Carrington Laboratories, Inc.

Kj Biosciences LLC

Nanotherapeutics, Inc.

Resilience Government Services, Inc.

Yawei Ni

Kenneth M Yates

Ryszard Zarzycki

Ron Cobb

Jianhua Guo

Michael Springer

A dry powder norovirus vaccine is provided, which comprises at least two norovirus antigens representing different genogroups. The vaccine may be produced by formulation with a mixture of different antigens or combination of monovalent powders with each containing one antigen. The formulated vaccine is suitable for mucosal administration and soluble in aqueous solutions for parenteral administration. A method of immunization is also provided, which comprises at least one administration of the vaccine via mucosal and/or parental route. The immunization may have multiple administrations of the vaccine, i.e., one or more immunizations via a mucosal route followed by one or more immunizations via a parenteral route or vice versa, to maximize both mucosal and systemic immune responses and protection against norovirus infections.

Norovirus vaccine

Novel nanoparticle fusion proteins comprising proteins or peptides fused to Dps (DNA binding protein from starved cells) proteins are provided which bring forth distinct advantages for development of new and improved vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other biomedical products.

Dps fusion proteins for use in vaccines and diagnostics

An influenza vaccine comprising an influenza hemagglutinin-containing antigen which is subjected to a treatment at a suitable low pH or other suitable conditions to obtain a suitable degree of loss of potency, and the method of making it are provided. The vaccine not only induces an increased cross-reactive immune response and cross protection, but can also induce a strain-specific immune response and protection like current inactivated vaccines. A method of administering influenza vaccines is also provided to induce an increased cross-reactive immune response and cross protection, which is especially suitable for use in emergency situations such as a pandemic.

Influenza vaccines

Novel nanoparticle fusion proteins comprising proteins or peptides fused to Dps (DNA-binding protein from starved cells) proteins are provided which bring forth distinct advantages for development of new and improved vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other biomedical products.

DPS fusion proteins for use in vaccines and diagnostics

Pectins having a combination of unexpectedly high molecular weights and low degrees of methylation have been isolated from Aloe vera plants, are superior gel pectins for forming calcium cross-lined gels. Such pectins can be obtained by extracting homogenized Aloe Vera plants or portions thereof. These pectins can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions comprising pharmacological agents for application to animals and humans, so as to provide controlled release of the pharmacological agent.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising aloe pectins, and methods for their production and use

Pectins having a combination of unexpectedly high molecular weights and low degrees of methylation have been isolated. These high molecular weight, low degree of methylation pectins form gels at unexpectedly low concentrations. Such pectins can be obtained by extracting homogenizedplants or portions thereof. These pectins can be used to prepare pharmaceutical compositions comprising pharmacological agents encapsulated in a pectin gel, for application to animals and humans so as to provide controlled release of the pharmacological agent.

High molecular weight, low methoxyl pectins, and their production and uses

In-situ gelation of a pectic substance. Composition, method of preparation, and method of use of a pectin in-situ gelling formulation for the delivery and sustained release of a physiologically active agent to the body of an animal. The pectin can be isolated from

Delivery of physiological agents with in-situ gels comprising anionic polysaccharides

A composition combining an extracellular matrix-degrading protease and a growth factor related to epithelial cell functions together without inactivation or degradation of the growth factor by the protease. Preferably, the protease is plasmin/plasminogen or a related one, and the growth factor is KGF or a related one. The combination associates two independent, but synergistic functions essential to the re-epithelialization process or healing process, i.e, stimulating epithelial cell proliferation/differentiation and facilitating its migration by clearing the extracellular matrix components. The combination may be constructed in various ways and can be used to treat wounds or any other disease conditions involving cells of epithelial origin or any other cell types that the growth factor may affect.

Combination of a growth factor and a protease enzyme

The inventions disclosed herein relate to compositions for the sustained release of pharmacological agents comprising pectins having a combination of both a high molecular weight and a low degree of methoxylation.

Pharmacological compositions comprising pectins having high molecular weights and low degrees of methoxylation

In-situ gelation of a pectic substance. Composition, method of preparation, and method of use of a pectin in-situ gelling formulation for the delivery and sustained release of a physiologically active agent to the body of an animal. The pectin can be isolated from Aloe vera.

In-situ gel formation of pectin

Pectic substance from Aloe Vera and other sources is used as a stabilizer and a delivery vehicle for pectin/heparin-binding proteins, such as pectin/heparin binding growth factors. Aloe pectin, a naturally occurring LM (low methoxyl) pectin, binds to pectin/heparin-binding growth factors, i.e., bFGF, aFGF, and KGF of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family and TGF-&bgr;1 of transforming growth factor-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) family. Commercial LM or HM (high methoxyl) citrus pectins tested did not exhibit any binding activity with bFGF. A weak binding to bFGF was observed with a de-esterified pectin (polygalacturonic acid) prepared from citrus. The binding protected the growth factor from protease digestion. The calcium gel beads prepared with Aloe pectin also bound to these pectin/heparin-binding growth factors. The growth factor could also be encapsulated in the pectin calcium gel and Aloe pectin sodium gel. Pectin/heparin-binding growth factor stabilized by pectin is used for wound healing. A pectin-containing matrix is used for the isolation of a pectin/heparin-binding protein.

Pectic substance as a growth factor stabilizer

Pectins from gel and rind cell wall fibers of Aloe vera are extracted, isolated and identified. Two classes of Aloe pectin are obtained: the high-molecular-weight (HMW) pectin and the low-molecular-weight (LMW) pectin. Aloe pectins have a low methoxyl (LM) content. Aloe pectins form gel in the presence of calcium, and they, especially, the HMW pectin, form monovalent cation-based gels at low temperature, which revert back to solution when brought to room temperature. The HMW Aloe pectin-calcium gel is used for controlled release. The monovalent cation-based gel is used as a matrix for storing pharmacological substances and also for antigen and antibody precipitation reaction.

Growing community of inventors

College Station, TX, United States of America

Yawei Ni