Versitech, Inc.

The University of Hong Kong

Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris

Kwok Yung Yuen

Lit Man Poon

Yi Guan

Kwok Hung Chan

Chiu Yat Patrick Woo

Kar Pui Susanna Lau

John M Nicholls

Frederick C Leung

The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as coronavirus-HKU1 ('CoV-HKU1'), isolated in Hong Kong from a patient who had a recent history of visit to Schenzhen, China. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronavirdae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. The invention also provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

Human virus causing respiratory tract infection and uses thereof

The present invention relates to an isolated novel virus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans ('hSARS virus'). The hSARS virus is identified to be morphologically and phylogenetically similar to known member of Coronaviridae. The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of the hSARS virus. Furthermore, the invention provides the nucleic acids and peptides encoded by and/or derived from the hSARS virus and their use in diagnostic methods and therapeutic methods, including vaccines. In addition, the invention provides chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by said nucleotide sequences and antibodies immunospecific to the polypeptides encoded by the nucleotide sequences.

Human virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and uses thereof

The present invention provides the complete genomic sequence of a novel human coronavirus, coined as coronavirus-HKU1 ('CoV-HKU1'), isolated in Hong Kong from a patient who had a recent history of visit to Schenzhen, China. The virus belongs to the order Nidovirales of the family Coronaviridae, being a single-stranded RNA virus of positive polarity. The invention also provides the deduced amino acid sequences of the complete genome of the CoV-HKU1. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1 are useful in preventing, diagnosing and/or treating the infection by CoV-HKU1. Furthermore, the invention provides immunogenic and vaccine preparations using recombinant and chimeric forms as well as subunits of the CoV-HKU1 based on the nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of the CoV-HKU1.

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Hong Kong, China

Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris