Merck + Co., Inc.

Merck Sharp + Dohme Corp.

Janine Bryan

Michelle K Brownlow

Kathrin Ute Jansen

Loren D Schultz

Xin-Min Wang

Danilo R Casimiro

William L McClements

Brian K Meyer

Maria C Losada

Myra Kurtz

Stuart Kurtz, Legal Representative

Li Shi

Binghua Hu

Loren Schultz

Michelle Kaupas Brownlow

The present invention provides a synthetic gene control region which comprises a gene regulatory sequence comprising a binding site for a gene regulatory protein of a yeast strain, and a promoter from filamentous fungal strain located downstream of the gene regulatory sequence; wherein the promoter can be recognized by the general transcription factors and RNA polymerase of the yeast strain; wherein the gene regulatory sequence is capable of regulating transcription initiated by the filamentous fungal promoter in the yeast strain.

Synthetic gene control region

Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV58 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV58 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV58 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV58 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and are also useful for treatment of existing HPV infections.

Optimized expression of HPV 58 L1 in yeast

Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV 52 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV 52 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the nucleotide sequence of the synthetic molecule is altered to eliminate transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV 52 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV 52 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and may also be useful for treatment of existing HPV infections.

Optimized expression of HPV 52 L1 in yeast

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising virus-like particles (VLPs) of HPV, said VLPs adsorbed to an aluminum adjuvant, and an ISCOM-type adjuvant comprising a saponin, cholesterol, and a phospholipid. In preferred embodiments, the aluminum adjuvant comprises amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate. Another aspect of the invention provides multi-dose HPV vaccine formulations comprising HPV VLPs and an antimicrobial preservative selected from the group consisting of: m-cresol, phenol and benzyl alcohol. Also provided are methods of using the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions and formulations to induce an immune response against HPV in a human patient and to prevent HPV infection.

Papillomavirus vaccine compositions

Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV58 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV58 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV58 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV58 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective imnunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and are also useful for treatment of existing HPV infections.

Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV45 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV45 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV45 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV45 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

Growing community of inventors

Furlong, PA, United States of America

Janine Bryan