Abstract: The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises: (i) a mitogenic domain which binds a mitogenic tetraspanin, and (ii) a transmembrane domain; wherein the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells or Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a population of genetically modified cells which comprise a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR) comprising: providing a starting population of cells; depleting said starting population of cells which express a target antigen; and introducing into a cell in the depleted starting population a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a CAR or transgenic TCR against the target antigen. The present invention also provides genetically modified cells, pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment and/or prevention of disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises: (i) a mitogenic domain which binds a mitogenic tetraspanin, and (ii) a transmembrane domain; wherein the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells or Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit of vectors comprising a first and second viral vector, wherein the first viral vector comprises a transgene of interest (TOI), and presence of the second viral vector in a host cell is required for integration of the first viral vector TOI into the host cell genome.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a population of genetically modified cells which comprise a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) or a transgenic T-cell receptor (TCR) comprising: providing a starting population of cells; depleting said starting population of cells which express a target antigen; and introducing into a cell in the depleted starting population a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a CAR or transgenic TCR against the target antigen. The present invention also provides genetically modified cells, pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for use in the treatment and/or prevention of disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroviral or lentiviral vector having a viral envelope which comprises a mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein which comprises: (i) a mitogenic domain which binds a mitogenic tetraspanin, and (ii) a transmembrane domain; wherein the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein is not part of a viral envelope glycoprotein. When cells such as T-cells or Natural Killer cells are transduced by such a viral vector, they are activated by the mitogenic T-cell activating transmembrane protein.