Abstract: The present invention relates to polysaccharide conjugates that comprise: a polysaccharide that binds to surface-receptors present on Antigen Presenting Cells, conjugated to one or more compounds having stable carbonyl groups covalently attached, either directly or via a bifunctional linker. The conjugates are useful as immuno-stimulants and adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel saponin derivatives for use with nucleic acids that induce an immune response when administered to animals and humans. The novel saponin derivatives disclosed comprise (a) a saponin aglycone core, wherein the aglycone core is covalently linked to one or more oligosaccharide chains; (b) a positively charged cationic chain, and optionally (c) a naturally occurring or synthetic lipophilic chain. Pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions comprising one or more of the novel saponin derivatives and saponin derivative/polynucleotide complexes are also disclosed. Disclosed as well are methods of using the novel saponin derivatives to deliver a polynucleotide molecule to cells of an animal, to stimulate or generate an immune response in an animal, and to generate a detectable immune response in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polysaccharide conjugates that comprise: a polysaccharide that binds to surface-receptors present on Antigen Presenting Cells, conjugated to one or more compounds having stable carbonyl groups covalently attached, either directly or via a bifunctional linker. The conjugates are useful as immuno-stimulants and adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to chemical conjugates (herein referred to as polysaccharide adjuvant-antigen conjugates) that have a polysaccharide backbone capable of binding to the cell surface of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs), to which is covalently attached (a) one or more molecules having a stable carbonyl group (i.e. an aldehyde and ketone group that is capable of reacting with amino groups to form an imine or Schiff base), and (b) one or more polypeptides or peptides that are capable of eliciting an immunogenic response when covalently attached to polysaccharide backbone. Also disclosed are methods for making the conjugates and methods of using the conjugates to enhance the potentiation of an immune response in a mammal. Also disclosed is a method of vaccination, and pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions comprising one or more of the polysaccharide adjuvant-antigen conjugates of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polysaccharide conjugates that comprise: a polysaccharide that binds to surface-receptors present on Antigen Presenting Cells, conjugated to one or more compounds having stable carbonyl groups covalently attached, either directly or via a bifunctional linker. The conjugates are useful as immuno-stimulants and adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel bidesmosidic saponin derivatives comprising a triterpene aglycone core substituted at positions 3 and 28 with a monosaccharide or an oligosaccharide which can be the same or different, and having an aldehyde group attached to the core, preferably at the 4-position. The novel derivatives include a lipophilic group that is covalently attached to the 4-position of a fucosyl group that is required in the 28-oligosaccharide substituent. These derivatives preferably have Formula I: wherein Z and R1 to R3 are defined herein. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions comprising one or more compounds of the present invention. These compositions may be employed as immunopotentiators in animals and humans. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these compounds and to methods of using these compounds as immunostimulating agents and as adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to vaccines comprising (1) one or more bacterial, viral or tumor-associated antigens; and (2) one or more saponin-lipophile conjugate in which a lipophilic moiety such as a lipid, fatty acid, polyethylene glycol or terpene is covalently attached to a non-acylated or desacylated triterpene saponin via a carboxyl group present on the 3-O-glucuronic acid of the triterpene saponin. The attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid of a saponin such as Quillaja desacylsaponin, lucyoside P, or saponin from Gypsophila, Saponaria and Acanthophyllum enhances their adjuvant effects on humoral and cell mediated immunity. Additionally, the attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid residue of non- or des-acylsaponin yields a saponin analog that is easier to purify, less toxic, chemically more stable, and possesses equal or better adjuvant properties than the original saponin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chemical compounds in which a lipophilic moiety such as a lipid, fatty acid, polyethylene glycol or terpene is covalently attached to a non-acylated or desacylated triterpene saponin via a carboxyl group present on the 3-O-glucuronic acid of the triterpene saponin. The attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid of a saponin such as Quillaja desacylsaponin, lucyoside P, or saponin from Gypsophila, Saponaria and Acanthophyllum enhances their adjuvant effects on humoral and cell mediated immunity. Additionally, the attachment of a lipophile moiety to the 3-O-glucuronic acid residue of non- or des-acylsaponin yields a saponin analog that is easier to purify, less toxic, chemically more stable, and possesses equal or better adjuvant properties than the original saponin.