Pci Biotech As

Anders Hogset

Kristian Berg

Lina Prasmickaite

Jo Klaveness

Torunn E Tjelle

Pal Kristian Selbo

Mar Masson

Pål Johansen

Anette Weyergang

Vivek S Gaware

Kristin Eivindvik

Per Edvard Walday

Birgit Ovstebø Engesæter

Gunnhild Mari Mælandsmo

Elizabeth Jones

Birgit Ovstebo Engesaeter

Gunnhild Mari Maelandsmo

A method of vaccination or immunisation involving the use of a photosensitizing agent, an antigenic molecule, e.g. a vaccine component, and an agent which enhances the effect of photochemical internalization (PCI)-mediated vaccination is disclosed wherein the agent is a ligand for a Toll-like receptor (TLR), and irradiation is with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. Antigenic, e.g. vaccine compositions, useful in such a method are also disclosed along with a method of generating antigen presenting cells which may be used to generate an immune response based on introducing antigenic molecules, e.g. vaccine components, into cells to achieve antigen presentation. The invention also provides methods of achieving vaccination in a subject using such cells.

Compound and method for vaccination and immunisation

A device for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, is described. The device is adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent are to be administered. The device comprises a rear surface that is rounded or otherwise configured to be worn against the patient's skin. It has a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle. A light source is arranged to illuminate the patient's skin from the rear of the device. A control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence.

Antigen delivery device and method

The present invention relates to novel chitosan-based conjugates, e.g. nanocarriers, comprising a derivative of the biocompatible polymer chitosan conjugated to a photosensitizing agent, and uses thereof in photochemical internalization (PCI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The invention also relates to the use of the novel conjugates of the invention in treatment or prevention of diseases, particularly cancer, and for vaccination purposes.

Conjugate of a photosensitiser and chitosan and uses thereof

The present invention provides a method of stimulating an immune response to an antigenic molecule, by contacting a cell with the antigenic molecule and with a photosensitizing agent, irradiating the cell, and thereby presenting the antigenic molecule, or part thereof, on the surface of said cell and stimulating an immune response.

Method of stimulating an immune response

The invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of amphiphilic photosensitizing agents which have a water solubility of at least 0.5 mg/ml and to their use in methods of photochemical internalization. Such salts may be formed from a pharmaceutically acceptable base, for example an organic amine such as an amino alcohol, or from a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, for example a sulphonic acid or a sulphonic acid derivative. Due to their increased water solubility, such salts are particularly suitable for use in the preparation of parenteral pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. for use as solutions for injection or infusion.

Photosensitizing compositions

The present invention provides a method for introducing a molecule into the cytosol of a cell in which the cell is contacted with a photosensitising agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitising agent and, substantially at the same time or after the irradiation, the cell is contacted with the molecule to be introduced, particularly for use in cancer treatment, gene therapy and vaccination.

Photochemical internalization for delivery of molecules into the cytosol

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Oslo, Norway

Anders Hogset