Abstract: Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: Immunogenic polypeptides corresponding to one or more RSV G glycoproteins, or analogues thereof, are provided as components of vaccines. The inventive compositions are useful as both a prophylactic and therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of RSV infections and associated pulmonary or other diseases. The inventive immunogens include regions of the RSV G protein, specifically, amino acid residues 164-176 of RSV G A2 protein or analogues thereof. This inventive immunogen is operable alone or in combination with other polypeptides such as the RSV G protein amino acid residues 155-206, or other vaccines such as live RSV vaccines, or inactivated RSV vaccines or immunogenic analogues thereof.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated mammalian negative strand RNA virus, metapneumovirus (MPV), within the sub-family Pneumoviridae, of the family Paramyxoviridae. Also provided are isolated mammalian negative strand RNA viruses identifiable as phylogenetically corresponding or relating to the genus Metapneumovirus and components thereof. In particular, provided is a mammalian MPV, subgroups and variants thereof. Also provided are genomic nucleotide sequences of different isolates of mammalian MPV, in particular, human MPV. Disclosed is the use of the sequence information of different isolates of mammalian MPV for diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Provided are nucleotide sequences encoding the genome of a MPV or a portion thereof, including both mammalian and avian MPV. Further described are chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by the nucleotide sequences, and chimeric and recombinant mammalian MPV that comprise one or more non-native or heterologous sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimaeric coronavirus S protein which is based on an S protein from a coronavirus strain with restricted tissue tropism, but which comprises at least part of the S2 subunit from a coronavirus strain with extended tissue tropism, such that a virus comprising the chimaeric S protein has extended tissue tropism. The present invention also provides a virus comprising such a chimaeric S protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides viral adjuvants for enhancing an immune response to an immunogen. In particular embodiments, the viral adjuvant is an alphavirus adjuvant or a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis viral adjuvant. Also provided are compositions comprising the viral adjuvant and an immunogen, and pharmaceutical formulations comprising the viral adjuvant or compositions of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response against an immunogen in a subject comprising administering the immunogen and a viral adjuvant of the invention to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing the immune response of a human in need of protection against influenza virus (IV) infection by administering in vivo, into a tissue of the human, at least one polynucleotide comprising one or more regions of nucleic acid encoding an IV protein or a fragment, a variant, or a derivative thereof, or a protein encoded thereby. The polynucleotide is incorporated into the cells of the human in vivo, and an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic epitope of an IV, or a fragment, variant, or derivative thereof is produced in vivo. The IV protein (in purified form or in the form of an inactivated IV vaccine) is also administered in an immunologically effective amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing pH-stable enveloped viruses wherein said viruses are used for infection of host cells under low pH conditions and for incubation with cell culture cells under conditions of low pH, as well as influenza viruses obtainable by this method which exhibit a high growth rate in cell culture, increased pH and temperature stability and which have human receptor specificity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for producing and/or propagating virus particles, such as influenza virus particles, that are present in a virus isolate obtained from an infected subject by contacting a host cell with a virus particle and culturing the cell under conditions conducive to propagation of the virus particle. The invention also provides a method for selective propagation of a set of virus particles, such as influenza virus particles present in an influenza isolate, which have an affinity for receptors comprising a specific glycosylation residue.

Abstract: A mutant herpesvirus that has a mutated gene that encodes a mutant infected cell protein 0 (ICP0) can be used in therapeutic methods as well as in diagnostics and research experiments. The encoded mutant ICP0 protein can be altered in one or more regions of ICP0 that are substantially conserved between two or more herpesviruses and/or within a phosphorylation region. The mutant herpesvirus can be substantially avirulent and immunogenic.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lyophilized rotavirus vaccine formulations and methods of their preparation. The formulations include vaccine stabilizers, resulting in a vaccine formulation with enhanced stability and minimal loss of potency. The rotavirus vaccine formulations comprise an advantageous ratio of a disaccharide (such as sucrose) to an amino acid (such as glycine). The lyophilization results in a virus formulation with 100% virus preservation and residual moisture from about 0.8% to 1.4%.

Abstract: Two new TLR2 agonists, VP1 and VP3, which are structural proteins of FMDV. Residues of VP3 responsible for TLR2 activation are identified. In vivo experiments showed that VP3-4xM2e is active as a vaccine adjuvant.

Abstract: A liquid or liquid-frozen composition comprising: a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus or variant or derivative thereof and mannitol, wherein mannitol is the sole stabilization agent of the composition. The mannitol may provide a stabilizing effect at 0 to +10° C. or in a liquid-frozen composition, for example between ?10° C. and ?30° C. or between ?20° C. and ?23.5° C. The MVA may be used as a vaccine or for use in gene therapy, virotherapy, immunotherapy, or cancer therapy in a mammal, preferably a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant raccoon poxvirus vectors that express the rabies virus glycoprotein gene at the hemagglutinin (ha) locus of the poxvirus genome or express the glycoprotein gene of the same or different rabies strains at the thymidine kinase (tk) and the hemagglutinin (ha) loci of the poxvirus genome, and their use as adjuvant-free vaccines. The raccoon poxvirus vector comprises the nucleic acid molecules encoding the glycoprotein of a Challenge Virus Standard rabies strain inserted and expressed at the tk locus of the poxvirus genome and of a Pasteur-Paris rabies strain inserted and expressed at the ha locus of the poxvirus genome. The vaccine may optionally contain a mixture of additional feline and canine antigens for immunization of animals. Also disclosed are methods for inducing an immune response to rabies in a mammal by administering to the mammal an effective immunizing amount of the vaccine of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of PRRS viruses and infectious clones obtained from PRRS viruses. Furthermore, the invention relates to vaccines and diagnostic assays obtainable by using and modifying such infectious clones of PRRS viruses. The invention provides a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replicon having at least some of its original PRRSV nucleic acid deleted, said replicon capable of in vivo RNA replication, said replicon further having been deprived of at least some of its original PRRSV nucleic acid and/or having been supplemented with nucleic acid derived from a heterologous microorganism.

Abstract: Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the purification of cell-associated viruses from adherent cells (e.g., MDCK or Vero cells). In particular, the present invention provides purification methods for the production of immunogenic compositions comprising a live attenuated cell-associated virus (e.g., an attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or cold-adapted, and/or temperature sensitive influenza virus) that result in levels of host cell DNA (HCD), host cell protein (HCP) and non-specific endonuclease (e.g., Benzonase), which are below the specifications required by regulatory agencies. The immunogenic compositions can be used to actively immunize subjects or to generate antibodies for a variety of uses, including passive immunization and diagnostic immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated H3 equine influenza A virus, as well as methods of preparing and using the virus, and genes or proteins thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that contain a chimeric papillomavirus virus-like particle (VLP) in combination with a DNA molecule encoding a protein or polypeptide epitope. The chimeric papillomavirus VLP is assembled from an L1 protein or polypeptide and a chimeric protein or polypeptide containing at least a portion of the L2 protein and a protein or polypeptide including an immunogenic epitope. The composition is useful for inducing an enhanced immune response against a pathogen or a tumor.

Abstract: There is provided an HSV complex which comprises an avirulent HSV and a targeting agent which allows the HSV particle to infect and lyse a specific targeted cell. The inventors have found a way in which avirulent HSV can be targeted to disease cells, e.g. cancer cells, by incorporating an antibody binding domain into one or more viral glycoproteins.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment or prevention of RSV disease by modulating RSV infection and immunity. In particular, amino acid sequences in the RSV G glycoprotein, containing the chemokine motif defined as C-X-X-X-C (or CX3C), are identified that are essential in causing RSV infection and disease. The chemokine motif is biologically active and participates in virus binding to and infection of susceptible cells. The prevention or treatment of RSV infection is achieved by interfering with the motif, such as by administering a vaccine in which the motif is altered or by administration or induction of blocking molecules that inhibit the biological activity of the motif.