Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of neisserial vaccine compositions (particularly gonococcal vaccine compositions) and the use of such compositions in medicine. More particularly, the present invention relates to genetically modified gonococci of strain FA1090 and outer membrane vesicles obtained therefrom. The invention also provides a process for preparing the genetically modified gonococci of the invention as well as immunogenic compositions and vaccines comprising the outer membrane vesicles of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards conjugates comprising fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Type III Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Suitable fragments may be produced synthetically or by depolymerisation of native polysaccharide.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immunogenic response against a bacterial polysaccharide or oligosaccharide, and constructs and compositions for use in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards conjugates comprising fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Type III Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Suitable fragments may be produced synthetically or by depolymerisation of native polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards conjugates comprising fragments of the capsular polysaccharide of Type III Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Suitable fragments may be produced synthetically or by depolymerisation of native polysaccharide.

Abstract: A method of immunising a human female subject to decrease the risk of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in an infant born to the subject, by providing a priming dose of a GBS vaccine and, more than thirty days after the priming dose, providing a boosting dose of a GBS vaccine.

Abstract: Chimeric capsular polysaccharides, conjugates comprising such chimeric capsular polysaccharides, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further aspects include methods for immunising a subject against infection by administration of such polysaccharides, conjugates, or compositions.

Abstract: Methods for raising an immune response in a mammal, by administration of an immunogenic composition comprising capsular saccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) serotypes conjugated to carrier proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate comprising an antigen and a carrier molecule, wherein the carrier molecule comprises a BP-2a antigen and a spb1 antigen. BP-2a and spb1 are Streptococcus agalactiae antigens. The conjugate may be used in a method for raising an immune response in a mammal, the method comprising administering the conjugate to the mammal. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, particularly vaccines, comprising the conjugate.

Abstract: The invention relates to bacterial mutants, particularly from Streptococcus agalactiae, that secrete capsular polysaccharide and methods of purifying the secreted bacterial capsular polysaccharides from culture medium. The extracted polysaccharides are useful for producing vaccines comprising the polysaccharides alone or conjugated to proteins.

Abstract: Methods for raising an immune response in a mammal, by administration of an immunogenic composition comprising capsular saccharides from Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) serotypes conjugated to carrier proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising one or more GBS conjugates and one or more antigens selected from: a) cellular or acellular pertussis antigen, b) a tetanus toxoid, c) a diphtheria toxoid and d) an inactivated polio virus antigen, wherein each GBS conjugate is a group B streptococcus capsular saccharide conjugated to a carrier protein. The invention also provides a method for raising an immune response in a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a composition of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: a) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype Ia conjugated to a carrier protein; b) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype Ib conjugated to a carrier protein; c) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype III conjugated to a carrier protein; d) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype II conjugated to a carrier protein; and e) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype V conjugated to a carrier protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) from a Gram-negative bacterium, comprising at least one heterologous protein that is free in the lumen of the OMV, wherein the OMV is capable of eliciting an immune response to the heterologous protein when administered to a mammal. The invention also provides methods for preparing the OMVs of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the OMVs of the invention, especially immunogenic compositions and vaccines, and methods of generating an antibody immune response in a mammal using OMVs.

Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate comprising an antigen and a carrier molecule, wherein the carrier molecule comprises a BP-2a antigen and a spb1 antigen. BP-2a and spb1 are Streptococcus agalactiae antigens. The conjugate may be used in a method for raising an immune response in a mammal, the method comprising administering the conjugate to the mammal. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, particularly vaccines, comprising the conjugate.

Abstract: The invention relates to bacterial mutants, particularly from Streptococcus agalactiae, that secrete capsular polysaccharide and methods of purifying the secreted bacterial capsular polysaccharides from culture medium. The extracted polysaccharides are useful for producing vaccines comprising the polysaccharides alone or conjugated to proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming pili in vitro and proteins suitable for use in these methods. The invention also provides pili produced by these methods and compositions comprising these pili for the treatment and prevention of bacterial disease, in particular of conditions caused by Streptococcus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) from a Gram-negative bacterium, comprising at least one heterologous protein that is free in the lumen of the OMV, wherein the OMV is capable of eliciting an immune response to the heterologous protein when administered to a mammal. The invention also provides methods for preparing the OMVs of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the OMVs of the invention, especially immunogenic compositions and vaccines, and methods of generating an antibody immune response in a mammal using OMVs.

Abstract: The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising: a) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype Ia conjugated to a carrier protein; b) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype Ib conjugated to a carrier protein; c) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype III conjugated to a carrier protein; d) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype II conjugated to a carrier protein; and e) a conjugate that is a capsular saccharide from GBS serotype V conjugated to a carrier protein.