Cytos Biotechnology Ag

Kuros Biosciences Ag

Katrin Schwarz

Martin F Bachmann

Patrik Maurer

Edwin Meijerink

Alain Tissot

Paul Pumpens

Karl Proba

Regina Renhofa

Indulis Cielens

Tazio Storni

Gerd Lipowsky

Vania Manolova

Andreas Cornelius

Karl G Proba

The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.

Packaging of immunostimulatory substances into virus-like particles: method of preparation and use

The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle (VLP) of an RNA-bacteriophage and at least one antigen, wherein the VLP is recombinantly produced in a host, and wherein the amount of host RNA with secondary structure comprised by the VLP is at most 20% of the amount of host RNA with secondary structure originally comprised by the VLP; and wherein the VLP and the at least one antigen are linked with one another. The invention also provides methods for producing the compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce strong antibody responses against the antigen within the indicated context while lowering or eliminating unwanted T cell responses.

VLP-antigen conjugates and their uses as vaccines

Packaging of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides into virus-like particles: method of preparation and use

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Schlieren, Switzerland

Katrin Schwarz