Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell, which comprises under the control of a heterologous promoter a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of synthesizing a polysaccharide consisting of a dimeric repeating unit as well as to a vaccine composition comprising such host cell. Furthermore, either such host cell or a polypeptide expressed by such host cell is used for the production of a polysaccharide consisting of a dimeric repeating unit which may be used as a glycoconjugate vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell, which comprises under the control of a heterologous promoter a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of synthesizing a polysaccharide consisting of a dimeric repeating unit as well as to a vaccine composition comprising such host cell. Furthermore, either such host cell or a polypeptide expressed by such host cell is used for the production of a polysaccharide consisting of a dimeric repeating unit which may be used as a glycoconjugate vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for producing Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides which have a defined length. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one capsule polymerase, at least one donor carbohydrate and at least one acceptor carbohydrate, wherein the ratio of donor carbohydrate to acceptor carbohydrate is a ratio from 10:1 to 400:1. Moreover, the present invention provides truncated versions of the capsule polymerases of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and X. Also provided herein are pharmaceuticals, in particular vaccines, comprising the synthetic capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis which have a defined length. Furthermore, the invention provides for methods for the production of said vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods for producing Neisseria meningitidis capsular polysaccharides which have a defined length. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising at least one capsule polymerase, at least one donor carbohydrate and at least one acceptor carbohydrate, wherein the ratio of donor carbohydrate to acceptor carbohydrate is a ratio from 10:1 to 400:1. Moreover, the present invention provides truncated versions of the capsule polymerases of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and X. Also provided herein are pharmaceuticals, in particular vaccines, comprising the synthetic capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis which have a defined length. Furthermore, the invention provides for methods for the production of said vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides for an in vitro method for producing capsular polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides capsular polysaccharides obtainable by the methods described herein. The capsular polysaccharides comprise capsular polysaccharide specific for Neisseria meningitidis serogroups W-135, Y, X and A. Also encompassed are chimeric capsular polysaccharides comprising or composed of CPS of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups Y/W-135, W-135/Y, B/Y, C/Y, B/W-135, C/W-135, B/Y/W-135, C/Y/W-135, B/W-135/Y, C/W-135/Y. X/A or A/X. The invention also provides for the use of these capsular polysaccharides foi as pharmaceuticals, particularly as vaccines and/or diagnostics.