Abstract: Analysis of compositions that include saccharides having mannosamine residues, such as the capsular saccharide of N. meningitidis serogroup A, is facilitated by a method comprising the steps of: (i) hydrolysing polysaccharide in the sample, to give a hydrolysate; (ii) subjecting the hydrolysate to liquid chromatography; and (iii) detecting any mannosamine-6-phosphate separated in step (ii).

Abstract: The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatizing the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light-scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analyzing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatising the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.

Abstract: Analysis of compositions that include saccharides having mannosamine residues, such as the capsular saccharide of N. meningitidis serogroup A, is facilitated by a method comprising the steps of: (i) hydrolysing polysaccharide in the sample, to give a hydrolysate; (ii) subjecting the hydrolysate to liquid chromatography; and (iii) detecting any mannosamine-6-phosphate separated in step (ii).

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analyzing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: A combined vaccine for bacterial meningitis comprises Hib and MenC oligosaccharide conjugates.