Abstract: To formulate amphiphilic pharmacological agents (in particular, amphiphilic immunopotentiators) in oil-in-water emulsions the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase, a surfactant, and a phospholipid.

Abstract: A split influenza virus vaccine is adjuvanted with an oil-in-water emulsion that contains free surfactant in its aqueous phase. The free surfactant can continue to exert a ‘splitting effect’ on the antigen, thereby disrupting any unsplit virions and/or virion aggregates that might be present.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver nucleic acid molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The emulsion particles have an average diameter of about 80 nm to about 180 nm, and the emulsion have an N/P ratio of at least 1.1:1.

Abstract: High loading of lipophilic pharmacological agents (in particular, lipophilic immunopotentiators) in oil-in-water emulsions can result in crystallisation of the lipophilic agent. To overcome this problem the invention uses an oil-in-water emulsion in combination with a crystallisation inhibitor, and this combination provides emulsions which can be loaded with high levels of lipophilic pharmacological agents.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that contain high concentrations of cationic lipids and have a defined oil:lipid ratio. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are useful for delivering negatively charged molecules, such as nucleic acid molecules to cells, and for formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that can be used to deliver negatively charged molecules, such as an RNA molecule. The emulsion particles comprise an oil core and a cationic lipid. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are particularly suitable for delivering nucleic acid molecules (such as an RNA molecule encoding an antigen) to cells and formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: Retinoic acid, or an analogue thereof, is delivered within an oil-in-water emulsion to provide an improved immunological adjuvant.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to cationic oil-in-water emulsions that contain high concentrations of cationic lipids and have a defined oil:lipid ratio. The cationic lipid can interact with the negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the emulsion particles. The cationic emulsions described herein are useful for delivering negatively charged molecules, such as nucleic acid molecules to cells, and for formulating nucleic acid-based vaccines.

Abstract: Influenza vaccines include hemagglutinin from at least one influenza A virus strain and at least one influenza B virus strain. They also include an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant with submicron oil droplets, comprising squalene. In some embodiments the hemagglutinin concentration is >12 ?g/ml per strain. In some embodiments the squalene concentration is <19 mg/ml. In some embodiments the vaccine is mercury-free. In some embodiments the vaccine has a unit dose volume between 0.2-0.3 mL. In some embodiments the squalene concentration is 9.75 mg/mL or 4.88 mg/mL. In some embodiments the vaccine includes antigens from two influenza A virus strains and two influenza B virus strains.

Abstract: Serogroup B meningococcus antigens can successfully be combined with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis toxoids (“DTP”) to provide effective combination vaccines for protecting against multiple pathogens. These combinations are effective with a range of different adjuvants, and with both pediatric-type and booster-type DTP ratios. The adjuvant can improve the immune response which the composition elicits; alternatively, by including an adjuvant it is possible for the compositions to have a relatively lower amount of antigen while nevertheless having immunogenicity which is comparable to unadjuvanted combination vaccines.

Abstract: Influenza viruses have traditionally been administered by intramuscular injection. The invention is based on the idea of using alternative routes of delivery for influenza vaccines, more specifically routes that do not require as large a dose of antigen. Delivery of influenza antigen to the Langerhans cells is the route of choice according to the invention. This route has been found to be particularly useful for vaccinating patients who are naïve to influenza virus (i.e. have not previously mounted an immune response to an influenza virus), which means that it is advantageous for immunising young children.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides sterile microparticle compositions comprising biodegradable microparticles, which comprise at least one biodegradable polymer. In other aspects, the present invention provides methods of making and using such compositions as well as articles of manufacture and kits containing the same.

Abstract: Combination vaccine compositions as well as methods for their manufacture have a relatively low amount of antigen and/or a relatively low amount of aluminium, but they can nevertheless have immunogenicity which is comparable to combination vaccines with a relatively high amount of antigen and/or a relatively high amount of aluminium. Aluminium-free combination vaccine compositions are also provided e.g. compositions which are adjuvanted with an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: Influenza vaccines are administered using solid biodegradable microneedles. The microneedles are fabricated from the influenza vaccine in combination with solid excipient(s) and, after penetrating the skin, they dissolve in situ and release the vaccine to the immune system. The influenza vaccine is (i) a purified influenza virus surface antigen vaccine, rather than a live vaccine or a whole-virus or split inactivated vaccine (ii) an influenza vaccine prepared from viruses grown in cell culture, not eggs, (iii) a monovalent influenza vaccine e.g. for immunising against a pandemic strain, (iv) a bivalent vaccine, (v) a tetravalent or >4-valent vaccine, (vi) a mercury-free vaccine, or (vii) a gelatin-free vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to homogeneous suspensions of small molecule immune potentiators (SMIPs) that are capable of stimulating or modulating an immune response in a subject in need thereof. The homogeneous suspensions may be used in combinations with various antigens or adjuvants for vaccine therapies.

Abstract: The invention improves TdaP vaccines by including a TLR agonist in them. This agonist can provide stronger protection, longer-lasting protection, and/or can reduce the amount of antigen which is required to achieve a particular immune response.

Abstract: Combination vaccine compositions as well as methods for their manufacture have a relatively low amount of antigen and/or a relatively low amount of aluminium, but they can nevertheless have immunogenicity which is comparable to combination vaccines with a relatively high amount of antigen and/or a relatively high amount of aluminium. Aluminium-free combination vaccine compositions are also provided e.g. compositions which are adjuvanted with an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant.

Abstract: The invention improves TdaP vaccines by including a TLR agonist in them. This agonist can provide stronger protection, longer-lasting protection, and/or can reduce the amount of antigen which is required to achieve a particular immune response.

Abstract: Oil-in-water emulsions with small droplet sizes can be formed without requiring either microfluidisation or heating to cause phase inversion, but rather by simple mixing of a pre-mixed composition of oil and surfactant with aqueous material. The oil/surfactant compositions can be mixed with an excess volume of aqueous material to spontaneously form an oil-in-water emulsion with droplets having a diameter<250 nm which shows good adjuvant activity. In general the oil makes up more than 50% by volume of the oil/surfactant composition, and the surfactant makes up the remainder.

Abstract: An intradermal delivery system comprises an immunogenic composition comprising a TLR agonist and immunogen and a microneedle. The immunogenic composition may comprise a solid biodegradable microneedle or a solid coated microneedle. The intradermal delivery system may be formulated into a skin patch.