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: 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 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 a mutant C&bgr; protein comprising the amino acid sequence A-X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X 8 X9 X10 X11 X12-B, wherein A comprises amino acids 1-164 of the sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), B represents a sequence starting from amino acid 177 and terminating at an amino acid between residue 1094 and 1127, inclusive, of the sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), and X1-X12 are each selected independently from the group consisting of Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Met, Phe, Trp, a bond, and the wild type amino acid found at the corresponding position of the sequence shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), wherein said amino acid positions are numbered from the first amino acid of the native amino acid sequence encoding said protein, with the proviso that at least one of X1 through X12, inclusive, is other than the wild type amino acid, and wherein the LPXTG motif may be missing from the mutant C&bgr; protein.

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 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 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: A-X202X203X204X205X206X207X208X209X210X211X212X213-B, wherein A represents amino acid residues 38-201 of SEQ ID NO: 2, B represents a sequence starting from amino acid 214 of SEQ ID NO: 2 and terminating at an amino acid between residues 1131 and 1164, inclusive, of SEQ ID NO: 2, and X202 through X213 are each selected independently from Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro, Met, Phe, Trp, a bond, or a wild-type amino acid as found at a corresponding position of residues 202-213 of SEQ ID NO: 2, with the proviso that at least one of X202 through X213, inclusive, is other than the wild type amino acid found at the corresponding position of SEQ ID NO: 2. The LPXTG motif, as found in the native protein at amino acid residues corresponding to residues 1132-1136 of SEQ ID NO: 2, may be deleted in the sequence of the mutant C&bgr; protein.

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 present invention relates, in general, to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein P2 from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib-P2) and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein P2 from Haemophilus influenzae type b or fusion protein thereof in E. coli wherein the Hib-P2 protein or fusion protein comprises more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of Hib-P2 protein and fusion protein thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.

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 present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins yard fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.

Abstract: An immunogenic conjugate comprising a modified group C meningococcal polysaccharide (GCMP) coupled to a carrier molecule. The GCMP is modified by O-deacetylation to a varying extent. This modified GCMP conjugate stimulates a strong immunogenic response. The antiserum, produced by immunization with this conjugate, is cross-reactive with the native polysaccharide. In addition, these antisera elicit a class of antibodies that have patent bactericidal activity.

Abstract: Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide is coupled through a spacer to a serotype outer membrane protein from Neisseria meningitidis. This conjugate has enhanced antigenicity and immunogenicity relative to the unconjugated polysaccharide.