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

Abstract: The invention especially relates to multivalent vaccine compositions that can treat or prevent at least 60, preferably 75% of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis especially of serogroup B. To this end, the invention in particular provides a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of N. meningitidis in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 or L8 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 and in position O-6 or O-7 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent, and also to the construction of the strain of N. meningitidis that is capable of expressing such an LOS. The invention also relates to a strain of N. meningitidis of serogroup A that bears a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent and does not bear a PEA substituent in positions O-6 and O-7.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising at least two Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) protein antigens selected from the group consisting of a trypsin-like serine protease auto-transporter antigen such as IgAI P, App or AusI antigen, a NalP antigen and a TbpB antigen. Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises (i) the trypsin-like serine protease auto-transporter antigen and (ii) the NalP antigen and/or TbpB antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides co-administration (for example, immunogenic cocktail compositions and/or prime-boost regimens) of computationally optimized H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides. Co-administration of the optimized H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) polypeptides facilitates synergistic neutralization of viral infection and provides for improved protective immunity (e.g., a broad reactive immune response) to diverse and multiple H1N1 influenza virus strains, including both seasonal and pandemic strains.

Abstract: The present invention describes a combined vaccine that offers broad protection against meningococcal disease caused by the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccine is comprised of four distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates that are formulated as a single dose of vaccine. Purified capsular polysaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y are chemically activated and selectively attached to a carrier protein by means of a covalent chemical bond, forming polysaccharide-protein conjugates capable of eliciting long-lasting immunity to a variety of N. meningitidis strains in children as well as adults.

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 invention relates to polymerized recombinant proteins, to recombinant nucleic acids coding for the polymerized recombinant proteins, to expression cassettes comprising the recombinant nucleic acids, to host cells transformed by the expression cassettes and to a method for multimerizing a recombinant protein. The polymerized proteins of the invention may be used in pharmaceutical or immunogenic compositions. In particular, the recombinant proteins may be antigens, antibodies or scaffolds. In particular, the polymerized recombinant protein may be an influenza haemagglutinin.

Abstract: The invention provides flavivirus vaccines and methods of making and using these vaccines.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile ) toxin A or toxin B and methods of using the same to detect or treat C. difficile infections and/or C. difficile -associated disease. C. difficile is a gram positive, anaerobic bacterium that causes gastrointestinal disease in humans. The bacteria are transmitted through feces and spread to food and other surfaces when people who are infected do not thoroughly wash their hands.

Abstract: The present invention describes a combined vaccine that offers broad protection against meningococcal disease caused by the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccine is comprised of four distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates that are formulated as a single dose of vaccine. Purified capsular polysaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y are chemically activated and selectively attached to a carrier protein by means of a covalent chemical bond, forming polysaccharide-protein conjugates capable of eliciting long-lasting immunity to a variety of N. meningitidis strains in children as well as adults.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing, on an industrial scale, capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (PRP) intended for vaccine purposes, according to which a strain of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is cultured in a culture medium, the culture supernatant is harvested and treated in order to extract the capsular polysaccharide therefrom, said culture medium comprising at least: —one source of carbon, —protoporphyrin, —salts, —amino acids, —NAD or NADH, —vitamins, —means for regulating the pH, characterized in that said culture medium is chemically defined.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to induce neutralizing antibodies in mammals to serotypes of dengue virus, measles virus, mumps virus, rubella and/or VZV virus.

Abstract: The invention especially relates to multivalent vaccine compositions that can treat or prevent at least 60, preferably 75% of infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis especially of serogroup B. To this end, the invention in particular provides a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) of N. meningitidis in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 or L8 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 and in position O-6 or O-7 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent, and also to the construction of the strain of N. meningitidis that is capable of expressing such an LOS. The invention also relates to a strain of N. meningitidis of serogroup A that bears a lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in particular constituted by a lipid A, an inner core, an ? chain of L6 type, in which the heptose II residue of the inner core bears in position O-3 a phosphoethanolamine (PEA) substituent and does not bear a PEA substituent in positions O-6 and O-7.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, improved influenza vaccines based on hemagglutinins containing one or more alkylated cysteine residues. In particular, the present invention provides influenza vaccines containing hemagglutinins treated with an alkylating agent and methods of making the same. Inventive influenza vaccines provided by the present invention have a remarkable ability to retain potency as determined by Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) assay upon storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerized recombinant proteins, to recombinant nucleic acids coding for the polymerized recombinant proteins, to expression cassettes comprising the recombinant nucleic acids, to host cells transformed by the expression cassettes and to a method for multimerizing a recombinant protein. The polymerized proteins of the invention may be used in pharmaceutical or immunogenic compositions. In particular, the recombinant proteins may be antigens, antibodies or scaffolds. In particular, the polymerized recombinant protein may be an influenza haemagglutinin.

Abstract: A system and method provide for high through put determination of agglutination states. The system includes a rotating table and multiple plate tilting stations. The system also includes one or more optical paths positioned to image entire plate arrays in tilted and/or untilted configurations. The system preferably includes image analysis software to analyze an image of an array of test wells and determine an agglutination state of each well based on the image analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conjugate of a saccharide covalently bound to a carrier protein, wherein the saccharide comprises repetitive units of 1,5 ribitol phosphate in which all the ribitol residues are substituted by N-acetyl D-glucosaminyl residues at the 4-position, and wherein said N-acetyl D-glucosaminyl residues are exclusively in anomeric configuration ? or are exclusively in anomeric configuration ? and wherein the carrier protein provides at least one epitope to the conjugate which is recognized by T helper lymphocytes.

Abstract: A system and method provide for high through put determination of agglutination states. The system includes a rotating table and multiple plate tilting stations. The system also includes one or more optical paths positioned to image entire plate arrays in tilted and/or untilted configurations. The system preferably includes image analysis software to analyze an image of an array of test wells and determine an agglutination state of each well based on the image analysis.

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

Abstract: A process line (300) for the production of freeze-dried particles under closed conditions is provided, the process line comprising at least the following separate devices: a spray chamber (302) for droplet generation and freeze congealing of the liquid droplets to form particles, and a bulk freeze-dryer (304) for freeze drying the particles, wherein a transfer section (308) is provided for a product transfer from the spray chamber (302) to the freeze-dryer (304), for the production of the particles under end-to-end closed conditions each of the devices (302, 304) and of the transfer section (308) is separately adapted for closed operation, and the spray chamber (302) is adapted for separation of the liquid droplets from any cooling circuit.