Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for cultivating a Bordetella species, comprising: cultivating a Bordetella species under aerobic conditions in a liquid culture medium; and maintaining a pH of the liquid culture medium by using a strong acid, such as nitric acid, or using a first and second acid, wherein the first acid is an inorganic acid that dissociates essentially completely in water, such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and wherein the second acid is an inorganic acid having an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of greater than 1, such as phosphoric acid. Methods for increasing the yield of Bordetella fimbrial agglutinogen 2 and fimbrial agglutinogen 3 (FIM2/3) in a supernatant fraction from a Bordetella culture are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid and to a polypeptide suitable for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with a flavivirus, in particular an infection with yellow fever virus or with dengue virus, or of a disorder related to such an infection. The present invention is also directed to a composition, preferably an immunogenic composition, comprising the artificial nucleic acid or the inventive polypeptide. In particular, the present invention concerns an immunogenic composition against a flavivirus, such as yellow fever virus or dengue virus. Further, the invention concerns a kit, particularly a kit of parts, comprising the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptide or (immunogenic) composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid and to a polypeptide suitable for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with a flavivirus, in particular an infection with yellow fever virus or with dengue virus, or of a disorder related to such an infection. The present invention is also directed to a composition, preferably an immunogenic composition, comprising the artificial nucleic acid or the inventive polypeptide. In particular, the present invention concerns an immunogenic composition against a flavivirus, such as yellow fever virus or dengue virus. Further, the invention concerns a kit, particularly a kit of parts, comprising the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptide or (immunogenic) composition.

Abstract: Provided are mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions comprising 21 different pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugates, wherein each of the conjugates includes a capsular polysaccharide from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae conjugated to either tetanus toxoid (TT) or CRM197, wherein the Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes are selected from 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11 A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F, where the capsular polysaccharides of two of serotypes 1, 3, and 5 and one or both of serotypes 15B and 22F are conjugated to TT and the remaining capsular polysaccharides are conjugated to CRM197. Also provided are methods of producing the mixed carrier, multivalent pneumococcal conjugate compositions and methods of using the same for prophylaxis against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection or disease in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, modified recombinant HA polypeptides with broadened immunogenic profile that extends coverage to antigenically distinct influenza strains and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid and to polypeptides suitable for use in treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with Zika virus or a disorder related to such an infection. In particular, the present invention concerns a Zika virus vaccine. The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines comprising the artificial nucleic acid or the polypeptides. The invention further concerns a method of treating or preventing a disorder or a disease, first and second medical uses of the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines. Further, the invention is directed to a kit, particularly to a kit of parts, comprising the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: Provided are novel vaccines for prophylactic treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 and methods of making the vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liposome comprising a saponin, a sterol, a phospholipid and a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist of formula (I), to methods of preparing liposomes, to compositions comprising them and to uses thereof, and to immunogenic compositions comprising such liposomes as adjuvant.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for generating an optimized nucleotide sequence encoding an engineered influenza structural protein and the optimized nucleotide sequences obtained therefrom. The optimized nucleotide sequences can be used in a reverse genetics system to facilitate the rescue of infectious influenza virus containing the engineered structural proteins and/or enhance viral titers. Also provided are methods of preparing an influenza vaccine composition using the optimized nucleotide sequences, as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the influenza vaccine composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, compositions, formulations, kits, uses, and methods for vaccinating a subject against Neisseria meningitidis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid and to polypeptides suitable for use in treatment or prophylaxis of an infection with Zika virus or a disorder related to such an infection. In particular, the present invention concerns a Zika virus vaccine. The present invention is directed to an artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines comprising the artificial nucleic acid or the polypeptides. The invention further concerns a method of treating or preventing a disorder or a disease, first and second medical uses of the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines. Further, the invention is directed to a kit, particularly to a kit of parts, comprising the artificial nucleic acid, polypeptides, compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds, compositions, formulations, kits, uses, and methods for vaccinating a subject against Neisseria meningitidis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of booster vaccination and to a vaccine composition for use in such a method, for inducing in a human subject a neutralizing antibody response, wherein said subject has previously received a primary vaccination against each of serotypes 1 to 4 of dengue virus and was dengue naïve before said primary vaccination, said composition comprising a dengue antigen of at least one of serotypes 1 to 4 or a nucleic acid construct capable of expressing said antigens in the subject, wherein said booster vaccination results in a 2-fold increase in the neutralizing antibody titre against each of serotypes 1 to 4.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions and vaccination regimes for immunizing humans against influenza disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cluster-based consensus approach for generating recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides. The disclosure further relates to influenza vaccine compositions comprising the recombinant HA polypeptides.

Abstract: A process line for the production of freeze-dried particles under closed conditions is provided, the process line comprising a freeze-dryer for the bulkware production of freeze-dried particles under closed conditions, the freeze-dryer comprising a rotary drum for receiving the frozen particles, and a stationary vacuum chamber housing the rotary drum, wherein for the production of the particles under closed conditions the vacuum chamber is adapted for closed operation during processing of the particles; the drum is in open communication with the vacuum chamber; and at least one transfer section is provided for a product transfer between a separate device of the process line and the freeze-dryer, the freeze-dryer and the transfer section being separately adapted for closed operation, wherein the transfer section comprises a temperature-controllable inner wall surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel immunological and vaccine formulations comprising a newly applied non-crosslinked polyacrylic acid polymer adjuvant. The adjuvants may be combined with a wide variety of immunogens to produce vaccines that are safe and effective when administered to a wide range of target animals. The immunogens may include, but are not limited to: inactivated pathogens, attenuated pathogens, subunits, recombinant expression vectors, plasmids or combinations thereof. The animals may include, but are not limited to: humans, murine, canines, felines, equines, porcines, ovines, caprines and bovines.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising an HCMV gB antigen, an HCMV gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131 pentameric complex antigen and a Th1-inducing adjuvant. If further relates to the immunogenic composition for use as an HCMV vaccine.

Abstract: A heating device (124) for heating particles to be freeze-dried in a rotary drum (102) of a freeze-dryer (100) is provided, the device comprising at least one radiation emitter (202) for applying radiation heat to the particles, and a tube-shaped separator (204) for separating the particles from the at least one emitter (202), The separator (202) being integrally closed at one end and separating an emitter volume (206) encompassing the at least one emitter (202) from a drum process volume (126) inside the drum (102), wherein the heating device (124) protrudes into the drum process volume (126) such that said integrally closed end of the separator (204) is arranged inside the drum (102) as a free end.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, for a liquid feeding device for the generation of droplets, in particular for the use in a process line for the production of freeze-dried particles, with a droplet ejection section for ejecting liquid droplets in an ejection direction, the droplet ejection section comprising at least one inlet port for receiving a liquid to be ejected, a liquid chamber for retaining the liquid, and a nozzle for ejecting the liquid from the liquid chamber to form droplets, wherein the liquid chamber is restricted by a membrane on one side thereof, the membrane being vibratable by an excitation unit, wherein the longitudinal axis of the liquid chamber is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, and/or the liquid feeding device further comprises a deflection section for separating the droplets from each other by means of at least one gas jet, wherein the deflection section gas jet intersects perpendicular with an ejection path of the liquid ejected from the liquid chamb