Abstract: Prior art teaches an effective packaging capacity for adeno-associated virus and adeno-associated viral vectors of 4.1 kb to 4.9 kb as well as a packaging limit of 5.2 kb to 5.6 kb. However, the inventor discovered that this packaging limit as well as that effective packaging capacity does not apply to all AAV serotypes: Whereas it is true that efficient packaging of AAV serotype 2 is limited to less than 5 kb, the inventor discovered that one can efficiently package more than 6 kb of genetic information into AAV capsids of other AAV serotypes, particularly into capsids of AAV serotype 5 and—to a lesser extent—into capsids of AAV serotype 7. This discovery will be useful in the context of gene therapy where large transgenes will have to be transferred such as the ABCA4 coding sequence, the Factor VIII coding sequence, the B-deleted Factor VIII coding sequence or minidystrophin genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the fast generation of high expression stable cell lines for the production of recombinant proteins with high efficacy of stable integration while using low selective pressure for only a short period of time. The method uses transiently expressed piggybac transposase to mediate stable integration of a transgene of interest flanked by the PB transposon termini.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for culturing cells as well as a novel method for producing a recombinant protein by culturing cells at large scale (up to 1,500 L nominal volume and 750 L working volume), whereby an inflated bag provides a sterile, disposable cultivation chamber. The inflated bag is partially filled with liquid cultivation media and cells, and placed into a containment vessel. The containment vessel is positioned onto an orbitally shaken platform. The orbital shaking moves the containment vessel and thus the bag and induces thereby motion to the liquid contained therein (“shake mixing”). This motion (caused by orbital shaking) induces a dynamic force field that ensures cell suspension, bulk mixing, and oxygen transfer from the liquid surface to the respiring cells without damaging shear or foam generation.

Abstract: The use of compounds that interfere with the hedgehog signaling pathway for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, inhibiting, and/or reversing ocular diseases related with ocular neovascularization. Particularly, the above-mentioned diseases are (wet) age-related macular degeneration, (proliferative) diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion, or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds that interfere with the hedgehog signaling pathway for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, inhibiting, and/or reversing ocular diseases related with ocular neovascularization. Particularly, the above-mentioned diseases are (wet) age-related macular degeneration, (proliferative) diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion, or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Abstract: Culturing cells for the commercial production of proteins for diagnosis and therapy is a costly and time consuming process. The equipment required is expensive, and production cost are high. In order to provide commercially viable processes it is desirable to use cell lines which produce large quantities of product with each production run. However, most cells do not produce large quantities of desired product per se either because they do not produce a large quantity of product per unit of time (specific productivity) or because they do not survive long enough in the culture medium (time). Here, we identified that addition of a valproic acid compound to the culture medium increases overall (batch) yield and titer. More importantly, compared to the widely used sodium butyrate, batch yields using a valproic acid compound as a medium additive are significantly higher.

Abstract: Recombinant proteins are of great commercial interest. Yet, most current production methods in mammalian cells involve the time- and labor-consuming step of creating stable cell lines. Production methods based on transient gene expression are advantageous in terms of speed and versatility, yet, thus far, those methods have not shown the specific productivity, batch yield and volumetric yield to be an economic alternative to stable cell lines. The inventors improved on the methodology of transient transfection and achieved commercially relevant yields in terms of specific productivity (exceeding 35 pg per cell per day), batch yield (exceeding 700 mg/l) and volumetric yield.

Abstract: A method for isolating, from a mixture, a virus having a surface protein with a binding site for sialic acid is provided. The method involves contacting the mixture with mucin which has been linked to a solid support and washing the solid support to remove material from the mixture is non-specifically bound to the mucin-linked support. Thereafter, the specifically bound virus (e.g., AAV4 or AAV5) may be removed in a further washing step utilizing a concentrated slat or solution with low pH. Also described are pharmaceutical kits containing solid supports linked to mucin for use in isolating virus having a surface protein with a binding site for sialic acid, or detecting the presence of the virus in a biological sample.

Abstract: Prior art teaches an effective packaging capacity for adeno-associated virus and adeno-associated viral vectors of 4.1 kb to 4.9 kb as well as a packaging limit of 5.2 kb to 5.6 kb. However, the inventor discovered that this packaging limit as well as that effective packaging capacity does not apply to all AAV serotypes: Whereas it is true that efficient packaging of AAV serotype 2 is limited to less than 5 kb, the inventor discovered that one can efficiently package more than 6 kb of genetic information into AAV capsids of other AAV serotypes, particularly into capsids of AAV serotype 5 and—to a lesser extent—into capsids of AAV serotype 7. This discovery will be useful in the context of gene therapy where large transgenes will have to be transferred such as the ABCA4 coding sequence, the Factor VIII coding sequence, the B-deleted Factor VIII coding sequence or minidystrophin genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of compounds that interfere with the hedgehog signaling pathway for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, inhibiting, and/or reversing ocular diseases related with ocular neovascularization. Partcularly, the above-mentioned diseases are (wet) age-related macular degeneration, (proliferative) diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, retinal vein occlusion, or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Abstract: A pseudotyped rAAV is described, which contains sequences derived from AAV5. A method for producing rAAV pseudotyped with AAV5 capsid is described in which the rep proteins of the serotype or any cross-reactive serotype of the AAV ITRs are utilized. A similar method may be provided to generate a pseudotyped rAAV in which minigenes carrying AAV5 ITRs are packaged in capsids of a heterologous AAV serotype. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the pseudotyped rAAV and methods of using them for gene delivery.

Abstract: The advent of audio compression algorithms in combination with high-speed Internet access has enabled consumers to download digital audio files such as music single tracks from the Internet within seconds to minutes. Whereas legitimate service providers offer music files for download on payment, many consumers download music files illegally at no direct cost by using file sharing or similar services. This leads to a potential loss in revenues for the creators, owners, sellers, and/or distributors of digital audio content. The present invention relates to a method and system for selling and/or distributing digital audio files comprising at least one advertisement message part in addition to at least one music entertainment part.

Abstract: Decreasing the expression of genes in a mammalian subject has multiple applications ranging from cancer therapy to anti-infective therapy or treatment of autosomal dominant genetic disorders. Yet, there is still a lack of efficient technologies to achieve that goal in mammalian subjects in vivo. The present invention relates to methods for decreasing gene expression by administering to a mammalian subject a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector in vivo with said vector comprising an RNA interference (RNAi) expression cassette whose RNA expression products directly or indirectly lead to a decrease in expression of the corresponding RNAi target gene. Upon successful transduction with the recombinant adeno-associated viral vector, the RNA expression products of the RNAi expression cassette will decrease the cellular concentration of the mRNA transcripts of the RNAi target gene, thus resulting in decreased concentration of the protein encoded by the RNAi target gene.

Abstract: Cancer is a major cause of death in developed countries. Yet, there is still a high degree of unmet need in the prevention, treatment and/or cure of cancer. The present invention relates to methods for treating cancer, preventing cancer and/or inhibiting the growth of cancer (cells) by administering to a mammalian subject a gene transfer vector in vivo comprising a nucleic acid composition whose expression directly or indirectly leads to the expression and/or secretion of Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3). Upon successful transduction, expression and/or secretion of TIMP-3—either locally (in the vicinity or within the cancer cells) or systemically—will inhibit cancer growth. Also provided are pharmaceutical kits containing the gene transfer vector in a suitable pharmaceutical suspension for administration.

Abstract: A method for isolating, from a mixture, a virus having a surface protein with a binding site for sialic acid is provided. The method involves contacting the mixture with mucin which has been linked to a solid support and washing the solid support to remove material from the mixture which is non-specifically bound to the mucin-linked support. Thereafter, the specifically bound virus (e.g., AAV4 or AAV5) may be removed in a further washing step utilizing a concentrated salt or solution with low pH. Also described are pharmaceutical kits containing solid supports linked to mucin for use in isolating virus having a surface protein with a binding site for sialic acid, or detecting the presence of the virus in a biological sample.

Abstract: A pseudotyped rAAV is described, which contains sequences derived from AAV5. A method for producing rAAV pseudotyped with AAV5 capsid is described in which the rep proteins of the serotype or any cross-reactive serotype of the AAV ITRS are utilized. A similar method may be provided to generate a pseudotyped rAAV in which minigenes carrying AAV5 ITRs are packaged in capsids of a heterologous AAV serotype. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the pseudotyped rAAV and methods of using them for gene delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel retroviral gene transfer vectors, preferably expression vectors, which, because of a reduced content of viral genes, are distinguished by a higher safety standard and an expression of non-viral nucleotide sequences in higher amounts.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for obtaining therapeutic levels of protein in the bloodstream by administering rAAV containing a transgene encoding the secretable or extracellular membrane-bound protein via inhalation, is provided. Suitably, the transgene product is under the control of a lung-specific promoter. Also provided are pharmaceutical kits containing rAAV encoding the secretable protein in a suspension suitable for delivery via intranasal or oral inhalation.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel retroviral gene transfer vectors, preferably expression vectors, which, because of a reduced content of viral genes, are distinguished by a higher safety standard and an expression of non-viral nucleotide sequences in higher amounts.