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

Abstract: The invention relates to a live-attenuated yellow fever virus strain adapted to grow on Vero cells from a parent yellow fever virus 17D substrain that is not adapted to grow on Vero cells, wherein said live-attenuated yellow fever virus strain is less neurovirulent than said parent yellow fever virus 17D substrain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a live-attenuated yellow fever virus strain adapted to grow on Vero cells from a parent yellow fever virus 17D substrain that is not adapted to grow on Vero cells, wherein said live-attenuated yellow fever virus strain is less neurovirulent than said parent yellow fever virus 17D substrain.

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: This disclosure relates to methods for eliciting an immune response against C. difficile toxin A and toxin B in an adult human subject. The subject may be at risk for a primary symptomatic C. difficile infection. In some embodiments, a method is for eliciting an immune response against C. difficile toxin A and toxin B in an adult human subject at risk for a primary symptomatic C. difficile infection, and comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising C. difficile toxoid A and toxoid B at least three times, each administration being about seven days apart.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a novel and improved method for generating “mosaic” influenza antigenic polypeptides including hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) polypeptides based on unique combination of epitope patterns that maximize exposure to epitopes present across multiple HA or NA sequences and therefore improved influenza strain coverage. In particular, the present invention provides engineered H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides that are comprised of novel combinations of protective epitopes and antigenic regions from multiple H1N1 viral strains. Such engineered HA polypeptides have improved properties over HA polypeptides developed through conventional approaches that rely on consensus alignments of viral sequences.

Abstract: This application relates to the field of prevention of pneumonia by administration of a high-dose influenza vaccine.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing the production of recombinant proteins by introducing ICP0 to cells capable of producing a recombinant protein are encompassed. In one method, the recombinant protein is a protein that is required for the replication of a replication defective virus, wherein the recombinant protein is provided to the replication defective virus in trans.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to liquid and dried compositions comprising a live, attenuated or genetically modified herpesvirus and methods of preparing such compositions, in one aspect, the composition comprises at least two or more pharmaceutically acceptable exctpients, at least one of which is histidine and at least one of which is a sugar or sugar alcohol. The compositions retain a sufficiently high infectious titre following storage or large-scale manufacturing steps, such as lyophilization.