Abstract: A method of preparing a compound of formula (III): (M)x-(S)y-(M?)z??(III) wherein x is from 1 to 6, y is from 1 to 12, z is from 0 to 10, each M and each M? is independently a mycolic acid residue including a ?-hydroxy acid moiety and each S is a monosaccharide unit; the method comprising reacting one or more mycolic acids with one or more saccharide units wherein the hydroxyl group of each ?-hydroxy acid moiety is protected prior to reaction with the one or more saccharide units.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) for use in the treatment of a disease of the immune system; wherein R is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms; R1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, arylalkylene or alkylarylene moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of X, Y and Z is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkenylene, arylene, alkylarylene, cycloalkylene, ketone, ester, amide, imide, imine, thioether, ether, thioester and thioketone; and P is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, a sugar residue, or a metal, phosphonium or ammonium species; wherein at least one of X, Y and Z includes a moiety selected from cyclopropyl, C=A, C-AH and C—OR5; wherein R5 is alkyl or haloalkyl, and A is O,

Abstract: A method of preparing a compound of formula (III): (M)x-(S)y-(M?)z??(III) wherein x is from 1 to 6, y is from 1 to 12, z is from 0 to 10, each M and each M? is independently a mycolic acid residue including a ?-hydroxy acid moiety and each S is a monosaccharide unit; the method comprising reacting one or more mycolic acids with one or more saccharide units wherein the hydroxyl group of each ?-hydroxy acid moiety is protected prior to reaction with the one or more saccharide units.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) for use as an adjuvant in vaccination; wherein R is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms; R1 is an optionally-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, arylalkylene or alkylarylene moiety having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; each of X, Y and Z is independently selected from an optionally-substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, arylene, alkylarylene or cycloalkylene, ketone, ester, amide, imide, imine, thioether, ether, thioester, thioketone; and P is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl group, a sugar residue, or a metal, phosphonium or ammonium species; wherein at least one of X, Y and Z includes a moiety selected from cyclopropyl, C=A, C-AH and C—OR5; wherein R5 is alkyl or haloalkyl, and A is S, O or NR6, wherein R6

Abstract: A method of preparing a compound of formula (III): wherein x is from 1 to 6, y is from 1 to 12, z is from 0 to 10, each M and each M? is independently a mycolic acid residue including a ?-hydroxy acid moiety and each S is a monosaccharide unit; the method comprising reacting one or more mycolic acids with one or more saccharide units wherein the hydroxyl group of each ?-hydroxy acid moiety is protected prior to reaction with the one or more saccharide units.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-15 or active variants thereof and/or IL-15 activity enhancing compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system, such as manipulating viability ad/or responsiveness of said memory cells. The IL-15 activity enhancing compound is for example lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The invention further relates to the use of IL-15 inhibiting or eliminating compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system. Such inhibiting or eliminating compounds are for example anti-IL-15 antibodies, anti-IL-15R&agr; antibodies, fragments of these antibodies, e.g. the Fab or F(ab′)2 fragment, soluble IL-15R&agr;, fusion proteins consisting of soluble IL-15R&agr;, and Fc fragment, compounds, e.g. peptides, binding-and/or inhibiting functional IL-15 receptor, IL-15 antisense oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of IL-15 or active variants thereof and/or IL-15 activity enhancing compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system, such as manipulating viability ad/or responsiveness of said memory cells. The IL-15 activity enhancing compound is for example lipopolysaccharidc (LPS). The invention further relates to the use of IL-15 inhibiting or eliminating compounds for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for manipulating memory cells of the immune system. Such inhibiting or eliminating compounds are for example anti-IL-15 antibodies, anti-IL-15R&agr; antibodies, fragments of these antibodies, e.g. the Fab or F(ab′)2 fragment, soluble IL-15R&agr;, fusion proteins consisting of soluble IL-15R&agr;, and Fc fragment, compounds, e.g. peptides, binding and/or inhibiting functional IL-15 receptor, IL-15 antisense oligonucleotides.