Abstract: The invention provides modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: Novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines are provided having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The constructs are useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to a patient. Optionally, the immunization protocol may include a booster vaccination that may be a live vector vaccine such as a recombinant pox virus or modified vaccinia Arbora vector having a transcription cassette expressing the same vaccine insert as the primary immunizing vector.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV clade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular clade or clades).

Abstract: The present invention provides viral vectors, such as recombinant MVA vectors, that are capable of expressing one or more polypeptides, such as, e.g., HIV proteins or GM-CSF, in the cells of a human patient at relatively high levels and can also be produced in significant quantities in cultured cells. Also provided are methods for producing the viral vectors and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The disclosure provides vectors encoding one or more HIV antigens and GM-CSF. Also provided are methods of inducing an immune response in a subject, methods of treating a subject having HIV, and methods of manufacturing a medicament for inducing an immune response that require the use of these vectors and vaccine inserts.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immunizing a vertebrate, comprising introducing into the vertebrate a DNA transcription unit which comprises DNA encoding a desired antigen or antigens. The uptake of the DNA transcription unit by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the desired antigen or antigens, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses or both humoral and cell-mediated responses. The elicited humoral and cell-mediated immune response can provide protection against infection by pathogenic agents, provide an anti-tumor response, or provide contraception. The host can be any vertebrate, avian or mammal, including humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The present invention provides novel plasmids having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The present invention, however, is particularly useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types, thereby reducing the possibility of the targeted virus escaping the immune response. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to the patient for expression of the vaccine insert therein.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: The invention provides modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immunizing a vertebrate, comprising introducing into the vertebrate a DNA transcription unit which comprises DNA encoding a desired antigen or antigens. The uptake of the DNA transcription unit by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the desired antigen or antigens, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses or both humoral and cell-mediated responses. The elicited humoral and cell-mediated immune response can provide protection against infection by pathogenic agents, provide an anti-tumor response, or provide contraception. The host can be any vertebrate, avian or mammal, including humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immunizing a vertebrate, comprising introducing into the vertebrate a DNA transcription unit which comprises DNA encoding a desired antigen or antigens. The uptake of the DNA transcription unit by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the desired antigen or antigens, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses or both humoral and cell-mediated responses. The elicited humoral and cell-mediated immune response can provide protection against infection by pathogenic agents, provide an anti-tumor response, or provide contraception. The host can be any vertebrate, avian or mammal, including humans.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The present invention provides novel plasmids having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The present invention, however, is particularly useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types, thereby reducing the possibility of the targeted virus escaping the immune response. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to the patient for expression of the vaccine insert therein.

Abstract: We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV lade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular dade or clades).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The present invention provides novel plasmids having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The present invention, however, is particularly useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types, thereby reducing the possibility of the targeted virus escaping the immune response. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to the patient for expression of the vaccine insert therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a vertebrate by introducing into the vertebrate a DNA vaccine which consists essentially of DNA encoding an antigen or antigens, e.g., capsid proteins or polypeptides, of rotavirus. The uptake of the DNA vaccine by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the capsid protein, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses, or both, which can provide protection against infection and/or prevent clinically significant rotavirus-caused disease. In addition, the invention demonstrates that an internal viral antigen provides protective immunity in a host. The host can be any vertebrate, including birds, piglets, and humans.