Patents by Inventor Francesco Berti
Francesco Berti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9463250Abstract: This application relates to methods for the purification of saccharide antigen-carrier protein conjugates. In particular, the invention provides a method for purifying saccharide antigen-carrier protein conjugates from free carrier protein, such as CRM1 97, using hydroxyapatite. The invention further relates to methods of preparing vaccines, using this method.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Massimo Bigio, Giovanni Averani, Francesco Norelli, Francesco Berti, Cinzia Bellucci
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Patent number: 9439954Abstract: Glucans having exclusively or mainly ?-1,3 linkages are used as immunogens. These comprise ?-1,3-linked glucose residues. Optionally, they may include ?-1,6-linked glucose residues, provided that the ratio of ?-1,3-linked residues to ?-1,6-linked residues is at least 8:1 and/or there are one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal residues linked to other residues only by ?-1,3 linkages. The glucans will usually be used in conjugated form. A preferred glucan source is curdlan, which may be hydrolyzed to a suitable form prior to conjugation.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: GLAXOSMITHKLINE BIOLOGICALS SAInventors: Francesco Berti, Paolo Costantino, Maria Rosaria Romano
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Patent number: 9439955Abstract: Glucans having exclusively or mainly ?-1,3 linkages are used as immunogens. These comprise ?-1,3-linked glucose residues. Optionally, they may include ?-1,6-linked glucose residues, provided that the ratio of ?-1,3-linked residues to ?-1,6-linked residues is at least 8:1 and/or there are one or more sequences of at least five adjacent non-terminal residues linked to other residues only by ?-1,3 linkages. The glucans will usually be used in conjugated form. A preferred glucan source is curdlan, which may be hydrolyzed to a suitable form prior to conjugation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: GLAXOSMITHKLINE BIOLOGICALS SAInventors: Francesco Berti, Paolo Costantino, Maria Rosaria Romano
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Patent number: 9441004Abstract: The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Paolo Costantino, Maria Rosaria Romano, Francesco Berti
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Publication number: 20160166704Abstract: This disclosure provides novel saccharide derivatives, conjugates, and methods for making the derivatives and conjugates.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Roberto Adamo, Francesco Berti, Qi-Ying Hu
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Publication number: 20160137973Abstract: This invention is in the field of bacterial cultures and specifically relates to the optimization of culture conditions to improve the production of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains in fed batch culture and to novel purification methods suitable for production scale purification of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains resulting in higher levels of purity than previously obtained for production scale.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Paolo COSTANTINO, Francesco NORELLI, Francesco BERTI, Roberto OLIVIERI, Giulia BAZZOCCHI, Concetta CICALA, Silvia FONTANI
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Publication number: 20160101187Abstract: This specification is directed to nonlinear saccharide conjugates that comprise polysaccharides that are linked to at least two peptides that comprise T-cell epitopes and have no conformational B-cell epitopes where one of the peptides is linked to an internal saccharide so that the conjugates have a branched (i.e., nonlinear) structure. The specification also provides methods of manufacturing these conjugates, methods of formulating these conjugates in compositions for use as vaccines and methods of using the compositions to induce an immune response to the capsular saccharide. The specification also provides a new polyepitope carrier peptide comprising the PV1 epitope from polio virus. The new polyepitope carrier peptide can be used in both linear saccharide conjugates as well as the nonlinear saccharide conjugates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Francesco BERTI, Giulia BROGIONI, Paolo COSTANTINO, Giuseppe DEL GIUDICE, Maria ROMANO
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Publication number: 20160051667Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a S. aureus type 8 capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) depolymerising the capsular polysaccharide, to give a polysaccharide fragment; (b) oxidising the fragment in order to introduce an aldehyde group into at least one saccharide residue in the fragment, to give an oxidised saccharide residue; and (c) coupling the oxidised saccharide residue to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The coupling in step (c) may be direct, or may be via a linker molecule. The invention also provides a conjugate obtained or obtainable by this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventors: Francesco BERTI, Paolo COSTANTINO, Maria Rosaria ROMANO
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Patent number: 9243271Abstract: This invention is in the field of bacterial cultures and specifically relates to the optimization of culture conditions to improve the production of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains in fed batch culture and to novel purification methods suitable for production scale purification of bacterial capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus strains resulting in higher levels of purity than previously obtained for production scale.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: NOVARTIS AGInventors: Paolo Costantino, Francesco Norelli, Francesco Berti, Roberto Olivieri, Giulia Bazzocchi, Concetta Cicala, Silvia Fontani
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Publication number: 20150315225Abstract: The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: GLAXOSMITHKLINE BIOLOGICALS SAInventors: Paolo COSTANTINO, Maria Rosaria ROMANO, Francesco BERTI
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Patent number: 9173954Abstract: E. coli proteins have been identified that are useful as carrier proteins to improve a response to a polysaccharide immunogen conjugated to such protein. In particular, AcfD precursor protein (orf3526 polypeptide), Flu antigen 43 protein (orf1364 polypeptide), and Sel1 repeat-containing protein (upec-5211 polypeptide) have been shown to be effective. Additionally, these E. coli proteins can enhance the immune response to glucans, particularly fungal glucans.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Paolo Costantino, Francesco Berti, Francesca Micoli, Anna Kabanova, Laura Serino, Maria Rosaria Romano, Marta Tontini
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Publication number: 20150283232Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (a) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype I1 conjugated to a carrier protein; (b) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype Ib conjugated to a carrier protein; and (c) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype III conjugated to a carrier protein. The invention also provides a method for immunizing a patient against infection by GBS comprising the step of administering to the patient a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS conjugated to a diphtheria toxoid or derivative thereof, wherein the patient has been pre-immunized with a diphtheria toxoid or derivative thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Francesco BERTI, Mario CONTORNI, Paolo COSTANTINO, Oretta FINCO, Guido Grandi, Domenico MAIONE, John Telford
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Patent number: 9149541Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a conjugate of Formula (I-A) or (I) comprising a polypeptide containing n number of tyrosine units, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1, dispersed within the amino acid chain having and amino terminus end (A1) and an acid terminus end (A2) of the protein or polypeptide and having a weight average molecular weight equal to or greater than 10,000 Daltons (10 kDa), wherein the conjugate comprises a number m of tyrosine conjugates (modified tyrosine residues) as depicted in Formula (I-A) or (I), where m is at least one and is less than or equal to n: where X, Lg, L and R are as defined herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: NOVARTIS AGInventors: Roberto Adamo, Martin Allen, Francesco Berti, Elisa Danieli, Qi-Ying Hu
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Publication number: 20150231231Abstract: Three conjugation methods for use with the capsular saccharide of Streptococcus agalactiae. In the first method, reductive amination of oxidized sialic acid residue side chains is used, but the aldehyde groups are first aminated, and then the amine is coupled to a carrier via a linker. In the second method, sialic acid residues and/or N-acetyl-glucosamine residues are de-N-acetylated to give amine groups, and the amine groups are coupled to a carrier protein via a linker. In the third method, linkage is via galactose residues in the capsular saccharide rather than sialic acid residues, which can conveniently be achieved using galactose oxidase.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventor: Francesco Berti
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Patent number: 9060965Abstract: The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SAInventors: Paolo Costantino, Maria Rosaria Romano, Francesco Berti
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Patent number: 9040055Abstract: Three conjugation methods for use with the capsular saccharide of Streptococcus agalactiae. In the first method, reductive animation of oxidized sialic acid residue side chains is used, but the aldehyde groups are first aminated, and then the amine is coupled to a carrier via a linker. In the second method, sialic acid residues and/or N-acetyl-glucosamine residues are de-N-acetylated to give amine groups, and the amine groups are coupled to a carrier protein via a linker. In the third method, linkage is via galactose residues in the capsular saccharide rather than sialic acid residues, which can conveniently be achieved using galactose oxidase.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: NOVARTIS VACCINES AND DIAGNOSTICS SRLInventor: Francesco Berti
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Publication number: 20150104479Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate of a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule. The conjugate is typically made by (a) oxidising a primary hydroxyl group in the capsular polysaccharide, to give an oxidised polysaccharide with an aldehyde group; and (b) coupling the oxidised polysaccharide to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The conjugate may be part of an immunogenic composition. This composition may comprise one or more further antigens, particularly capsular polysaccharides from serogroups A, W135, C and Y and conjugated forms thereof. The composition may be in an aqueous formulation. The composition is useful as a vaccine, e.g. for raising an immune response in a mammal. The invention also provides processes for making the conjugate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventors: Maria Rosaria Romano, Francesca Micoli, Francesco Berti, Roberto Adamo, Paolo Costantino
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Patent number: 8974799Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a conjugate of a S. aureus type 5 or type 8 capsular polysaccharide and a carrier molecule, comprising the steps of: (a) depolymerizing the capsular polysaccharide, to give a polysaccharide fragment; (b) oxidizing the fragment in order to introduce an aldehyde group into at least one saccharide residue in the fragment, to give an oxidized saccharide residue; and (c) coupling the oxidized saccharide residue to a carrier molecule via the aldehyde group, thereby giving the conjugate. The coupling in step (c) may be direct, or may be via a linker molecule. The invention also provides a conjugate obtained or obtainable by this process.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Francesco Berti, Paolo Costantino, Maria Rosaria Romano
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Publication number: 20140335544Abstract: Methods for detecting in a sample the presence of an antibody to a conjugate of an antigen associated with a first carrier by a first association are disclosed. The method comprises contacting a conjugate of the antigen associated with a second carrier by a second association with said sample under conditions that allow binding of the antibody to the antigen; and introducing an agent to detect the presence of the antibody bound to said antigen. The first association and the second association are covalent associations and the first association is different from the second association. Also provided are kits, multiwell plates and conjugates that are useful in the method and further uses of the method. Also provided is a method of releasing a batch of a vaccine comprising a conjugate of an antigen associated with a first carrier by a first association and antibodies useful in this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Francesco Berti, Carl E. Frasch
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Publication number: 20140234368Abstract: Capsular saccharides derived from serogroups W135 and Y of Neisseria meningitidis have altered levels of O-acetylation at the 7 and 9 positions of their sialic acid residues, and can be used to make immunogenic compositions. Relative to unmodified native saccharides, derivatives of the invention are preferentially selected during conjugation to carrier proteins, and conjugates of the derivatives show improved immunogenicity compared to native polysaccharides.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Novartis AGInventors: Paolo COSTANTINO, Francesco BERTI