Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver nucleic acid molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The emulsion particles have an average diameter of about 80 nm to about 180 nm, and the emulsion have an N/P ratio of at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding fusion proteins comprising fragments of toxin A and toxin B from Clostridium difficile are described, as well as vectors and host cells containing such polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to recombinant human cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB proteins and immunogenic fragments thereof, which do not comprise a transmembrane (TM) domain; and comprise one or more mutations that reduce the aggregation between the monomeric trimers of gB, and/or adhesion of the monomeric trimer of gB to the host cell.

Abstract: HRV VP2 proteins useful as components of immunogenic compositions for the induction of cross-reactive cell-mediated immunity against human rhinovirus infection; nucleic acid constructs encoding such HRV VP2 proteins.

Abstract: To formulate amphiphilic pharmacological agents (in particular, amphiphilic immunopotentiators) in oil-in-water emulsions the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase, a surfactant, and a phospholipid.

Abstract: Described herein are novel methods of inserting nucleic acid sequences into host cells. Also described herein are genetically stable host cells comprising inserted nucleic acid sequences and methods of using such host cells in the generation of proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel phospholipidated imidazoquinolines of formula (I) as TLR7 and TLR8 agonists, pharmaceutical compositions, therapeutic uses and processes for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of preventing reactivation of active and latent M. tuberculosis infections by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding a Mtb72f fusion protein, or a Mtb72f fusion protein or an immunogenic fragment thereof, for example together with an adjuvant. The Mtb72f nucleic acid or fusion protein can be administered with one or more chemotherapeutic agents effective against a M. tuberculosis infection. The methods also provide for shortening the time course of a chemotherapeutic regimen against a M. tuberculosis infection.

Abstract: An isolated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) membrane protein complex that comprises gH, gL and at least one more HCMV glycoprotein is provided. In some embodiments the complex consists of gH, gL and gO. In other embodiments the complex consists of gH, gL, pUL128, pUL130 and pUL131A. Processes for expressing and purifying such complexes, and subsequent uses of such complexes in immunogenic compositions and vaccines, are also provided.

Abstract: Knockout of the meningococcal mltA homolog gives bacteria that spontaneously release vesicles that are rich in immunogenic outer membrane proteins and that can elicit cross-protective antibody responses with higher bactericidal titres than OMVs prepared by normal production processes. Thus the invention provides a bacterium having a knockout mutation of its mltA gene. The invention also provides a bacterium, wherein the bacterium: (i) has a cell wall that includes peptidoglycan; and (ii) does not express a protein having the lytic transglycosylase activity MltA protein. The invention also provides compositions comprising vesicles that, during culture of bacteria of the invention, are released into the culture medium.

Abstract: Mutant protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (SpA) with decreased affinity for the Fc? portion of human IgG is provided.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides meningococcal outer membrane vesicles in which NHBA is over-expressed. A second aspect of the invention provides meningococcal outer membrane vesicles in which NadA is over-expressed. A third aspect of the invention provides a panel of bacterial strains, each member of which is isogenic except for a single gene which in each strain encodes a different variant antigen of interest.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions comprising an M72 related antigen, wherein the conductivity of the composition is 13 mS/cm or lower, or the concentration of salts of the composition is 130 mM or lower, and their use in medicine, are provided.

Abstract: There is provided inter alia an immunogenic composition comprising a viral antigen,a sugar and/or polyol,an adipate buffer, calcium ions and/or magnesium ions, and one or more positively charged amino acids.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver nucleic acid molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The emulsion particles have an average diameter of about 80 nm to about 180 nm, and the emulsion have an N/P ratio of at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: Provided herein are host cells capable of producing hybrid oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, wherein said hybrid oligosaccharides and polysaccharides do not comprise a hexose at the reducing end of their first repeat unit. Also provided herein are hybrid oligosaccharides or polysaccharides and bioconjugates which can be produced by the host cells described herein, wherein said bioconjugates comprise a carrier protein linked to a hybrid oligosaccharide or polysaccharide that does not comprise a hexose at the reducing end of its first repeat unit.

Abstract: An isolated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) membrane protein complex that comprises gH, gL and at least one more HCMV glycoprotein is provided. In some embodiments the complex consists of gH, gL and gO. In other embodiments the complex consists of gH, gL, pUL128, pUL130 and pUL131A. Processes for expressing and purifying such complexes, and subsequent uses of such complexes in immunogenic compositions and vaccines, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of producing diphtheria toxin. In particular, the present invention provides novel methods of producing nontoxic forms of diphtheria toxin, e.g., CRM197. The present invention also provides novel compositions comprising diphtheria toxin or nontoxic forms of diphtheria toxin, e.g., CRM197.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polypeptide which comprises: (i) an Rv2386c protein sequence; (ii) a variant of an Rv2386c protein sequence; of (iii) an immunogenic fragment of an Rv2386c protein sequence. In other aspects the invention is directed to associated polynucleotides, fusion proteins and methods for the treatment or prevention of tuberculosis.