Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Gmbh

Chiron Corporation

Silvia Perri

John M Polo

Kent B Thudium

Thomas W Dubensky, Jr

Stephen F Hardy

Zequn Tang

Barbara A Belli

Catherine Greer

Timothy C Fong

Yasushi Uematsu

Barbara Beli

Described herein are compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response to one or more proteins derived from one or more respiratory pathogens. In particular, the invention relates to alphavirus replicons, alphavirus vector constructs, alphavirus replicon particles expressing one or more antigens derived from one or more respiratory pathogens as well as to method of making and using these immunogenic compositions.

Alphavirus vectors for respiratory pathogen vaccines

Chimeric alphavirus particles and alphavirus replicon RNAs are provided including methods of making and using same. The alphavirus replicon RNAs comprise deletions in one or more nonstructural proteins. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle are disclosed.

Chimeric alphavirus replicon particles

Provided herein are modified, functional 5' amplification sequences that are defective packaging signals. Also provided are compositions and methods comprising these modified 5&#x2032; amplification sequences.

Alphavirus replicon packaging constructs

Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided, including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed.

Expression cassettes are provided comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid molecule which, when transcribed in vivo, forms double-stranded RNA that induces the production of interferon. Expression cassettes also are provided comprising a promoter operably linked to a ribozyme or antisense nucleic acid molecule which, when transcribed in vivo, forms a ribozyme or antisense RNA molecule that stimulates an immune response. In addition, expression cassettes are provided comprising a promoter operably linked to a ribozyme or antisense nucleic acid molecule which, when transcribed in vivo, stimulates apoptosis. Finally, gene delivery vectors are provided which contain such expression cassettes, host cells containing the gene delivery vectors, and methods of utilizing the expression cassettes, gene delivery vectors, and host cells.

Enhancement of the immune response for vaccine and gene therapy applications

Chimeric alphaviruses andreplicon particles are provided including methods of making and using same. Specifically,particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimericparticle, are disclosed.

Chimeric alphaviruses and alphavirus replicon particles are provided including methods of making and using same. Specifically, alphavirus particles are provided having nucleic acid molecules derived from one or more alphaviruses and structural proteins (capsid and/or envelope) from at least two or more alphaviruses. Methods of making, using, and therapeutic preparations containing the chimeric alphavirus particle, are disclosed.

Nucleic acid molecule are provided comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes, in order, an alphavirus capsid, a signal peptide, and an alphavirus E1 or E2 glycoprotein. Also provided are vectors encoding such nucleic acid molecules, and use of such vectors or expression cassettes to generate recombinant alphavirus particles and alphavirus packaging cell lines. In addition, modified alphavirus vector constructs are provided that permit reduced transgene expression during vector packaging, as well as methods of using such vector constructs for the production of alphavirus vector particles.

Growing community of inventors

Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

Silvia Perri