The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services

University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.

Baylor College of Medicine

Robert P Blumenthal

Mathias D Viard

Yossef Raviv

Robert Jeff Hogan

Stephen Mark Tompkins

Anu Puri

Amit Joshi

Darayash B Tata

Julie M Belanger

Julian W Bess, Jr

Mathias Viard

Embodiments of photoactivatable, lipid-based nanoparticles are disclosed, as well as methods of making and using the nanoparticles. Pharmaceutical compositions including the nanoparticles also are disclosed. The lipid-based nanoparticles include a vesicle wall surrounding a cavity, wherein the vesicle wall includes (i) a lipid bilayer comprising 1,2-bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DCPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), and (ii) 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) within the lipid bilayer. The nanoparticles may further include an agent within the cavity.

Photoactivatable lipid-based nanoparticles as vehicles for dual agent delivery

The invention involves inactivation of viral populations by treating the viral populations with a compound to crosslink proteins in the viral membrane, UV irradiation and further inactivation of the viruses using detergent(s). According to the invention, this method preserves the native structure of viral epitopes so that the inactivated viral preparations can be used in immunological compositions that will inhibit and/or prevent viral infection when administered to an animal.

Cellular and viral inactivation

The invention provides compositions of inactivated influenza virus that can be used as vaccines and immunological compositions useful for inhibiting, preventing and treating influenza.

Inactivated influenza virus compositions

The invention provides compositions of inactivated viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and tumor cells that can be used as vaccines. Methods for making such inactivated viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and tumor cells are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Bethesda, MD, United States of America

Robert P Blumenthal