Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a variable domain deleted E2 polypeptide of HCV (e.g., E2Delta123). The composition is suitable for use, for use, or when used, in the treatment or prevention of HCV infection. The nucleic acid molecule may be DNA or RNA or a modified or synthetic form, or contained within a plasmid, a viral or non-viral vector for vaccination, a polynucleotide expression cassette, or a cell for vector propagation. Methods of administration as prime and boost vaccinations are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing extracellularly assembled higher order antigen from a native lower order antigen the method comprising the following steps: (i) contacting lower order antigen with a solution comprising a reducing agent for a time and under 5 conditions sufficient to reduce one or more native cysteines; and (ii) removing or diluting the reducing agent or contacting the reduced lower order antigen with an oxidising agent, to elicit assembly of lower order antigen from (i) into an assembled higher order antigen; wherein at least 10% of the lower order antigen is converted to higher order antigen in step (ii) and whereby the assembled higher order antigen 10 displays at least reduced binding to non-neutralizing antibodies compared to the lower order antigen and retains binding to at least one neutralizing antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising hepatitis C virus (HCV) Envelope 2 (E2) glycoprotein, wherein the HCV E2 is substantially monomer depleted HCV E2. Also provide are methods of inducing an HCV immune response.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified HIV envelope glycoprotein (Env) antigen or a lipid containing vehicle comprising same. The Env antigen comprises one of a second site suppressor mutation in residue 674 of the membrane proximal ectodomain region (MPER) of HIV gp41; a second site suppressor mutation which ablates a glycosylation site in the variable region (V1) region of gp120; or a second site suppressor mutation ablating a glycosylation site in the V1 region of gp120 and a second site suppressor mutation in residue 674 of the MPER of HIV gp41. It is preferred that the lipid containing vehicle is a HIVLP.

Abstract: A composition comprising a hepatitis C virus (HCV) Envelope 2 (E2) polypeptide including a receptor binding variant, wherein the polypeptide is modified to comprise: (i) a cysteine mutated or disrupted at 2, 3, or 4 cysteines selected from C452, C486, C569, and C597; and wherein the polypeptide forms substantially fewer multimers by intermolecular disulfide bonding relative to the HCV E2 polypeptide without cysteine modification, and substantially retains CD81 binding; and various uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising hepatitis C virus (HCV) Envelope 2 (E2) glycoprotein, wherein the HCV E2 is substantially monomer depleted HCV E2. Also provide are methods of inducing an HCV immune response.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A composition comprising a hepatitis C virus (HCV) Envelope 2 (E2) polypeptide including a receptor binding variant, wherein the polypeptide is modified to comprise: (i) a cysteine mutated or disrupted at 2, 3, or 4 cysteines selected from C452, C486, C569, and C597; and wherein the polypeptide forms substantially fewer multimers by intermolecular disulfide bonding relative to the HCV E2 polypeptide without cysteine modification, and substantially retains CD81 binding; and various uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides modified hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoproteins comprising the HCV-E2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) including the HVR1, HVR2 and igVR variable regions wherein in at least one of said variable regions at least a part of the variable region is replaced with a flexible linker sequence. The invention also provides vaccine compositions comprising the modified glycoproteins as well as methods of use thereof.