Abstract: Methods for preparing lyophilized pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a flat, solid surface, in particular, a surface that does not have any cavities, followed by lyophilizing the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing lyophilized pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.

Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.

Abstract: Methods for preparing lyophilized pellets of biological materials are described. The pellets have a substantially spherical shape and are prepared by freezing droplets of a liquid composition of a desired biological material on a flat, solid surface, in particular, a surface that does not have any cavities, followed by lyophilizing the frozen droplets. These methods are useful for preparing lyophilized pellets having a high concentration of a desired biological material, in particular a therapeutic protein or vaccine, and which have a faster reconstitution time than lyophilized powder cakes prepared in vials.

Abstract: The invention provides an inactivated varicella zoster virus (VZV), and compositions and vaccines comprising said inactivated VZV, wherein the infectivity of the VZV is undetectable and wherein the inactivated VZV induces an immune response against VZV when administered to a patient. In embodiments of the compositions described herein, the VZV is inactivated with gamma radiation. The invention also provides a method of preparing an inactivated VZV vaccine, the method comprising gamma irradiating a sample comprising a VZV using from about 5 kGy to about 50 kGy of gamma radiation. Also provided by the invention herein is a method of treatment of or immunization against HZ or other disease associated with the reactivation of VZV, the method comprising administering to a subject a vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inactivated VZV and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the VZV is inactivated by gamma irradiation.