Merck + Co., Inc.

Robert S Lowe

Ronald W Ellis

Paul M Keller

Andrew J Davison

Kathrin Ute Jansen

Michael P Neeper

Joseph G Joyce

Mark W Riemen

Edward M Scolnick

William L McClements

Kathryn J Hofmann

Craig M Meyers

Elliott D Kieff

Hugh A George

E Dale Lehman

James C Cook, Iii

Jessica Ching-Yee Ling

Jiaping Zhang

Michelle Kaupas

Human Papillomavirus virus like particles (VLPs) have been constructed so that they contain a modified L2 protein. The L2 protein has been minimized and is fused to a second protein or peptide. The fused protein is incorporated into the VLP and the VLP can deliver the protein to a cell. The modified VLPs can be used to increase the breadth of immune response in vaccine preparations or to deliver other proteins of interest.

Protein delivery system using human papillomavirus virus-like particles

This invention relates to infectious chimeric papillomaviruses, and especially those where the early genes are from human papillomavirus (HPV) 18, and the late genes are from another HPV. Also presented are methods of culturing the virus in raft cell cultures, and to assays utilizing these chimeric viruses.

Production of chimeric human papillomavirus

The present invention is directed to a recombinant human papillomavirus type 11 L1 protein encoded by a synthetic DNA molecule and methods of making and using the protein.

Production of recombinant human papillomavirus type II protein utilizing

A vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), tested in clinical trials, is capable of preventing chickenpox in children. This virus has been modified by the introduction into its genome of heterologous DNA which encodes an immunogenic polypeptide of another human pathogen. This heterologous polypeptide is expressed in cells infected by the recombinant virus. Such recombinant VZV is useful as a vaccine for chickenpox as well as for heterologous pathogens.

Varicella-zoster virus as a live recombinant vaccine

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. Antibodies directed against peptides imputed from the DNA sequence can react with the glycoprotein, which itself is reactive with neutralizing antibodies. The amino-terminal sequence of the purified glycoprotein is identical to a portion of the amino acid sequence imputed from the DNA sequence. This glycoprotein is useful for the preparation of a vaccine against VZV.

DNA encoding immunogenic gpIII glycoprotein of varicella-zoster virus

Vaccine against varicella-zoster virus

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. This gene can hybrid select messenger RNA which encodes and expresses a protein which reacts with human convalescent zoster sera and with polyclonal monospecific antisera which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for the preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

A gene of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which encodes immunogenic outer surface viral proteins has been identified by DNA sequence analysis. This gene can hybrid select messenger RNA which encodes and expresses a protein which reacts with human canvalescent zoster sera and with polyclonal monospecific antisera which neutralize viral infectivity. These proteins are useful for the preparation of a vaccine for VZV.

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Harleysville, PA, United States of America

Robert S Lowe