Merck + Co., Inc.

Vivian M Larson

E Dale Lehman

Joshua S Boger

Emilio A Emini

A synthetic peptide, containing the predicted amino acid residues 64 to 77 of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) gB structural glycoprotein open reading frame, a synthetic subunit immunogen that stimulates an immune response against HSV1 and which, when prepared, and chemically-conjugated to a protein carrier molecule, and inoculated into test animals, gives rise to a specific anti-peptide IgG response, such that these anti-peptide antibodies react with a purified HSV-specific structural glycoprotein preparation and are capable of neutralizing the infectivity of HSV1.

Immunogenic synthetic peptide capable of eliciting herpes simplex virus

Herpes virus subunit antigens suitable for vaccine use are prepared by (1) treating virus-infected cells with a surfactant and varying concentrations of salt to extract and solubilize viral-directed glycoproteins, (2) fractionating the solubilized material by chromatographic procedures to enrich the viral-directed glycoproteins and to remove unwanted proteins and nucleic acids, and (3) optionally treating the subunit antigens with deoxyribonuclease and formaldehyde to assure safety.

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Harleysville, PA, United States of America

Vivian M Larson