Abstract: Compositions incorporating small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and certain lipid-conjugated polyamide compound-based delivery vehicles that are particularly useful in the delivery siRNA and other polynucleotides to cells. Also, methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unit dose composition comprising 0.2 ?g/kg to 48 ?g/kg of an FGF-2 of SEQ ID NO:2, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method for treating a human patient for coronary artery disease, comprising administering into one or more coronary vessels or a peripheral vein of said patient a safe and angiogenically effective dose of a recombinant FGF-2, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of FGF-2, alone or in combination with heparin, in a therapeutically effective carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the concentration of virus particles and/or virus antigens in a sample. In particular, the invention relates to determining the concentration of influenza virus particles/influenza virus antigens in a sample. The invention further relates to the use of an ion-exchange matrix for the determination of the concentration of virus particles and/or virus antigens in a sample.

Abstract: When preparing HBsAg for use in a combination vaccine, it is known to add a non-ionic detergent after the HBsAg has been purified. Adding detergents after purification of HBsAg is not optimal, however, as it requires a separate processing step during manufacture. Thus the invention uses them during HBsAg purification.

Abstract: NadA, App and ORF40 function as adhesins in N. meningitidis. Adhesion nad be modulated by targeting these three proteins. NadA allelic variants are also disclosed. Autoproteolytic cleavage of App is disclosed, as is removal of the activity by mutagenesis. App is processed and secreted into culture medium when expressed in E. coli. Mature App proteins are disclosed. Knockout mutants are disclosed. Vesicles from non-Neisserial hosts with heterologous adhesion expression are disclosed.

Abstract: Two or more Neisserial proteins are joined such that they are translated as a single polypeptide chain. Hybrid proteins are represented by the formula NH2-A-[-X-L-]n-B—COOH where X is an amino acid sequence, L is an optional linker amino acid sequence, A is an optional N-terminal amino acid sequence, B is an optional C-terminal amino acid sequence, and n is an integer greater than 1. Proteins where each of the n -X- moieties shares sequence identity to each other -X- moiety, the protein is a ‘tandem protein’.

Abstract: Influenza vaccines containing insoluble particulate adjuvants have been found to elicit an IgG response that is primarily a TH2 response (IgG1). This response can be shifted towards a TH1 response (IgG2a) by including immunopotentiators in the compositions. Thus the invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: (i) an influenza virus antigen; (ii) an insoluble particulate adjuvant; and (iii) a immunopotentiator.

Abstract: M-CSF-specific RX1-based or RX-1 derived antibodies are provided, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing such antibody, kits containing a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of preventing and treating bone loss in a subject afflicted with an osteolytic disease.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) amino acid sequences. Over 2500 specific NTHi proteins are disclosed. The invention also provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be usedin medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by H. influenzae, such as otitis media.

Abstract: When preparing HBsAg for use in a combination vaccine, it us known to add a non-ionic detergent after the HBsAg has been purified. Adding detergents after purification of HBsAg is not optimal, however, as it requires a separate processing step during manufacture. Thus the invention uses them during HBsAg purification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding immunogenic HIV polypeptides. Uses of the polypeptides in applications including immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of HIV polypeptides are also described. Polynucleotides encoding antigenic HIV polypeptides are described, as are uses of these polynucleotides and polypeptide products therefrom, including formulations of immunogenic compositions and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unit dose composition comprising 0.2 ?g/kg to 48 ?g/kg of an FGF-2 of SEQ ID NO:2, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method for treating a human patient for coronary artery disease, comprising administering into one or more coronary vessels or a peripheral vein of said patient a safe and angiogenically effective dose of a recombinant FGF-2, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of FGF-2, alone or in combination with heparin, in a therapeutically effective carrier.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of therapy for treating diseases mediated by stimulation of CD40 signaling on CD40-expressing cells are provided. The methods comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to a patient in need thereof. The antagonist anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is free of significant agonist activity, but exhibits antagonist activity when the antibody binds a CD40 antigen on a human CD40-expressing cell. Antagonist activity of the anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof beneficially inhibits proliferation and/or differentiation of human CD40-expressing cells, such as B cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of a new adhesin islands within the genomes of several Group A and Group B Streptococcus serotypes and isolates. The adhesin islands are thought to encode surface proteins which are important in the bacteria's virulence. Thus, the adhesin island proteins of the invention may be used in immunogenic compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic immunization against GAS or GBS infection. For example, the invention may include an immunogenic composition comprising one or more of the discovered adhesin island proteins.

Abstract: Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(?-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Also provided are compositions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. Immunogenic compositions having an immunostimulating amount of an antigenic substance, and an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions incorporating small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) and certain lipid-conjugated polyamide compound-based delivery vehicles that are particularly useful in the delivery siRNA and other polynucleotides to cells. Also, methods of making and using the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various open reading frames from a strain of E. coli responsible for neonatal meningitis (MNEC), and a subset of these that is of particular interest for preparing compositions for immunising against MNEC infections.

Abstract: Adjuvant compositions comprising type 1 interferon inducers, such as double-stranded RNA, in combination with antigen delivery systems and/or immunostimulatory molecules, such as immunostimulatory nucleic acid sequences, for enhancing the immune response of a coadministered antigen, are described.

Abstract: A combination of CpG oligonucleotides and polymer microparticles is an extremely effective adjuvant for Neisserial antigens. The invention therefore provides a composition comprising: (a) a Neisserial antigen; (b) a CpG oligonucleotide; and (c) a biodegradable polymer microparticle.