Novartis Ag

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Gmbh

Glaxosmithkline Biologicals Sa

Yin-Ling Lin

Michael Houghton

Angelica Medina-Selby

Doris Guenzi Coit

The invention provides HCV fusion polypeptides including truncated or full-length HCV NS5 polypeptides, and a portion of the HCV NS2 polypeptide, fused to at least one other HCV epitope derived from another region of the HCV polyprotein. The fusions can be used in methods of stimulating an immune response to HCV, for example a cellular immune response to HCV, such as activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize against HCV.

HCV fusion polypeptides

Methods for activating HCV-specific T cells are described. The methods utilize one or more administrations of HCV protein compositions, followed by one or more administrations of a viral vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a least one HCV epitope that is present in the first composition. The protein compositions can further comprise an immunostimulatory nucleic acid and or other adjuvants and immune stimulatory compounds.

Growing community of inventors

Emeryville, CA, United States of America

Yin-Ling Lin