Abstract: The invention relates to novel bispecific antigen binding molecules, comprising at least two antigen binding domains capable of specific binding to OX40 and a particular antigen binding domain capable of specific binding to Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), and to methods of producing these molecules and to methods of using the same.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic mosaic antigens assembled from naturally-occurring allergens are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of making such hypoallergenic mosaic antigens, particularly those derived from plant allergens such as timothy grass pollen (Phl p 1 and Phl p 2) and birch pollen (Bet v 1). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method of making the hypoallergenic mosaic antigen involves the steps of (a) cleaving a naturally-occurring allergen into at least two, preferably at least three non-overlapping peptide fragments and (b) recombining the peptide fragments such that the mosaic antigen includes all or substantially all of the amino acids of the original naturally-occurring allergen, though in a different order.

Abstract: Microparticles are disclosed which comprise a bead essentially consisting of a cross-linked carbohydrate and an antigen covalently linked thereto. The microparticle can be used for the treatment of disorders of the immune system and in diagnostic tests.

Abstract: Methods for desensitization of a mammal suffering from IgE mediated allergy comprise the steps of: administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an immunogenic and hypoallergenic composition which comprises (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal truncation which makes the molecule at least lack IgE binding capacity, and/or (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal truncation which makes the molecule at least lack IgE binding capacity, wherein the molecules of (i) and (ii), if employed in combination, together span the complete sequence of Phl p 6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic mosaic antigens assembled from naturally-occurring allergens are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of making such hypoallergenic mosaic antigens, particularly those derived from plant allergens such as timothy grass pollen (Phl p 1 and Phl p 2) and birch pollen (Bet v 1). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method of making the hypoallergenic mosaic antigen involves the steps of (a) cleaving a naturally-occurring allergen into at least two, preferably at least three non-overlapping peptide fragments and (b) recombining the peptide fragments such that the mosaic antigen includes all or substantially all of the amino acids of the original naturally-occurring allergen, though in a different order.

Abstract: Hybrid polypeptides comprising at least two different allergenic proteins or fragments thereof wherein each fragment consists of at least eight consecutive amino acids of the respective allergenic protein are disclosed. The hybrid polypeptides and polynucleotides coding therefor can be used as pharmaceutical compositions, in particular as vaccines.

Abstract: Hybrid polypeptides comprising at least two different allergenic proteins or fragments thereof wherein each fragment consists of at least eight consecutive amino acids of the respective allergenic protein are disclosed. The hybrid polypeptides and polynucleotides coding therefor can be used as pharmaceutical compositions, in particular as vaccines.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an hypoallergenic mosaic antigen derived from an allergen is disclosed whereby a) in a first step the allergen is split into at least two parts and the IgE reactivity of each part is determined and b) in a second step those parts of the allergen which have no detectable IgE reaction are combined to a mosaic antigen which comprises the amino acids of the allergen but the order of the amino acids of the mosaic antigen is different from that of the naturally occurring allergen.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polypeptides derived from the timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 7. The polypeptides display reduced allergen activity and are useful as allergy vaccines for the treatment of sensitized allergic patients and for prophylactic vaccination.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an hypoallergenic mosaic antigen derived from an allergen is disclosed whereby a) in a first step the allergen is split into at least two parts and the IgE reactivity of each part is determined and b) in a second step those parts of the allergen which have no detectable IgE reaction are combined to a mosaic antigen which comprises the amino acids of the allergen but the order of the amino acids of the mosaic antigen is different from that of the naturally occurring allergen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p 6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, wherein the Phl p6 molecule has an N-terminal and/or C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity. The invention also relates to a hypoallergenic immunogenic combination of molecules derived from the Phl p 6 allergen, comprising (i) a Phl p 6 molecule having an N-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, and (ii) a Phl p 6 molecule having a C-terminal deletion which makes the molecule at least substantially lack IgE binding capacity, which two molecules together encompass the complete sequence of Phl p 6. The invention further relates to the use of the hypoallergenic immunogenic molecule or molecule mixture in hyposensitization and diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent wherein the peptide has a length of 8 to 50 amino acids, at least three preferably consecutive amino acids of the peptide are identical to at least three amino acids which appear in close vicinity on the molecular surface of an allergenic protein, and said at least three amino acids are solvent-exposed amino acids in the allergenic protein. The invention also concerns a method for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polypeptides derived from the timothy grass pollen allergen Phl p 7. The polypeptides display reduced allergen activity and are useful as allergy vaccines for treatment of sensitized allergic patients and for prophylactic vaccination.

Abstract: Methods for desensitization of a mammal suffering from IgE mediated allergy comprise the steps of: administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an immunogenic and hypoallergenic composition which comprises (i) a Phi p 6 molecule having an N-terminal truncation which makes the molecule at least lack IgE binding capacity, and/or (ii) a Phi p 6 molecule having a C-terminal truncation which makes the molecule at least lack IgE binding capacity, wherein the molecules of (i) and (ii), if employed in combination, together span the complete sequence of Phl p 6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to group 2 allergen specific IgE-Fabs and whole Ig molecules as well as use thereof. More precisely, the present invention relates to grass pollen specific IgE-Fabs (Phl p2) and reagents, kits and vaccines comprising these. The invention also relates to use of group 2 specific IgE-Fabs and whole Ig for, inter alia, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of type I allergy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a peptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent wherein the peptide has a length of 8 to 50 amino acids, at least three preferably consecutive amino acids of the peptide are identical to at least three amino acids which appear in close vicinity on the molecular surface of an allergenic protein, and said at least three amino acids are solvent-exposed amino acids in the allergenic protein. The invention also concerns a method for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence (I) which codes for a polypeptide displaying the antigenicity of one, two or more of the Phl p I epitope clones (28, 34, 41, 42, 43, 45, 50, 52, 64, 80, 85, 86, 95, 97, 98, 103, 108, 109, 113, 114), with the amino acid sequences defined in SEQ ID NOS: 5, 7, 9 and 12–28, and preferably being derived from grasses or monocotyledonic plants, or a nucleotide sequence (II) which hybridizes with such a nucleotide sequence (I) under conditions of high, stringency. Polypeptides displaying the antigenicity of one, two or more of the Phl p I epitope clones (28, 34, 41, 42, 43, 50, 52, 64, 80, 85, 86, 95, 97, 98, 103, 108, 109, 113, 114). Recombinant expression vectors containing the recombinant molecule and host cells transformed with the vector. Diagnostic methods based on utilizing the polypeptides in immunoassays for humoral antibodies and cellular reactions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an hypoallergenic mosaic antigen derived from an allergen is disclosed whereby a) in a first step the allergen is split into at least two parts and the IgE reactivity of each part is determined and b) in a second step those parts of the allergen which have no detectable IgE reaction are combined to a mosaic antigen which comprises the amino acids of the allergen but the order of the amino acids of the mosaic antigen is different from that of the naturally occurring allergen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel drug candidate having a potential for universal therapy of allergy and asthma. The invention provides a Fab (antibody fragment), having the following characteristics: a) inhibits the IgE-Fc?RI interaction; b) binds to free and cell-bound IgE; and c) is non-anaphylactic.