Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel dimer composed of a first Fab monomer and a second Fab monomer, each Fab monomer comprising a VH and a VL region, wherein two of such VH or VL regions are covalently linked by a disulfide bond between an additional non-naturally occurring cysteine residue at their respective N-termini.

Abstract: An isolated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptide, wherein the CAR includes an extracellular antigen-binding domain, including an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a protein encoded by a herpes virus, or to a protein complex including the protein (herpes virus antigen), wherein the herpes virus antigen is present on the surface of a human cell that is latently infected with said herpes virus and supports the lytic phase of viral replication. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR of the invention, a genetically modified immune cell, preferably a T cell, expressing the CAR of the invention and the use of the cell in the treatment of a medical disorder associated with human herpesvirus, such as herpes virus-associated cancers, chronic active herpes virus infections or primary herpes virus infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody which binds to human PRDX4 present on the cell surface of a target cell and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. The present invention further provides said pharmaceutical composition for use in a method for the treatment of cancer in a human subject. Further is provided a method for determining whether a human subject may suffer from cancer, comprising determining in a sample obtained from said human subject whether PRDX4 is present on the cell surface of cells comprised by said sample. Additionally, an antibody which binds to human PRDX4 present on the cell surface of a target cell is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides herpesviruses, such as EBV, which lack at least one viral miRNA. Such herpesviruses lacking at least one viral miRNA are advantageously not capable of packaging their genome into the capsid, thereby producing HVLPs, which are substantially free of their herpesvirus genome or the nucleic acid molecule encoding the proteinaceous part of the HVLP and viral miRNA. Such HVLPs may be used as vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining whether or not virus-neutralizing antibodies are present in a sample obtained from a subject and a respective kit therefore. The present invention further relates to an in vitro method for screening compounds for their ability to neutralize a virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides herpesviruses, such as EBV, which lack at least one viral miRNA. Such herpesviruses lacking at least one viral miRNA are advantageously not capable of packaging their genome into the capsid, thereby producing HVLPs, which are substantially free of their herpesvirus genome or the nucleic acid molecule encoding the proteinaceous part of the HVLP and viral miRNA. Such HVLPs may be used as vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved anti-CD73 antibodies which, in comparison to prior art anti-CD73 antibodies bind to a membrane-bound form of CD73 protein having cancer-promoting role and inhibit its enzymatic activity, while essentially not inhibiting a soluble form of CD73 protein involved in cardioprotection. The present invention further relates to methods of generation of such specific anti-CD73 antibodies and uses thereof including uses as medicaments and in methods for treatment, amelioration, prophylaxis and diagnostics of cancer.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to the field of (bio-)medicine and in particular to various metabolic diseases. Specifically, the invention provides means and methods for diagnosing, monitoring and predicting the risk for developing metabolic diseases. The invention uses exosomes as biomarkers for the aforementioned purposes. Moreover, an antibody of the present invention capable of specifically recognizing tissue-specific exosomes is also provided.

Abstract: An isolated chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) polypeptide, wherein the CAR includes an extracellular antigen-binding domain, including an antibody or antibody fragment that binds to a protein encoded by a herpes virus, or to a protein complex including the protein (herpes virus antigen), wherein the herpes virus antigen is present on the surface of a human cell that is latently infected with said herpes virus and supports the lytic phase of viral replication. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the CAR of the invention, a genetically modified immune cell, preferably a T cell, expressing the CAR of the invention and the use of the cell in the treatment of a medical disorder associated with human herpesvirus, such as herpes virus-associated cancers, chronic active herpes virus infections or primary herpes virus infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides herpesviruses, such as EBV, which lack at least one viral miRNA. Such herpesviruses lacking at least one viral miRNA are advantageously not capable of packaging their genome into the capsid, thereby producing HVLPs, which are substantially free of their herpesvirus genome or the nucleic acid molecule encoding the proteinaceous part of the HVLP and viral miRNA. Such HVLPs may be used as vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved anti-CD73 antibodies which, in comparison to prior art anti-CD73 antibodies bind to a membrane-bound form of CD73 protein having cancer-promoting role and inhibit its enzymatic activity, while essentially not inhibiting a soluble form of CD73 protein involved in cardioprotection. The present invention further relates to methods of generation of such specific anti-CD73 antibodies and uses thereof including uses as medicaments and in methods for treatment, amelioration, prophylaxis and diagnostics of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising a particle, said particle comprising (i) at least one Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) structural polypeptide, (ii) at least one EBV lytic polypeptide, (iii) membrane lipids, said particle being devoid of EBV DNA, wherein (a) the B-cell transformation capacity of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation as comprised in said particle is disabled while their immunogenicity is maintained; and or (b) said particle is devoid of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for generating a particle, to a cell obtained in the method of the invention, a kit comprising the vaccine or the particle generated according in the method of the invention. Also, the invention relates to the use of the vaccine or the particle generated according to the method of the invention for generating CD8+ cells specific for an EBV antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising a particle, said particle comprising (i) at least one Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) structural polypeptide, (ii) at least one EBV lytic polypeptide, (iii) membrane lipids, said particle being devoid of EBV DNA, wherein (a) the B-cell transformation capacity of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation as comprised in said particle is disabled while their immunogenicity is maintained; and or (b) said particle is devoid of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for generating a particle, to a cell obtained in the method of the invention, a kit comprising the vaccine or the particle generated according in the method of the invention. Also, the invention relates to the use of the vaccine or the particle generated according to the method of the invention for generating CD8+ cells specific for an EBV antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody binding to a carbonic anhydrase, wherein the antibody comprises (a) the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 1 (CDR 1), 2 (CDR 2) and 3 (CDR 3) determining the CDRs of the VH region, and the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 4 (CDR 1), 5 (CDR 2) and 6 (CDR 3) determining the CDRs of the VL region; or (b) the amino acids sequences of (a), wherein at least one amino acid is conservatively substituted in any one of the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vaccine comprising a particle, said particle comprising (i) at least one Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) structural polypeptide, (ii) at least one EBV lytic polypeptide, (iii) membrane lipids, said particle being devoid of EBV DNA, wherein (a) the B-cell transformation capacity of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation as comprised in said particle is disabled while their immunogenicity is maintained; and/or (b) said particle is devoid of one or more EBV polypeptides required for B-cell transformation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for generating a particle, to a cell obtained in the method of the invention, a kit comprising the vaccine or the particle generated according to the method of the invention. Also, the invention relates to the use of the vaccine or the particle generated according to the method of the invention for generating CD8+ cells specific for an EBV antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody binding to a carbonic anhydrase, wherein the antibody comprises (a) the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 1 (CDR 1), 2 (CDR 2) and 3 (CDR 3) determining the CDRs of the VH region, and the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 4 (CDR 1), 5 (CDR 2) and 6 (CDR 3) determining the CDRs of the VL region; or (b) the amino acids sequences of (a), wherein at least one amino acid is conservatively substituted in any one of the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 6.

Abstract: According to the invention there is described a method for ex vivo immunization of humans and animals comprising the following steps of: a) isolating autologous tumor cells; b) treating the tumor cells to prevent the survival thereof following reinfusion; c) incubating the thus treated tumor cells with intact heterologous bispecific and/or trisepcific antibodies showing the following properties: ?—binding to a T cell; ?—binding to at least one antigen on a tumor cell; ?—binding, by their Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies), or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies) to Fc receptor-positive cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tumor antigens of the squamous epithelial carcinoma, nucleic acids encoding the same as well as antibodies directed against the same. The invention furthermore relates to methods for the generation of antigen presenting cells and T cells specific for such antigens. Eventually, the invention comprises diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the detection/for the treatment of a squamous epithelial carcinoma, in particular a squamous epithelial carcinoma in the otolaryngologic, head, and neck region.

Abstract: According to the invention there is described a method for ex vivo immunization of humans and animals comprising the following steps: a) isolating autologous tumor cells; b) treating the tumor cells to prevent the survival thereof following reinfusion; c) incubating the thus treated tumor cells with intact heterologous bispecific and/or trispecific antibodies showing the following properties: ?—binding to a T cell; ?—binding to at least one antigen on a tumor cell; ?—binding, by their Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies), or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies) to Fc receptor-positive cells.

Abstract: According to the invention there is described a method for ex vivo immunization of humans and animals comprising the following steps of: a) isolating autologous tumour cells; b) treating the tumour cells to prevent the survival thereof following reinfusion; c) incubating the thus treated tumour cells with intact heterologous bispecific and/or trisepcific antibodies showing the following properties: ?—binding to a T cell; ?—binding to at least one antigen on a tumour cell; ?—binding, by their Fc portion (in the case of bispecific antibodies), or by a third specificity (in the case of trispecific antibodies) to Fc receptor-positive cells.