Patents Represented by Attorney Amy Hessler
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Patent number: 8334114Abstract: Meningococcal antigens are cleaved by human lactoferrin. The invention is based on the identification of the cleavage products of this reaction, and provides a method for cleaving a neisserial polypeptide, comprising the step of mixing the polypeptide with a lactoferrin enzyme. The invention also provides polypeptides obtainable by this process (i.e. the cleavage products of the lactoferrin digestion). Proteins of particular interest are meningococcal proteins 287 and App.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Davide Serruto, Maria Aricò
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Patent number: 8293251Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Vincenzo Scarlato, Vega Masignani, Rino Rappuoli, Mariagrazia Pizza, Guido Grandi
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Patent number: 8273360Abstract: A composition comprising (a) Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and (b) an immunogenic component selected from other Neisseria proteins, or immunogenic fragments thereof. Component (b) preferably includes a protein from a different NmB strain from that from which the OMV of component (a) is derived. The OMVs are preferably obtained by deoxycholate extraction. Optionally, the composition may also comprise a protective antigen against other pathogens.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Mariagrazia Pizza, Rino Rappuoli, Marzia Monica Giuliani
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Patent number: 8226960Abstract: NMB1870 is a protein in Neisseria meningitidis. Three families of NMB1870 are known. To increase the ability of a NMB1870 protein to elicit antibodies that are cross-reactive between the families, NMB1870 is engineered. Sequences can be substituted from one NMB1870 family into the corresponding position in another family. Proteins of NMB1870 sequences from different families can be joined to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Vega Masignani, Maria Scarselli, Rino Rappuoli, Mariagrazia Pizza, Marzia Monica Giuliani
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Patent number: 8221761Abstract: Immunogenic compositions (e.g. vaccines) comprising: (a) an immunostimulating amount of a Neisseria antigen (preferably N. meningitidis serogroup B); and (b) an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition comprising an oligonucleotide comprising at least one CG motif. Component (b) may further comprise a second adjuvant. Component (a) may be selected from a variety of antigens. Adjuvant compositions comprising an oligonucleotide having at least one CG motif, and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Guido Grandi, Rino Rappuoli, Marzia M. Giuliani, Mariagrazia Pizza
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Patent number: 8119146Abstract: HBsAg is expressed in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae host, carrying a plasmid having a HBsAg coding sequence, wherein the plasmid includes: (1) an upstream promoter from a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, for controlling expression of the HBsAg coding sequence; and (2) an ARG3 transcription terminator downstream of the HBsAg coding sequence. The plasmids may also include: (3) a LEU2 selection marker; (4) a 2? plasmid sequence; and (5) an origin of replication functional in Escherichia coli. HBsAg can be expressed in this host, and can be purified for use in the manufacture of vaccines, and in particular for the manufacture of combination vaccines and in new monovalent HBV vaccines e.g. with non-alum adjuvants.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Angelica Medina-Selby
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Patent number: 8119337Abstract: Influenza viruses for use in preparing human vaccines have traditionally been grown on embryonated hen eggs, although more modern techniques grow the virus in mammalian cell culture e.g. on Vero, MDCK or PER.C6 cell lines. The inventor has realized that the conditions used for influenza virus 5 culture can increase the risk that pathogens other than influenza virus may grow in the cell lines and have identified specific contamination risks. Suitable tests can thus be performed during manufacture in order to ensure safety and avoid iatrogenic infections.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Inventor: Jens-Peter Gregersen
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Patent number: 8114960Abstract: Alternative and improved approaches to the heterologous expression of the proteins of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These approaches typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localization, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Maria Beatrice Arico, Maurizio Comanducci, Cesira Galeotti, Vega Masignani, Marzia Monica Guiliani, Mariagrazia Pizza
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Patent number: 8092813Abstract: When using squalene in a vaccine adjuvant, there is a possibility of contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Environmental exposure to PCBs may adversely affect children's immune responses to routine vaccinations. Thus the invention uses squalene with low or no PCB contamination, particularly when derived from shark liver.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventor: Deborah L. Novicki
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Patent number: 8034349Abstract: Peptides that mimic the antigenic features of non human-cross-reactive protective epitopes of the MenB CP and nucleic acids encoding the peptide mimetics are disclosed. Antibodies elicited by these peptides do not bind to polysialic acid in host tissue and thus provide a safe and efficacious method for the treatment and/or prevention of Meningitis B.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Inventors: Giuseppe Teti, Franco Felici
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Patent number: 8007815Abstract: Combination vaccines for treating or preventing Neisseria meningitidis infection are described. The vaccines include Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B proteoliposomic vesicles and Neissera meningitidis serogroup C conjugated oligosaccharides.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignees: Novartis AG, Statens Institutt for FolkehelseInventors: Dan M. Granoff, Howard Raff, Ingeborg S. Aaberge, Bjorn Haneberg, Johan Holst
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Patent number: 7928192Abstract: ADP-ribosylating toxins from Neisseria meningitidis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi, and Streptococcus pyogenes are disclosed, together with mutant toxins and uses therefor. There is only a low level of sequence identity between these toxins and toxins such as cholera toxin and E. coli heat labile toxin.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Vega Masignani, Mariagrazia Pizza, Rino Rappuoli
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Patent number: 7862827Abstract: Compositions comprising a first biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium and a second biological molecule from a Neisseria bacterium. The term “biological molecule” includes proteins and nucleic acids. Preferred Neisseria species are N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics SRLInventors: Marzia Monica Giuliani, Mariagrazia Pizza, Rino Rappuoli
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Patent number: 7858096Abstract: NMB1343 is an ADP-ribosylating toxin from Neisseria meningitidis. The invention provides a mutant toxin having a substitution at one or more of amino Glu-109, Glu-111 or Glu-120. The mutations(s) is/are preferably Glu to Asp. The protein of the invention preferably has reduced or eliminated ADP-ribosyltransferase and/or NAD-glycohydrolase activity relative to the wild-type protein.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Novartis ACInventors: Mariagrazia Pizza, Vega Masignani
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Patent number: 7838015Abstract: A combination of CpG oligonucleotides and polymer microparticles is an extremely effective adjuvant for Neisserial antigens. The invention therefore provides a composition comprising: (a) a Neisserial antigen; (b) a CpG oligonucleotide; and (c) a biodegradable polymer microparticle.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Derek O'Hagan, Nicholas Valiante
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Patent number: 7803387Abstract: Alternative and improved approaches to the heterologous expression of the proteins of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These approaches typically affect the level of expression, the ease of purification, the cellular localization, and/or the immunological properties of the expressed protein.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics SRLInventors: Maria Beatrice Arico, Maurizio Comanducci, Cesira Galeotti, Vega Masignani, Marizia Monica Guiliani, Mariagrazia Pizza
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Patent number: 7754218Abstract: To improve the stability of vaccines comprising aluminum salt(s), the invention uses the amino acid histidine. This can improve pH stability and adjuvant adsorption and can reduce antigen hydrolysis. Histidine is preferably present during adsorption to the aluminum salt(s). The antigen in the vaccine may be a protein or a saccharide and is preferably from N. meningitidis.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Novartis Caccines and Diagnostics SRLInventors: Mario Contorni, Massimo Maffei
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Patent number: 7714121Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B), including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics SRLInventors: Vincenzo Scarlato, Vega Masignani, Rino Rappuoli, Mariagrazia Pizza, Guido Grandi
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Patent number: 7700119Abstract: An 85 kDa antigen from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been cloned, sequenced and expressed. The antigen is common to diverse strains, serogroups and serotypes of N. meningitidis, and also to N. gonorrhoeae, N. polysaccharia and N. lactamica. The protein sequences of N. meningitidis (serogroups A and B) and N. gonorrhoeae are highly homologous.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics SRLInventors: Marzia Monica Giuliani, Mariagrazia Pizza, Rino Rappuoli, Johan Holst
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Patent number: 7655245Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Vincenzo Scarlato, Vega Masignani, Rino Rappuoli, Mariagrazia Pizza, Guido Grandi