Chiron Corporation

Novartis Ag

Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl

Chiron S.r.l.

Antonello Covacci

Rino Rappuoli

John Telford

Massimo Bugnoli

Giovanni Macchia

Mariagrazia Pizza

Nicholas M Valiante

Luciano Nencioni

Feng Xu

Jeffrey Ulmer

Claudio Donati

A method for identifying a polypeptide which acts as an adjuvant in a host organism. The invention further provides adjuvant compositions comprising said polypeptides and optionally further comprising an antigen.

Pamps, pathogen associated molecular patterns

This invention provides polynucleotides encodingcytotoxin associated immunodominant antigen. The polynucleotides can be used as probes to identify the presence of complementary target nucleotide sequences. The invention also provides kits and vectors containing the polynucleotides of the invention.

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New pertussis toxin (PT) mutants are described being immunologically active and having reduced or no toxicity, characterized in that at least one of the amino acid residues Glu129, Asp11, Trp26, Arg9, Phe50, Asp1, Arg13, Tyr130, Gly86, Ile88, Tyr89, Tyr8, Gly44, Thr53 and Gly80 of subunit S1 amino acid sequence is deleted and substituted by a different amino acid residue selected in the group of natural amino acids;strains capable of providing and secreting said PT mutants and means and methods for obtaining them are also described. Thestrains and the PT mutants produced by them are particularly suitable for the preparation of effective cellular and acellular antipertussis vaccines.

Pertussis toxin mutants, Bordetella strains capable of producing such mutants and their use in the development of antipertussis vaccines

New pertussis toxin (PT) mutants are described being immunologically active and having reduced or no toxicity, characterized in that at least one of the aminoacid residues Glu129, Asp11, Trp26, Arg9, Phe50, Asp1, Arg13, Tyr130, Gly86, Ile88, Tyr89, Tyr8, Gly 44, Thr53 and Gly80 or subunit's 1 aminoacid sequence is deleted and substituted by a different aminoacid residue selected in the group of natural aminoacids; Bordetella strains capable of providing and secreting said PT mutants and means and methods for obtaining them are also described. The Bordetella strains and the PT mutants produced by them are particularly suitable for the preparation of effective cellular and acellular antipertussis vaccines. ()

Pertussis toxin mutants, bordetella strains capable of producing such mutants and their use in the development of antipertussis vaccines

This invention provides polypeptides ofcytotoxin associated immunodominant (CAI) antigen. The invention also provides prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides ofCAI antigen, and methods for their preparation. The invention also provides methods of treatment ofinfection using these vaccines.

A cytotoxin associated immunodominant antigen and the nucleic acid encoding the antigen from Helicobacter pylori are described. This antigen was identified from the cytotoxin positive CCUG 17874 Helicobacter pylori strain, and both the antigen and the DNA encoding it have been sequenced. The antigen is a hydrophilic, surface-exposed protein having a molecular weight of 120-132 kDa. The nucleic acid encoding the antigen may be incorporated into a vector for transformation of host cells for expression of the antigen. Both the DNA and the antigen can be used in assays for detection of disease or infection by Helicobacter pylori, and may find use in treating and preventing infection by Helicobacter pylori and the diseases associated with such infection.

Helicobacter pylori proteins useful for vaccines and diagnostics

Helicobacter pylori known to cause or be a cofactor in type B gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric tumors. In both developed and developing countries, a high percentage of people are infected with this bacterium. The present invention relates generally to certain H. pylori proteins, to the genes which express these proteins, and to the use of these proteins for diagnostic and vaccine applications. Specifically, molecular cloning, nucleotide, and amino add sequences for the H. pylori cytotoxin (CT), the 'Cytotoxin Associated Immunodominant' (CAI) antigen, and the heat shock protein (hsp60) are described herein.

Helicobacter pylori is known to cause or be a cofactor in type B gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric tumors. In both developed and developing countries, a high percentage of people are infected with this bacterium. The present invention relates generally to a certain H. pylori region located 5' to the CagA gene locus, to proteins encoded thereby, and to the use of these genes and proteins for diagnostic and vaccine applications.

Growing community of inventors

Siena, Italy

Antonello Covacci