Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Gmbh

Chiron Corporation

Other

Catherine Greer

Mark J Selby

Susan Barnett

Cesira Galeotti

Jan Zur Megede

Giuliano Bensi

Roberto Petracca

Daniela Tornese Buonamassa

John M Polo

Christopher I Walker

Hong Liu

Indresh K Srivastava

Ying Lian

Karin Hartog

Thomas W Dubensky, Jr

Silvia Perri

Yasushi Uematsu

Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens as well as to method of making and using these immunogenic compositions.

Alphavirus vectors for respiratory pathogen vaccines

The present invention relates to the efficient expression of HIV polypeptides in a variety of cell types, including, but not limited to, mammalian, insect, and plant cells. Synthetic expression cassettes encoding the HIV Gag-containing polypeptides are described, as are uses of the expression cassettes in applications including DNA immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of Env-, tat- or Gag-containing proteins. The invention provides methods of producing Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), as well as, uses of the VLPs including, but not limited to, vehicles for the presentation of antigens and stimulation of immune response in subjects to whom the VLPs are administered.

Expression of HIV polypeptides and production of virus-like particles

Mosaic VLPs of viral capsid proteins from different virus types are described, as are methods of making the same. Specifically, a diploid yeast strain that coexpresses the L1 and L2 capsid proteins of both HPV-6 and HPV-16 as mosaic VLPs is described. The mosaic VLPs induced the production of conformational antibodies against both L1 proteins upon administration to mice.

Method for producing yeast expressed HPV types 6 and 16 capsid proteins

Mosaic VLPs of viral capsid proteins from different virus types are described, as are methods of making the same. Specifically, a diploid yeast strain that coexpresses the L1 and L2 capsid proteins of both HPV-6 and HPV-16 as mosaic VLPs is described. The mosaic VLPs induced the production conformational antibodies against both L1 proteins upon administration to mice.

Methods of production and purification for viruses and virus-derived vectors, including those related to alphaviruses, are disclosed. In one aspect, methods of purification that subject alphavirus replicon particle preparations to one or more steps of chromatographic purification, such as using an ion exchange resin, are provided. Also disclosed are methods of characterizing alphavirus replicon particles and utilizing these materials for vaccines and gene-based therapeutics.

Method for the quantitation of alphavirus replicon particles

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Oakland, CA, United States of America

Catherine Greer