Abstract: The present invention provides molecules, including IgGs, non-IgG immunoglobulins, proteins and non-protein agents, that have increased in vivo half-lives due to the presence of an IgG constant domain, or a portion thereof that binds the FcRn, having one or more amino acid modifications that increase the affinity of the constant domain or fragment for FcRn. Such proteins and molecules with increased half-lives have the advantage that smaller amounts and or less frequent dosing is required in the therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use of such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to diabody molecules and uses thereof in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders, including immunological disorders, infectious disease, intoxication and cancers. The diabody molecules of the invention comprise two polypeptide chains that associate to form at least two epitope binding sites, which may recognize the same or different epitopes on the same or differing antigens. Additionally, the antigens may be from the same or different molecules. The individual polypeptide chains of the diabody molecule may be covalently bound through non-peptide bond covalent bonds, such as, but not limited to, disulfide bonding of cysteine residues located within each polypeptide chain. In particular embodiments, the diabody molecules of the present invention further comprise an Fc region, which allows antibody-like functionality to engineered into the molecule.

Abstract: Ultra high affinity antibodies with binding affinities in the range of 1010 M?1, and even 1011 M?1 are disclosed. Such antibodies include antibodies having novel high affinity complementarity determining regions (CDRs), especially those with framework and constant regions derived from either humans or mice. Methods of preparing and screening such antibodies, as well as methods of using them to prevent and/or treat disease, especially virus-induced diseases, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules, including IgGs, non-IgG immunoglobulins, proteins and non-protein agents, that have increased in vivo half-lives due to the presence of an IgG constant domain, or a portion thereof that binds the FcRn, having one or more amino acid modifications that increase the affinity of the constant domain or fragment for FcRn. Such proteins and molecules with increased half-lives have the advantage that smaller amounts and or less frequent dosing is required in the therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use of such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to molecules, preferably soluble (i.e., not membrane bound) polypeptides, most preferably soluble fusion polypeptides comprising the extracellular soluble regions of Fc?RIIB, derivatives and analogs thereof, and nucleic acids encoding same. Molecules of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment, management, or prevention of, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of, an autoimmune disease, especially for ameliorating serum platelet deficiency associated with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of standard, current or experimental therapies for an autoimmune disease by administering a molecule of the invention.

Abstract: High potency antibodies, including immunologically active fragments thereof, having high kinetic association rate constants and optional high affinities are disclosed, along with methods for producing such antibodies. The high potency antibodies disclosed herein are of either the neutralizing or non-neutralizing type and have specificity for antigens displayed by microorganisms, especially viruses, as well as antigenic sites present on cancer cells and on various types of toxins, and the products of toxins. Processes for producing high potency neutralizing antibodies and increasing the potency of already existing neutralizing antibodies are also described. Methods of using said antibodies in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases, especially diseases induced or caused by viruses, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecules, including IgGs, non-IgG immunoglobulins, proteins and non-protein agents, that have increased in vivo half-lives due to the presence of an IgG constant domain, or a portion thereof that binds the FcRn, having one or more amino acid modifications that increase the affinity of the constant domain or fragment for FcRn. Such proteins and molecules with increased half-lives have the advantage that smaller amounts and or less frequent dosing is required in the therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use of such molecules.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses novel antibodies and fragments thereof which immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens and compositions comprising said antibodies and antibody fragments. The present invention encompasses methods preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a prophylactically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject. The present invention also encompasses methods for treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a RSV infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV. antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses novel antibodies and fragments thereof which immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens and compositions comprising said antibodies and antibody fragments. The present invention encompasses methods preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a prophylactically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject. The present invention also encompasses methods for treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a RSV infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject.

Abstract: CD16A binding proteins useful for the reduction of a deleterious immune response asre described. In one aspect, humanized anti-cd16A antibodies, optionally lacking effector function, are used for the treatment of immune disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimme hemolytic anemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to humanized Fc?RIIB antibodies, fragments, and variants thereof that bind human Fc?RIIB with a greater affinity than said antibody binds Fc?RIIA. The invention encompasses the use of the humanized antibodies of the invention for the treatment of any disease related to loss of balance of Fc receptor mediated signaling, such as cancer (preferably a B-cell malignancy, particularly, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), autoimmune disease, inflammatory disease or IgE-mediated allergic disorder. The present invention also encompasses the use of a humanized Fc?RIIB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, in combination with other cancer therapies. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising humanized antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses novel antibodies and fragments thereof which immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens and compositions comprising said antibodies and antibody fragments. The present invention encompasses methods preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a prophylactically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject. The present invention also encompasses methods for treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a RSV infection in a human, comprising administering to said human a therapeutically effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more RSV antigens, wherein a certain serum titer of said antibodies or antibody fragments is achieved in said human subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved compositions for the prevention and treatment of smallpox, and in particular to the use of compositions containing an antibody that binds to an epitope found on the MV form of the smallpox virus and an antibody that binds to an epitope found on the EV form of the smallpox virus. The invention relates to such compositions, especially to non-blood derived antibody compositions, such as chimeric or humanized antibodies, and to methods for their use in imparting passive immunity against smallpox infection to individuals at risk of smallpox virus infection or who exhibit smallpox.

Abstract: The present invention relates to humanized Fc?RIIB antibodies, fragments, and variants thereof that bind human Fc?RIIB with a greater affinity than said antibody binds Fc?RIIA. The invention encompasses the use of the humanized antibodies of the invention for the treatment of any disease related to loss of balance of Fc receptor mediated signaling, such as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing the efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the humanized antibodies of the invention. The invention encompasses methods for treating an autoimmune disease and methods for elimination of cancer cells that express Fc?RIIB.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to diabody molecules and uses thereof in the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders, including immunological disorders, infectious disease, intoxication and cancers. The diabody molecules of the invention comprise two polypeptide chains that associate to form at least two epitope binding sites, which may recognize the same or different epitopes on the same or differing antigens. Additionally, the antigens may be from the same or different molecules. The individual polypeptide chains of the diabody molecule may be covalently bound through non-peptide bond covalent bonds, such as, but not limited to, disulfide bonding of cysteine residues located within each polypeptide chain. In particular embodiments, the diabody molecules of the present invention further comprise an Fc region, which allows antibody-like functionality to engineered into the molecule.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a N-terminal choline binding protein A truncate in which the amino acid sequence is set forth in any of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3-7, or 9-11, including fragments, mutants, variants, analogs, or derivatives, thereof. Also, this invention provides a isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a N-terminal choline binding protein A truncate, wherein the amino acid is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 24, wherein the polypeptide retains its native tertiary structure and methods of preparation. This invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a N-terminal choline binding protein A truncate, wherein the polypeptide has lectin activity and does not bind to choline. This invention provides an isolated immunogenic polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of a N-terminal choline binding protein A truncate.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial immunogenic agents for administration to humans and non-human animals to stimulate an immune response. It particularly relates to the vaccination of mammalian species with pneumococcal derived polypeptides that include an alpha helix but exclude a choline binding region as a mechanism for stimulating production of antibodies that protect the vaccine recipient against infection by pathogenic bacterial species. In another aspect the invention provides antibodies against such proteins and protein complexes that may be used as diagnostics and/or as protective/treatment agents for pathogenic bacterial species.

Abstract: CD16A binding proteins useful for the reduction of a deleterious immune response are described. In one aspect, humanized anti-CD16A antibodies, optionally lacking effector function, are used for treatment of immune disorders such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.