card that waives a toxicology evaluation;a fifth T&E card that provides two production units and expands production capacity to six extra units;a sixth T&E card that allows a reroll of the clinical study dice when a vaccine study fails;a seventh T&E card that reduces preclinical study cost by a predetermined study cost percentage;an eighth T&E card that adds one public opinion point each turn;a ninth T&E card that increases vaccine efficacy by a predetermined efficacy percentage;a tenth T&E card that launches a vaccine and does not count as an action;an eleventh T&E card that allows a reroll of the toxicology dice to select the highest result as the toxicology value;a twelfth T&E card that grants an exclusive access to a new research reagent (value of 3);a thirteenth T&E card that develops antigenic formulas by adding research reagent values;a fourteenth T&E card that develops antigenic formulas by multiplying research reagent values;a fifteenth T&E card that develops antigenic formulas by subtracting research reagent values;a sixteenth T&E card that develops antigenic formulas by dividing research reagent values;a seventeenth T&E card that files or withdraws patents and does not count as an action;an eighteenth T&E card that provides the ability to file more than one patent;a nineteenth T&E card that increases vaccine stability by a predetermined value for all the vaccines developed by a player;a twentieth T&E card that reduces by at least one day the accessibility of each region; anda twenty-first T&E card that reduces the cost of the vaccine stability cards by a predetermined cost percentage.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the vaccine efficacy value is 100 minus an antigenic difference;the antigenic difference is a positive difference of the target antigen value of a disease and a vaccine antigen value; andthe vaccine antigen value is determined via an antigenic formula that comprises the purchased research reagents arranged as described in the owned T&E cards.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing the toxicology study comprises: when the animal toxicology study card is purchased, rolling the six-sided toxicology study dice, removing one of the clinical dice from clinical testing when TV is 1, or adding an additional clinical dice during clinical testing when TV is 6; andwhen the in vitro toxicology study card is purchased, rolling the six-sided toxicology study dice, removing one of the clinical dice from clinical testing when TV clinical study dice is 1 or 2, adding an additional clinical dice during clinical testing when TV is 5 or 6.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein recording the vaccine production unit values comprises, for each marketable vaccine: determining a vaccine production unit value that equals at least a portion of a sum of production units available to the player;recording the determined vaccine production unit value;recording the player's vaccine price values comprises, for each marketable vaccine: when one marketable vaccine is available, determining the player's vaccine price value to be a multiple of 10 and at least equal to 100; andwhen more than one marketable vaccine is available, determining each of the player's vaccine price values to be a multiple of 10 and at least equal to 20, a summation of the player's vaccine price values is at least 100.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the best-in-class vaccine comprises: comparing vaccine efficacy values of marketable vaccines for one of the disease boards and identifying the highest vaccine efficacy value;when vaccine efficacy values are equal, a lowest player's vaccine price value determines the best-in-class vaccine;when vaccine efficacy values and associated player's vaccine price values are equal, a greatest public opinion score determines the best-in-class vaccine;when vaccine efficacy values, associated player's vaccine price values, and public opinion scores are equal, a greatest toxicology value (TV) determines the best-in-class vaccine; andwhen vaccine efficacy values, associated player's vaccine price values, public opinion scores and TV values are equal, the highest toxicology dice result determines the best-in-class vaccine.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the best-in-class vaccine comprises: selling the best-in-class vaccine for pay coins for a sales value that is determined using the vaccine production unit value and the player's vaccine price value; andreducing the vaccine needs value of the targeted disease by the vaccine production unit value.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: each player receiving a public opinion board or a public opinion dial:the public opinion dial comprises: a first window that displays a public opinion point count;a second window that displays sales impact values;wherein the public opinion dial displays the public opinion point count and the sales impact value;rotating the public opinion dial simultaneously advances or decreases the public opinion point count and the sales impact values or percentages;the public opinion point count increases by at least one when the player's vaccine price value is less than the base vaccine price value;the public opinion point count decreases by at least one when the player's vaccine price value is greater than the base vaccine price value;the sales impact values are negative when the public opinion point count is less than a threshold amount; andthe vaccine production unit value is reduced by negative sales impact values.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the vaccine development phase comprises a combo vaccine comprised one of the vaccine development cards that target two of the disease boards;the combo vaccine comprises: a combo base vaccine price that consists of the greatest base vaccine price value of the two disease boards; anda combo vaccine production unit that is the double of the vaccine unit value defined on the vaccine development card.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein an end point is reached when one of following occurs: when the vaccine needs value of each of the disease boards equals zero;when the turn token is advances a final turn position on the turn counting track; orwhen one of the player tokens is advanced to a final scoring position on the scoring track;when the end point is reached, a victor is identified as the player that comprises a greatest summation of victory points;each immunization point equals one victory point;each marketable vaccine equals five victory points;each owned T&E card equals two victory points; anda public opinion score equal or superior to 9 grants 5 victory points.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein subsequent to advancing the turn token, determining a disease mutation by rolling the six-sided outbreak vaccine needs dice;updating the outbreak vaccine needs when the outbreak vaccine needs dice results in 20 or 30; andupdating the outbreak vaccine needs and initiating an external funding program when the outbreak vaccine needs dice results in 40, the external funding program comprising a predetermined amount of pay coins that are allotted to one of the players that generates a best-in-class outbreak vaccine within two subsequent turns.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: updating the outbreak target antigen value when the outbreak vaccine needs dice results in a non-numerical value by rolling a six-sided outbreak mutation dice that comprises two primary drift indicia, a secondary drift indicium, a shift indicium, and two null values randomly positioned in its sides;rolling the third antigen dice to update the ones place when the primary drift indicium results;rolling the second antigen dice and the third antigen dice to update the tens place and the ones place respectively when the secondary drift indicium results; androlling the first antigen dice to update the hundreds place when the shift indicium results.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: subsequent to updating the outbreak target antigen value, updating the outbreak vaccine needs value by rolling the six-sided outbreak vaccine needs dice until 20, 30, or 40 results.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the vaccine development phase further comprises: applying for a patent by recording the antigenic formula;paying a filing fee using the pay coins;rolling a six-sided dice like the toxicology dice;determining the patent is approved when the dice results in 3 or greater; anddetermining the patent is not approved when the dice results in less than 3.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the patent is approved further comprises: positioning a player's patent end token on the turn counting track three subsequent turns ahead of the turns token's current position;granting other players licenses to use the recorded antigenic formula until the turn token lands on the patent end token; andwhen the turn token lands on the patent end token, paying a patent extension fee to position the turn token an additional two turns.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the vaccine development phase further comprises: assigning an accessibility token to each of the disease boards, each accessibility token comprising a numerical accessibility value reflecting an accessibility time frame; andeach player purchasing up to two vaccine stability cards per action using the pay coins, each vaccine stability card comprising a numerical stability value reflecting a stability temperature threshold.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the vaccine sales phase further comprises: each player receiving a number of vaccine delivery cards equal to the numerical accessibility value, each vaccine delivery card comprising a temperature increase value and an impacted unit value; andwhen the temperature increase value is greater than the numerical stability value of the vaccine, decreasing the production units of the associated best-in-class vaccine by the impacted unit value.

20. The method of claim 3, wherein acquiring a technology or expertise comprises issuing an equal number of technology and expertise (T&E) cards to each player at the beginning of the game play; oreach player purchasing one of a plurality of T&E cards using the pay coins during the game play.