Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of immunology and vaccinology. Provided is a method for preparing adjuvanted virosomes, comprising the steps of: (i) providing an aqueous composition of non-adjuvanted virosomes comprising a membrane fusion protein; (ii) dissolving an amphiphilic adjuvant in a pharmaceutically acceptable non-aqueous solvent which can form a homogeneous mixture with water; and (iii) diluting said adjuvant solution in said aqueous virosome composition to induce insertion of adjuvant in the outer leaflet of the virosomal membrane while preserving membrane fusion activity of the virosomes. Also provided are adjuvanted virosomes obtainable by said method, and vaccines comprising the virosomes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of virosome-like-particles. The invention provides a method for producing a virosome-like-particle comprising contacting an enveloped virus with a solution containing a short-chain phospholipid allowing solubilisation of the viral envelope of said virus further comprising removing short-chain phospholipid from said solution allowing formation of a functionally reconstituted viral envelope.

Abstract: Vaccines directed against antigens such as membrane proteins from pathogens or tumor cells are disclosed. Also described are methods of forming reconstituted viral membranes, with membrane fusion activity, which are lipid bilayer membranes preferably containing natural lipids of a virus, a viral fusion protein, one or more optional further antigens as well as amphiphilic adjuvants. Pharmaceutical compositions including such reconstituted viral membranes are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means for preparing vaccines that are capable of eliciting strong immune responses, especially through intranasal delivery. The invention discloses particles, referred to as “co-micelles,” in which antigens are present that interact through hydrophobic interactions with certain specific types of amphiphilic compounds, wherein the amphiphilic compounds have adjuvant activity and wherein the antigens are preferably antigenic surface proteins, such as integral membrane proteins from infectious agents like viruses.