Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified natural killer (NK) cell and its use in personalised medicine. The modified NK cells of the present invention are non-immunogenic, meaning that they are able to be administered to any recipient subject without being rejected by the host immune system (they are “universal”). In a first embodiment the non-immunogenic NK cells are modified to express CD3 to allow a T-cell Receptor (TcR) to be expressed. In a further embodiment the non-immunogenic NK cells are further modified to express a TcR together with the CD3 co-receptor. Co-expression of CD3 with a specific TcR results in the modified NK cells showing antigen-specific cytotoxicity towards target cells. Universal NK cells can thus be targeted against specific antigens, and may thus be used in personalised medicine, particularly in the field of oncology.

Abstract: Provided herein are stem cells and methods for producing a culture of stem cells from urine. The stem cells may be differentiated into an osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, endothelial, neurogenic or myogenic lineage. Methods of use of the cells are provided, including methods of treating a subject in need of a cell based therapy.

Abstract: Bacteria with tumor-targeting capability express, surface displayed, secreted and/or released modified chimeric therapeutic proteins with enhanced therapeutic activity against a neoplastic tissue including solid tumors, lymphomas and leukemias. The bacteria may be attenuated, non-pathogenic, low pathogenic or a probiotic. The chimeric proteins may be protease sensitive and may optionally be further accompanied by co-expression of a secreted protease inhibitor as a separate molecule or as a fusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retroviral system for the transfer of non-viral RNA into target cells and more particularly a retroviral particle capable of delivering multiple RNAs. More particularly, it relates to retroviral particles comprising a protein derived from the Gag polyprotein an envelope protein, optionally an integrase and at least two encapsidated non-viral RNAs, the encapsidated non-viral RNAs each comprising an RNA sequence of interest linked to an encapsidation sequence, each encapsidation sequence being recognised by a binding domain introduced into the protein derived from the Gag polyprotein and/or into the integrase.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for treating companion animals are provided. An adeno-associated viral vector is provided which includes a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence encoding erythropoietin (EPO). In desired embodiments, the subject is a cat or dog.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for genetically modifying lymphocytes and methods for performing adoptive cellular therapy that include transducing T cells and/or NK cells. The methods can include inhibitory RNA molecule(s) and/or engineered signaling polypeptides that can include a lymphoproliferative element, and/or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), for example a microenvironment restricted biologic CAR (MRB-CAR). Additional elements of such engineered signaling polypeptides are provided herein, such as those that drive proliferation and regulatory elements therefor, as well as replication incompetent recombinant retroviral particles and packaging cell lines and methods of making the same. Numerous elements and methods for regulating transduced and/or genetically modified T cells and/or NK cells are provided, such as, for example, those including riboswitches, MRB-CARs, recognition domains, and/or pH-modulating agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that can for example serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, or to stimulate T cells ex vivo and transfer into patients. Peptides bound to molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), or peptides as such, can also be targets of antibodies, soluble T-cell receptors, and other binding molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of nucleotide repeat expansion disorders such as myotonic dystrophy.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing CD38 antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for a functional ?-galactosidase A protein wherein the nucleotide sequence has at least 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1. Also described is a vector, host cell or transgenic animal comprising the nucleic acid molecule; and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector. Further, the use of the nucleic acid molecule in a method of treating Fabry disease is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to promoters derived from the AAV anti-sense strand, their use in the expression of one or more heterologous coding sequences, and isolated polynucleotides, vectors and recombinant viruses comprising the promoters. The present disclosure also relates to enhancers derived from the AAV anti-sense strand, their use in increasing the expression of one or more heterologous coding sequences, and isolated polynucleotides, vectors and recombinant viruses comprising the enhancers.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) specific to B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), a recombinant expression vector and a method for the development of the genetically modified immune effector cells especially natural killer-92 cells (NK-92 cells) that target Multiple Myeloma (MM) and other hematological malignancies. The invention encompasses a single chain variable region (scFv) from BCMA specific antibody fused via transmembrane domain to intracellular signaling domain and two co-stimulatory molecules. Expression of CARs across the plasma membrane of immune effector cells such as natural killer cells (NK cells), NK-92 cells, T lymphocytes (T cells) and natural killer T cells (NKT cells) with exposed scFv interacting with the BCMA tumor target. The interaction initiates cascade of events through the intracellular stimulatory and signaling domains leading to the activation of immune effector cells followed by lysis of the tumor.

Abstract: An adenovirus comprising an E1A polypeptide comprising one or more modifications and comprising an E4orf6/7 polypeptide comprising one or more modifications is described. Compositions and kits comprising the modified adenoviruses are also described. Further described is a method of treating a proliferative disorder in a subject comprising administering to the subject an adenovirus comprising the E1A polypeptide comprising one or more modifications and comprising the E4orf6/7 polypeptide comprising one or more modifications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods for treatment of diseases associated with aberrant lysosomal function, for example Parkinson's disease and Gaucher disease. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides expression constructs comprising a transgene encoding beta-Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) or a portion thereof, Lysosomal Membrane Protein 2 (LIMP2), Prosaposin, or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of Parkinson's disease by administering such expression constructs to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing BCMA antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing CD38 antigen binding domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides for delivery, engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are delivery systems and tissues or organ which are targeted as sites for delivery. Also provided are vectors and vector systems some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells to ensure enhanced specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity and to edit or modify a target site in a genomic locus of interest to alter or improve the status of a disease or a condition.

Abstract: The object is to provide a tumor antigen peptide that is specifically presented on a cancer and a cancer stem cell, and a pharmaceutical composition, etc. that is useful for the prevention and/or treatment of a cancer and contains the above peptide as an active ingredient. The above object has been accomplished by providing a BORIS-derived partial peptide belonging to isoform A or C or subfamily 5 or 6, a polynucleotide encoding the peptide, a pharmaceutical composition containing the above as an active ingredient, and an agent for the prevention and/or treatment of a cancer, the agent containing the above as an active ingredient and inducing CTLs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) helper vectors that are capable of increasing the packaging efficiency of recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (rAAV) and their use to improve the packaging efficiency of such rAAV. The present invention is particularly directed to recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) helper vectors that have been further modified to replace (or augment) the P5 and/or P40 promoter sequences that are natively associated with the Rep proteins encoded by such rAAV with AAV P5 and/or P40 promoters that are associated with the Rep proteins of an rAAV of different serotype. The use of such substitute or additional promoter sequences causes increased production of recombinantly-modified adeno-associated virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oncolytic adenoviruses with functional deletions of immunodominant T-cell epitopes of adenovirus proteins, as well as to methods of using the oncolytic adenoviruses for the treatment of diseases, such as cancer. The oncolytic adenoviruses may also contain one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences each encoding a tumor antigen or epitope. The oncolytic adenoviruses may also contain other mutations and insertions of DNA sequences used to confer selectivity and antitumor potency. The invention has application in the field of cancer therapy.