Abstract:
An immunogenic composition, and method of using the composition, composed of a capsule polysaccharide polymer from one or more strains Campylobacter jejuni. The composition is either used alone or is conjugated to a carrier molecule, such as CRM197. An aspect of the invention is that the immunogenic composition induces an immune response without the induction of Gulliam Barre Syndrome.
Abstract:
The present invention is in the field of pneumococcal capsular saccharide conjugate vaccines. Specifically, an immunogenic composition for infants is provided comprising a multivalent Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine comprising 2 or more capsular saccharide conjugates from different serotypes, wherein the composition comprises a serotype 22F saccharide conjugate. Such a vaccine may be used in infant populations to reduce the incidence of elderly pneumococcal disease such as exacerbations of COPD and/or IPD.
Abstract:
Prion peptides comprising prion epitopes and fusions thereof, that display enhanced immunogenicity are described. Also described are methods of treating and diagnosing prion disease.
Abstract:
The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in the brain of a patient. Preferred agents include humanized antibodies.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fermentation medium for cultivating Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The present invention also relates to the use of the fermentation medium in processes for obtaining diphtheria toxin from the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria being cultivated and the preparation of vaccines using the diphtheria toxin obtained in the processes. The present invention further relates to a purification and detoxification processes specifically adapted for preparing a diphtheria toxoid for inclusion into a vaccine.
Abstract:
Novel enzymes, processes and antigenic structures useful in producing vaccines and compounds useful in combating gram-negative bacteria are described. Enzymes were isolated from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and used to specifically degrade lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enzymatic degradation permits residues of the LPS molecule, including immunogenic epitopes of the core oligosaccharide portion of the LPS, to remain unmodified during this enzymatic removal of fatty acids from the lipid A region of the LPS molecule.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a S. aureus type 5 or type 8 capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) depolymerizing the capsular polysaccharide, to give a polysaccharide fragment; (b) oxidizing the fragment in order to introduce an aldehyde group into at least one saccharide residue in the fragment, to give an oxidized saccharide residue; and (c) coupling the oxidized saccharide residue to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The coupling in step (c) may be direct, or may be via a linker molecule. The invention also provides a conjugate obtained or obtainable by this process.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for generating or enhancing the immune system of a patient against infection by a pathogen, and in particular MTB. Compositions of the invention contain one or more non-naturally occurring antigens that generate an effective cellular or humoral immune response to MTB and/or antibodies that are specifically reactive to mycolic acid or to the surface of MTB. The greater activity of the immune system generated by a vaccine of the invention involve an conjugation of peptides to increase in the generation of memory T cells that provide for a greater and/or longer lived or extended response to an MTB infection. Preferably a response involves an increased generation of antibodies that enhance immunity against MTB infection and promote an enhanced phagocytic response.
Abstract:
A procine circovirus type-2 (PCV2) immunogenic composition includes an antigenic peptide. The antigenic peptide is a non-arginine-rich peptide of a PCV2 open reading frame 2 (ORF2) and/or a recombinant fusion protein having the non-arginine-rich peptide of the PCV2 ORF2, a PE peptide, and a KDEL signal peptide. The number of arginines of the non-arginine-rich peptide of the PCV2 ORF2 is not greater than half of the number of arginines of the arginine-rich domain of the N terminal of the PCV2 ORF2.
Abstract:
Precipitated bacterial capsular polysaccharides can be efficiently re-solubilized using alcohols as solvents. The invention provides a process for purifying a bacterial capsular polysaccharide, comprising the steps of (a) precipitation of said polysaccharide, followed by (b) solubilization of the precipitated polysaccharide using ethanol. CTAB can be used for step (a). The material obtained, preferably following hydrolysis and sizing, can be conjugated to a carrier protein and formulated as a vaccine. Also, in vaccines comprising saccharides from both serogroups A and C, the invention provides that the ratio (w/w) of MenA saccharide:MenC saccharide is >1.