Novavax, Inc.

Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Health

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

Robin A Robinson

Peter M Pushko

Gale Smith

Michael J Massare

Yingyun Wu

Thomas Kort

Margaret Nathan

Robert H Purcell

Suzanne U Emerson

Sergei A Tsarev

Margret Nathan

This invention discloses a method of increasing production of virus-like particles comprising expressing an avian influenza matrix protein. The invention also comprises methods of making and using said VLPs.

Highly efficient influenza matrix (M1) proteins

Recombinant influenza virus proteins, including influenza capsomers, subviral particles, virus-like particles (VLP), VLP complexes, and/or any portions of thereof, are provided as a vaccine for influenza viruses. The invention is based on the combination of two vaccine technologies: (1) intrinsically safe recombinant vaccine technology, and (2) highly immunogenic, self-assembled protein macromolecules embedded in plasma membranes and comprised of multiple copies of influenza virus structural proteins exhibiting neutralizing epitopes in native conformations. More specifically, this invention relates to the design and production of functional homotypic and heterotypic recombinant influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) comprised of recombinant structural proteins of human influenza virus type A/Sydney/5/94 (H3N2) and/or avian influenza virus type A/Hong Kong/1073/99 (H9N2) in baculovirus-infected insect cells and their application as a vaccine in the prevention of influenza infections and as a laboratory reagent for virus structural studies and clinical diagnostics.

Functional influenza virus-like particles (VLPs)

Functional influenza virus-like particles (VLPS)

An insect cell line capable of growth in serum-free media and secretion of high levels of recombinant proteins, including virus-like particles, upon infection with recombinant baculoviruses, is provided. Methods involving clonal selection processes, serum-weaning and recombinant protein secretion selection are used to create the insect lines of the invention. This cell line supports replication of baculoviruses, serves as host substrate for baculovirus plaque assays, provides a source of insect proteins, acts as a depot for cell transfection to produce recombinant baculoviruses, and express viral recombinant proteins. Extracellular and intracellular viral recombinant proteins and virus-like particles expressed from this cell line are useful as pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines, or diagnostic reagents.

Insect cell line

The invention relates to the expression of open reading frame 2 (ORF-2) proteins of a strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed proteins can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and/or as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.

Recombinant proteins of a Pakistani strain of hepatitis E and their use in diagnostic methods and vaccines

Recombinant proteins of a pakistani strain of hepatitis E and their use

Growing community of inventors

Gaithersburg, MD, United States of America

Robin A Robinson