Abstract: The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost innoculation regimen. The present invention relates to a method of virus amplification in primary cells which are cultivated in a serum free medium. Viruses produced by this method are advantageously free of any infectious agents comprised in animal sera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of exogenous sequences into the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus genome. The present invention further provides plasmid vectors to insert exogenous DNA into the genome of MVA. Furthermore, the present invention provides recombinant MVA comprising an exogenous DNA sequence inserted into the new insertion site as medicine or vaccine.

Abstract: In the present invention, CD8+ conventional dendritic cells (CD8+ cDCs) and equivalents thereof (eCD8+ cDCs) in mouse and human have been established as major source of IFN-lambda (IFN-?) in response to double-stranded (ds) nucleic acids. The invention relates to therapeutic applications of ds nucleic acids or analogs thereof targeting CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in the prevention and/or treatment of infectious diseases, preferably viral infections, or cancer. Furthermore, the invention relates to an in vitro method for producing IFN-? and/or generating or obtaining a population of IFN-? producing CD8+ or eCD8+ cDCs as well as in vitro method for detecting or screening for CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs. In addition, the invention relates to a Flt3-ligand or a M-CSF receptor ligand for use in increasing the level of CD8+ and/or eCD8+ cDCs in a subject suffering from an infectious disease or cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus, wherein the MVA-BN virus, or a derivative thereof, induces at least substantially the same level of immunity in vaccinia virus prime/vaccina virus boost regimes when compared to DNA prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to the methods and kits comprising modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) to provide immediate protection against pathogens. MVA can be delivered to a host animal just prior to or after exposure to a pathogen and provide protection against the pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus, wherein the MVA-BN virus, or a derivative thereof, induces at least substantially the same level of immunity in vaccinia virus prime/vaccina virus boost regimes when compared to DNA prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits comprising poxviruses including, but not limited to modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and uses thereof to provide immediate protection against pathogens. Poxviruses including, but not limited to MVA can be delivered to a host animal just prior to or after exposure to a pathogen and provide protection against the pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost inoculation regimen. The present invention relates to a method of virus amplification in primary cells which are cultivated in a serum free medium. Viruses produced by this method are advantageously free of any infectious agents comprised in animal sera.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination or treatment of a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for purification of Vaccinia viruses (W) and/or Vaccinia virus (W) particles, which can lead to highly pure and stable virus preparations of predominantly biologically active viruses. The invention encompasses purifying a virus preparation in a sterilized way with high efficiency and desirable yield in terms of purity, biological activity and stability, aspects advantageous for industrial production.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel insertion sites useful for the integration of HIV DNA sequences into the MVA genome, and to the resulting recombinant MVA derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) comprising in the viral genome one or more expression cassettes for the expression of HIV proteins selected from Gag, Pol, Tat, Vif, Vpu, Vpr, Rev and Nef or a part or a derivative thereof or selected from Gag, Pol, Vpu, Vpr, Rev and Nef or a part or a derivative thereof for use as medicament or vaccine and its use for the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infections and AIDS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter selected from a group of nucleic acids consisting of (a) a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence derived from SEQ ID NO:1, wherein not more than 10 nucleotides have been added, deleted, substituted and/or inverted from the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1; and (c) a nucleic acid sequence having at least 70% identity with the nucleic acid of (a); wherein the promoter has a length of up to and including 27 nucleotides and wherein the promoter according to options (b) and (c) exhibits at least the 70% of the promoter activity of SEQ ID NO:1 as measured by the amount of recombinant protein produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for purification of Vaccinia viruses (VV) and/or Vaccinia virus (VV) particles, which can lead to highly pure and stable virus preparations of predominantly biologically active viruses. The invention encompasses purifying a virus preparation in a sterilized way with high efficiency and desirable yield in terms of purity, biological activity and stability, aspects advantageous for industrial production.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination or treatment of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara. In particular, the invention concerns an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus, wherein the MVA-BN virus, or a derivative thereof, induces at least substantially the same level of immunity in vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes when compared to DNA prime/vaccinia virus boost regimes.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of at least three HIV proteins selected from Vif, Vpr, Vpu, Rev, and Tat or derivatives of the amino acid sequence of one or more of said proteins, wherein the fusion protein is not processed to individual HIV proteins having the natural N and C termini. The invention further concerns nucleic acids encoding said proteins, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, and methods for producing said proteins. The fusion protein, nucleic acids and vectors are usable as vaccines for the at least partial prophylaxis against HIV infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoparamunity inducers based on paramunizing viruses or viral components of a myxomavirus strain from rabbits with typically generalizing disease, to a method for the production thereof and to the use thereof as medicaments for the regulatory optimization of the paramunizing activities for the prophylaxis and therapy of various dysfunctions in humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of at least three HIV proteins selected from Vif, Vpr, Vpu, Rev, and Tat or derivatives of the amino acid sequence of one or more of said proteins, wherein the fusion protein is not processed to individual HIV proteins having the natural N and C termini. The invention further concerns nucleic acids encoding said proteins, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, and methods for producing said proteins. The fusion protein, nucleic acids and vectors are usable as vaccines for the at least partial prophylaxis against HIV infections.