Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of infection and disease caused by group A and group C streptococci. In particular, the invention provides low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid linked to a carrier and compositions comprising them. The compositions elicit antibodies to low molecular weight hyaluronic acid which are cross-reactive with group A and C streptococci and which are minimally cross-reactive with native hyaluronic acid. The invention is particularly useful for providing both active and passive immunogenic protection for those infected with or at risk of infection with group A and group C streptococci. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and compositions useful for diagnosing infections and diseases caused by group A and group C streptococci.

Abstract: Disclosed is an H. influenzae type b polysaccharide-meningococcal outer membrane protein conjugate, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use thereof to induce an immune response to H. influenzae in an animal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an H. influenzae type b polysaccharide-meningococcal outer membrane protein conjugate, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use thereof to induce an immune response to H. influenzae in an animal.

Abstract: The process for depolymerizing Group B Types II and III Streptococcal Polysaccharide is disclosed which results in polysaccharide fragments having a reducing end suitable for conjugating to protein. Conjugate molecules, vaccines and their use to immunize mammals including humans are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: The process for depolymerizing Group B Types II and III Streptococcus is disclosed which results in polysaccharide fragments having a reducing end suitable for conjugating to protein. Conjugate molecules, vaccines and their use to immunize mammals including humans are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like, as well as antibodies to these conjugate vaccines. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: A procedure to isolate large quantities of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) from culture supernatants as well as bacterial cells of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria using base extraction is described. The procedure is simple, rapid, reproducible and applicable to a variety of bacterial species. The method also yields novel CPS characterized by their lack of covalent attachment to extraneous peptidoglycan. Vaccines and methods of immunization against bacterial infection using the CPS obtained by the process of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process for depolymerizing Group B Types II and III Streptococcus is disclosed which results in polysaccharide fragments having a reducing end suitable for conjugating to protein. Conjugate molecules, vaccines and their use to immunize mammals including humans are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified pneumolysin polypeptides that retain the immunogenic nature of pneumolysin but have reduced or undetectable hemolytic activity compared to native pneumolysin. The invention also provides a method for generating novel pneumolysin variants with these desired characteristic properties. The invention also provides immunogenic compositions useful as pharmaceutical compositions including vaccines in which non-toxic, modified pneumolysin is used to stimulate protective immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccines may be compositions in which the modified pneumolysin is conjugated to bacterial polysaccharides or may be carried on an attenuated viral vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to the accurate and precise direct molar-mass measurement of low-molar-mass fragments of polysaccharides such as Haemophilus influenzae Type b. The methods for obtaining such determinations for polysaccharides use size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with detection by multi-angle laser-light-scattering photometry (MALLS) and differential refractometry (RI) and/or (2) determination of polysaccharide fragments and direct measurement of average chain length by quantitative 1H NMR, from which molar masses may be derived. Variation between the molar masses obtained by the two methods ranged from 5 to 7%.

Abstract: A procedure to isolate large quantities of capsular poly saccharides (CPS) from culture supernatants as well as bacterial cells of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria using base extraction is described. The procedure is simple, rapid, reproducible and applicable to a variety of bacterial species. The method also yields novel CPS characterized by their lack of covalent attachment to extraneous peptidoglycan. Vaccines and methods of immunization against bacterial infection using the CPS obtained by the process of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide (GBMP) modified by having sialic acid residue N-acetyl groups replaced by N-acyl groups exhibits enhanced immuno response thereto. In addition, induction of antibodies which cross-react with unmodified group B meningococcal and E. coli K1 capsular polysaccharide and other tissue cells having a common epitope is minimized. Conjugation of the modified polysaccharides with a physiologically acceptable protein such as tetanus toxoid induces the production of specific protective antibodies with negligible levels of GBMP-cross reactive antibodies, to thereby afford protection against infections caused by group B meningococci and E. coli K1.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel immunogenic composition and vaccine, processes for producing them and methods for immunization against infections and disease caused by group A Streptococci. The compositions include group A streptococcal polysaccharide covalently linked to protein or liposomes to form immunogenic conjugates. The method of immunization for this invention comprises administering to an individual an immunogenic amount of group A polysaccharide. The group A polysaccharide may be administered as a vaccine either on its own, conjugated to proteins or conjugated to liposomes. Additionally, the group A polysaccharides may be associated with an adjuvant. This invention is particularly useful for providing both active and passive immunogenic protection for those populations most at risk of contracting group A Streptococcal infections and disease namely adults, pregnant women and in particular infants and children.

Abstract: The invention relates to chemically-modified group B polysaccharides of Neisseria meningitidis. The invention also provides vaccines in which the respective modified polysaccharides are conjugated to a protein carrier, and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides novel group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, novel conjugates of the group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising conjugate molecules of group B meningococcal unsaturated N-acyl derivative polysaccharide fragments covalently bound to proteins, and the use of these compositions as vaccines.

Abstract: Improved vaccine compositions comprising a long chain alkyl compound as an immunoadjuvant in combination with a bacterial polysaccharide protein conjugate. The compositions of the invention are useful in activating the immune system to confer immunity to a host against the immunogen in a prophylactic manner.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide (GBMP) modified by having sialic acid residue N-acetyl groups replaced by N-acyl groups exhibits enhanced immuno response thereto. In addition, induction of antibodies which cross-react with unmodified group B meningococcal and E. coli K1 capsular polysaccharide and other tissue cells having a common epitope is minimized. Conjugation of the modified polysaccharides with a physiologically acceptable protein such as tetanus toxoid induces the production of specific protective antibodies with negligible levels of GBMP-cross reactive antibodies, to thereby afford protection against infections caused by group B meningococci and E. coli K1.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide (GBMP) modified by having sialic acid residue N-acetyl groups replaced by N-acyl groups exhibits enhanced immuno response thereto. In addition, induction of antibodies which cross-react with unmodified group B meningococcal and E. coli K1 capsular polysaccharide and other tissue cells having a common epitope is minimized. Conjugation of the modified polysaccharides with a physiologically acceptable protein such as tetanus toxoid induces the production of specific protective antibodies with negligible levels of GBMP-cross reactive antibodies, to thereby afford protection against infections caused by group B meningococci and E. coli K1.