Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fragment of IgA1-protease having 40 to 200 amino acid residues and comprising at least 40 amino acids of an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1, beginning with the amino acid in any one of positions 1 to 5 and ending with an amino acid in any one of positions 40 to 104 or a homologous sequence, its use as a carrier for a conjugate, particularly in combination with a polysaccharide, and a process for producing the peptide as well as vaccines comprising said peptide.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fragment of IgA1-protease having 40 to 200 amino acid residues and comprising at least 40 amino acids of an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1, beginning with the amino acid in any one of positions 1 to 5 and ending with an amino acid in any one of positions 40 to 104 or a homologous sequence, its use as a carrier for a conjugate, particularly in combination with a polysaccharide, and a process for producing the peptide as well as vaccines comprising said peptide.

Abstract: On the basis of a first repertoire of genes coding for a population of one of two kinds of polypeptides capable of being combined, particularly an antibody light chain variable region, and at least one gene, and preferably a second repertoire coding for the other kind of polypeptide, particularly an antibody heavy chain variable region, the genes from the first repertoire are inserted into a first vector to form a vector population and the genes from the second repertoire are inserted into a second vector, at least one of said vectors being a recipient for the expression of both genes as polypeptides irreversibly combined with the outer surface of the product of said vector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine against Lyme Disease or its causative agent Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto or sensu lato) containing a plasmid a DNA encoding a promoter for driving expression in a mammalian cell, DNA encoding a leader peptide for facilitating secretion/release of a prokaryotic protein sequence from a mammalian cell, a DNA encoding Borrelia OspA or OspB, and a DNA encoding a terminator. Disclosed too is an immunogenic composition against Lyme Disease or its causative agent Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu stricto or sensu lato) containing a plasmid comprising a DNA encoding a promoter for driving expression in a mammalian cell, DNA encoding a leader peptide for facilitating secretion/release of a prokaryotic protein sequence from a mammalian cell, a DNA encoding a Borrelia OspC, and a DNA encoding a terminator. And, methods for making and using such vaccines and the immunogenic composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of virus-like particles (VLP's) of papillomavirus for preparing vector pseudoviruses useful for transferring genetic material into target cells of an organism

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to method for removing unconventional transmissible agents (UCTA) from aqueous protein solution. This method involves treating the aqueous protein solution with simultaneous electrostatic adsorption and hydrophobic chromatography. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for treating calf serum or an albumin solution.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions are disclosed which comprise at least one antigen formed by the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b or high molecular weight polyribosylribitol phosphate coupled to tetanus anatoxin.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a DNA fragment which encodes a protein capable of being recognised by an antiserum against the transferrin receptor of the strain IM2394 or IM2169 of N. meningitidis as well as a process for producing the said protein by a recombinant route. By way of example, such a DNA fragment encodes the tbp1 subunit of the strain IM2394 or IM2169 or the tbp2 subunit of the strain IM2394 or IM2169.

Abstract: What is described is a recombinant poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus, containing foreign DNA from Plasmodium Merozoite Surface Antigen 1. What is also described is a vaccine containing the recombinant poxvirus for inducing an immunological response in a host animal inoculated with the vaccine.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are compositions and methods for therapy and/or prevention of restenosis and/or atherosclerosis. The compositions can include an agent for decreasing viral load of cytomegalovirus, such as an immunological composition or vaccine against cytomegalovirus (CMV) containing at least one epitope of interest of CMV and/or an expression system which expresses at least one epitope of interest of CMV. Such compositions can include at least one epitope of p53. Alternatively, the compositions can include at least one epitope of p53 and/or an expression system which expresses the epitope. The methods can include administering the compositions to a patient in need of such therapy and/or prevention.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for industrially producing a Japanese encephalitis vaccine, wherein (a) cells from a cell line are cultured, (b) the resulting cell culture is inoculated with a Japanese encephalitis virus in the presence of a viral growth medium, (c) the virus is propagated and multiplied on the cells, (d) the viral growth medium is recovered in the form of a suspension of viruses produced by the cells, (e) the virus suspension is purified in at least one ion exchange chromatography step and a gel permeation step, and (f) the virus suspension is formulated and converted into a pharmaceutical form to preserve it until the moment of use. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine characterised in that it comprises a Japanese encephalitis virus produced by culturing cells from a cell line, and in that the cellular DNA content is less than 100 pg/dose, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cationic amphipathic compound of formula (I), ##STR1## wherein A is a single bond, an NH--R' grouping or (a), wherein --R'-- is a straight or branched, optionally substituted, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.1-22 aliphatic chain optionally interrupted by one or more O, S or N heteroatoms and one or more saturated, unsaturated or aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radicals; each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which are the same or different, is a higher acyl or alkyl grouping; each of R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9, which are the same or different, is a (CH.sub.2).sub.n alkylene radical where 1.ltoreq.N.ltoreq.6; each of R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, which are the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C.sub.1-22 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or acyl radical optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms selected from), S and N, or one or more saturated, unsaturated or aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radicals, or else at least two of the groupings R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.

Abstract: Method for preparing purified influenza antigens from a fluid containing influenza virus, comprising the steps of concentration, purification, fragmentation and, where appropriate, inactivation, characterized in that:A. either the purification step entails several ultracentrifugation steps separated by a filtration step,B. or the fragmentation step is performed on the live virus in the presence of an amphiphilic nonionic detergent, followed by a removal of undesirable substances by filtration, retaining all of the viral constituents,or these two steps are carried out in any order.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a DNA fragment which encodes a protein capable of being recognised by an antiserum against the transferrin receptor of the strain IM2394 or IM2169 of N. meningitidis as well as a process for producing the said protein by a recombinant route. By way of example, such a DNA fragment encodes the tbp1 subunit of the strain IM2394 or IM2169 or the tbp2 subunit of the strain IM2394 or IM2169.

Abstract: A method for purifying viruses from a cell line culture by chromatography, comprising an anion exchange chromatography step followed by a cation exchange chromatography step and optionally a metal-binding affinity chromatography step. The method is particularly suitable for producing viruses for use in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the lower molecular weight subunit of the human transferrin receptor of a strain of N. meningitidis, in purified form, as well as to a vaccinal pharmaceutical composition intended for the prevention or attenuation of the effects of an N. meningitidis infection, containing the said subunit in purified form.

Abstract: Plasmid DNA encoding at least one Borrelia genospecies antigen and methods for making and using such a plasmid are disclosed and claimed. The genospecies can be burgdorferi, garinii and/or afzelli. The antigen can be OspA and/or OspB and/or OspC. Compositions containing the plasmid DNA are useful for administration to a host susceptible to Lyme Disease for an in vivo response, such as a protective response, or for generating useful antibodies. The inventive plasmid can also be transfected into cells for generating antigens in vitro. And, the inventive plasmid can be prepared by isolating DNA (such as DNA coding for: promoter, leader sequence, antigen, and terminator) and performing a ligation or ligations, such as a three-way ligation. More particularly, administration of DNA encoding Borrelia genospecies antigen, e.g.

Abstract: What is described is a recombinant poxvirus, such as vaccinia virus, containing foreign DNA from Plasmodium Merozoite Surface Antigen 1. What is also described is a vaccine containing the recombinant poxvirus for inducing an immunological response in a host animal inoculated with the vaccine.

Abstract: The use, when preparing a vaccine composition containing a standard influenza virus vaccine, of an additive which consists of a core or core fraction of at least one influenza virus, especially a fraction containing protein M; and a vaccine composition thereby obtained. The use of said additive improves the vaccine's effectiveness.

Abstract: Biomaterial based on collagen comprises, intimately associated, a support forming a dermal substitute, said support comprising a layer based on type IV collagen and an epidermal epithelium having differentiated cells obtained by growing epidermal cells on said support.