Abstract: The present invention pertains to improved adjuvant compositions comprising a mixture of a saponin adjuvant such as QS21 with monophosphoryl lipid A or derivative thereof such as 3D-MPL and interleukin 12. These compositions are useful in a range of prophylactic and therapeutic applications, particularly in vaccines, including cancer vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oil in water emulsion compositions, their use in medicine, in particular to their use in augmenting immune responses to a wide range of antigens, and to methods of their manufacture; the compositions having oil phase and an aqueous phase, a sterol and a saponin; the sterol being present in the oil phase and the saponin being present in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: DNA comprising a regulatory gene for clavulanic acid biosynthesis. DNA is no greater than 7 kb in length and has the configuration of restriction sites shown in FIG. 1 or a fragment thereof. Use of DNA in a method for producing clavulanic acid in a host.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining expression of a mixed hepatitis B surface antigen particle, e.g., a particle of mixed polypeptide composition, in yeast. Also disclosed is a method for obtaining multimeric structures presenting two or more polypeptides by expression in yeast as fusion proteins with the S antigen of HBsAg.

Abstract: For storage of syringes, a support rack comprising a plurality of elongate fingers (2) connected together at one end by a spine member (1) is used. The fingers (2) define parallel support channels (5) open at one end, and the syringes are stored in the channels (5) with their lips or wings (4) resting on the elongate fingers (2). Also disclosed are support cradles. Storage boxes, and lifting devices for handling the loaded racks. The support rack is better adapted than existing systems for cooperation with automated machinery since it can receive syringes into the channels by a horizontal translation movement, readily provided by a simple pushing device.

Abstract: A luer connector which facilitates connection of a hypodermic syringe to the vial, comprising a luer connectable to a syringe and which extends to a sharpened end capable of being driven through a puncturable vial closure to thereby puncture the closure; a luer support, mountable on a vial, and which initially supports the luer in a first position in which the sharpened end of the conduit is pointed toward the closure; a luer driver such that movement of the driver relative to the support causes the luer to be driven so that the sharpened end punctures the closure and enters the vial.

Abstract: DNA encoding the gene for the synthetase enzyme capable of generating &dgr; (L-a-aminoadipyl)-L-crysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) from its constituent amino acids was obtained from several penicillin and cephalosporin producing organisms, e.g. Penicillium chrysogenum, cephalosporium and a Flavobacterium species. The DNA was used to prepare recombinant vectors comprising the ACV synthetase gene and hosts transformed with such vectors. The ACV synthetase gene can form part of a gene cluster comprising other genes involved in -&bgr;-lactam biosynthesis and the production of penicillin by expression of the entire biosynthetic gene cluster for the synthesis of penicillin from primary amino acids is described. Suitable hosts in which expression can take place include heterologous hosts which are naturally non-producers of penicillin.

Abstract: A process for preparing an enzyme from Penicillium chrysogenum having Phenylacetate-Coenzyme A activity. DNA encoding for the enzyme is also provided and its use in the production of modified strains.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of inhibiting calpain using novel indolecarboxamides are disclosed.

Abstract: A back extraction process in which beta-lactam antibiotics or clavulanic acid is extracted from an organic solvent phase into an aqeous medium phase, using a mixing region in which the phases are mixed rapidly under high turbulence and shear stress.

Abstract: A process for increasing the amount of clavam produced by an organism having both a clavam pathway or a portion thereof and a cephalosporin pathway or a portion thereof by interfering with the conversion of L-lysine to L-&agr;-aminoadipic acid in the cephalosporin pathway. Plasmids containing a defective LAT (lysine amino transferase) gene and organisms containing such plasmids are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising an oil-in-water emulsion optionally with 3 De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21. The vaccines compositions are potent inducers of a range of immune responses.

Abstract: A composite particle comprising at least two polypeptides corresponding to all or part of a protein having the biological activity of one of the hepatitis B surface antigens, wherein the particle presents at least two antigenic determinants provided by the S-protein, preS2-protein or preS1-protein, said particle optionally further comprising host specific lipids. The invention also provides a modified hepatitis B surface antigen L protein which may be used alone or incorporated into such composite particles.A particular embodiment of the modified L protein (L*) comprises residues 12-52 followed by residues 133-145 followed by residues 175-400 of the L protein and a particular embodiment of a composite particle has the form (L*, S) where S is the S-protein of HBsAg.Improved hepatitis B vaccines may be prepared following expression of the above immunogens, especially in yeasts such as S. cerevisiae and Hansenula polymorpha.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of inhibiting calpain using novel quinoline- or naphthatenecarboxamides are disclosed.

Abstract: DNA sequences obtained from S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064, recombinant vectors incorporating such sequences and hosts transformed with such vectors are disclosed. The DNA comprises one or more genes coding for one or more enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of penicillin and cephalosporin .beta.-lactams and such enzymes are expressed by hosts into which the recombinant vectors are transformed. The DNA and the enzymes encoded thereby have utility in the preparation of penicillins and cephalosporins, both known and novel, possessing pharmacological, especially antimicrobial, activity.

Abstract: DNA sequences obtained from S. clavuligerus, recombinant vectors incorporating such sequences and hosts transformed with such vectors are disclosed. The DNA comprises one or more genes encoding one or more enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of clavulanic acid and may be used to improve the yield of clavulanic acid produced by clavulanic acid-producing organisms such as S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064.

Abstract: This invention relates to compound of formula (I) which are effective for inhibiting platelet aggregation, pharmaceutical compositions for effecting such activity, and a method for inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Abstract: Novel herpes simplex (HSV) vaccine formulations are provided. These comprise HSV glycoprotein gD or immunological fragments in conjunction with 3 Deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A.

Abstract: For storage of syringes, a support rack comprising a plurality of elongate fingers (2) connected together at one end by a spine member (1) is used. The fingers (2) define parallel support channels (5) open at one end, and the syringes are stored in the channels (5) with their lips or wings (4) resting on the elongate fingers (2). Also disclosed are support cradles, storage boxes, and lifting devices for handling the loaded racks. The support rack is better adapted than existing systems for cooperation with automated machinery since it can receive syringes into the channels by a horizontal translation movement, readily provided by a simple pushing device.

Abstract: Stable and effective multivalent vaccine compositions comprising Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are described wherein the HBsAg component is stable for one week at 37.degree. C. and is highly immunogenic, for example when the vaccine is administered to infants. The compositions typically comprise HBsAg adsorbed to aluminium phosphate and other antigens, especially those suitable for use in a paediatric vaccine, adsorbed to aluminium phosphate or aluminium hydroxide. Methods for preparing the vaccines and the use of aluminium phosphate to stabilise HBsAg in a multivalent vaccine formulation are also described.