Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies directed against the influenza A virus are described, which have the advantageous and unpredicted property of being able to bind a plurality of subtypes of the influenza A virus. One preferred embodiment is the antibody designated as Fab28, which displays a neutralizing activity against a plurality of subtypes of the influenza A virus. Anti-idiotype antibodies directed against the monoclonal antibodies of the invention, immunogenic or vaccine compositions comprising the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are also described, as well as therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications for the monoclonal antibodies of the invention. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention can also be used for testing antibody preparations to be used as vaccines.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of antibodies or fragments thereof using a prokaryotic host cell containing DNA sequences encoding for said antibodies of fragments thereof, wherein said DNA sequence is derived from a coronary plaque sample. Compositions containing said antibodies are also provided. Ligands to said antibodies and compositions containing said ligands are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel technologies for producing and screening fusion proteins on the surface of filamentous phage. In particular, a single vector can be used for generating cell and phage libraries containing a given series of protein sequences fused to either one or other of two phage coat proteins. This approach simplifies and improves the efficiency of the subsequent phage display-based selection of protein-binding molecules having therapeutic or diagnostic utility, such as antibodies, peptides, or epitope-binding regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antibody sequences that bind and neutralize Rubella Virus (RuV). The novel sequences can be used for the medical management of RuV infection, in particular for detecting the virus or for preparing pharmaceutical compositions. The RuV-specific antigens recognized by such antibody sequences can be identified using novel phage libraries that display peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antibody sequences that bind Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) and neutralize VZV infection. The novel sequences can be used for the medical management of VZV infection, in particular for detecting the virus or for preparing pharmaceutical compositions to be used in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of VZV infection.

Abstract: Novel anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies are described which are capable of specifically reacting with the idiotype of human anti-gp120 antibodies, of inhibiting the binding between the gp120 antigen and human anti-gp120 antibodies, and of evoking a neutralising anti-gp120 immune response in an animal host to which they are administered. The anti-idiotype antibodies of the invention can be identified based on the amino acid sequences of the variable portions of their light and heavy chains. In addition, a method for obtaining a panel of anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies, expression vectors and transformed host cells usable in a recombinant DNA procedure in order to generate the aforesaid anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies, as well as the therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic use of such antibodies are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel technologies for producing and screening fusion proteins on the surface of filamentous phage. In particular, a single vector can be used for generating cell and phage libraries containing a given series of protein sequences fused to either one or other of two phage coat proteins. This approach simplifies and improves the efficiency of the subsequent phage display-based selection of protein-binding molecules having therapeutic or diagnostic utility, such as antibodies, peptides, or epitope-binding regions.

Abstract: An human antibody anti-NS3 protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is described, as will as synthetic and recombinant fragments thereof able to inhibit the helicase activity of the NS3 protein, both in vitro and in vivo, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Recombinant vector essentially consisting of: a) a plasmid component able to carry out exactly and efficiently vector replication in bacteria and viral insert expression in eukaryotic cells; b) an HIV component characterised in that the V3 portion sequence of env gene has been deleted and substituted by Nrul enzyme restriction site. In addition the invention relates to a method for the genophenotypic evaluation of HIV genomic sequences.

Abstract: An human antibody anti-NS3 protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is described, as will as synthetic and recombinant fragments thereof able to inhibit the helicase activity of the NS3 protein, both in vitro and in vivo, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method to evaluate the sensitivity of an HIV variant from a biological sample to at least one drug able to inhibit the HIV protease is disclosed.