Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies, or fragments thereof, for isolating and/or identifying epitopes of an endogenous retrovirus, preferably of a melanoma associated endogenous retrovirus, and hybridoma cells producing said antibodies. The antibodies are useful especially for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Further, the present application covers diagnostic kits for the detection of cancer cells, especially of melanoma cells and methods for cancer diagnosis using said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating negative-stranded segmented RNA viruses using linear expression constructs in the presence of helper virus which comprises at least one amino acid modification within the N-terminal cyto plasmic region of the NA protein.

Abstract: A plastic profile for window, door and facade elements includes a plastic profile body, which extends in a longitudinal direction (z), and at least one outer side, which is located outside in a transverse direction (x) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z) as viewed in a cross-section (x-y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z). The outer side includes two roll-in protrusions configured such that a reinforcement element is connectable with the plastic profile body by a rolled-in connection. The reinforcement element has at least one of a hollow profile, a partially-open profile and a receptacle portion configured to accommodate a corner connector, wherein at least one of the hollow profile, the partially-open profile and the receptacle portion is disposed between the roll-in protrusions in the rolled-in state.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences and fragments which code for a human endogenous retrovirus which is infectious. “Fragments” according to the present invention relate also to specific fragments of the sequences inserted into the vector pCR4-Topo and deposited as MERV-env, MERV-gag, MERV-prt and MERV-pol as mentioned above. Additionally, methods of using such sequences, polypeptides encoded by such sequences, antibodies directs against such sequences, and methods and compositions relating to the same are all contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel influenza virus wherein both the NS and the PB1 gene segments are modified and wherein the PB1-F2 open reading frame is modified by introduction of at least one stop codon. Specifically, the influenza virus is lacking functional NS1 and PB1-F2 proteins. Additionally, a vaccine formulation comprising said modified influenza virus is provided and its use for prevention of influenza infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition with an adjuvant based on an apathogenic virus, together with an antigen. The adjuvant has a natural or through genetical engineering no, reduced or altered expression of an endogenous interferon antagonist or endogenous immune suppressor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high growth reassortant influenza A virus having at least two gene segments of seasonal or pandemic strain origin, a PB1 gene segment of A/Texas/1/77 strain origin and a PA gene segment of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) origin coding for a PA protein comprising at least one amino acid modification at any one of positions 10, 275, 682, according to SEQ ID No.1. Further provided are vaccine formulations comprising the reassortant influenza A virus of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating negative-stranded segmented RNA viruses using linear expression constructs in the presence of helper virus.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences and fragments which code for a human endogenous retrovirus which is infectious. “Fragments” according to the present invention relate also to specific fragments of the sequences inserted into the vector pCR4-Topo and deposited as MERV-env, MERV-gag, MERV-prt and MERV-pol as mentioned above. Additionally, methods of using such sequences, polypeptides encoded by such sequences, antibodies directs against such sequences, and methods and compositions relating to the same are all contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides antigenic polypeptides derived from the melanoma-associated endogenous retrovirus (MERV). These antigens are useful compounds for the detection of cancerous cells and melanoma-diagnosis as well as melanoma-prognosis. Furthermore these antigenic polypeptides of the present invention form the basis for anti-cancer vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates, to novel methods and substrates for the propagation of viruses. The invention relates to IFN-deficient substrates and methods for propagating viruses in these unconventional substrates. In particular, the invention relates to methods of propagating viruses in immature embryonated eggs, preferably six- to nine-day-old chicken eggs. The methods of the invention are particularly attractive for growing viruses suitable for use in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating negative-strand, segmented RNA viruses using linear expression constructs in the presence of helper virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A process for the purification of influenza virus or derivative thereof comprising the steps of: providing a source having influenza virus or derivative thereof; optionally subjecting the source to a prepurification step; followed by at least one chromatographic step on chromatographic materials selected from the group consisting of porous particles having mean pore sizes of at least 20 nm, perfusion particles, gel-in-a-shell particles, tentacle like particles, membrane adsorbers, and monoliths; collecting eluting influenza virus or derivatives thereof containing fractions with the proviso that sulfuric ester of cellulose or cross-linked polysaccharides are excluded.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies, or fragments thereof, for isolating and/or identifying epitopes of an endogenous retrovirus, preferably of a melanoma associated endogenous retrovirus, and hybridoma cells producing said antibodies. The antibodies are useful especially for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Further, the present application covers diagnostic kits for the detection of cancer cells, especially of melanoma cells and methods for cancer diagnosis using said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention covers a novel replication deficient influenza virus comprising a modified NS1 segment coding for a NS1 protein lacking a functional RNA binding domain and functional effector domain and a heterologous sequence inserted between the splice donor site and the splice acceptor site of the NS gene segment. Further the use of the virus as vector for expression of various proteins like chemokines, cytokines or antigenic structures is covered, methods for producing virus particles using said virus vector as well as its use for production of vaccines. Also a fusion peptide comprising part of the N-terminus of an NS1 protein and a signal sequence fused to the C-terminus of said NS1 peptide is covered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a linear expression construct free of any conventional amplification and/or selection sequences comprising an RNA polymerase I (polI) promoter and a polI termination signal, inserted between a RNA polymerase II (polII) promoter and a polyadenylation signal useful for the expression of segments of viral RNA, preferably influenza viruses. The inventive construct is useful for efficient and fast production of viral particles, especially for producing vaccine formulations for the treatment of epidemic and/or pandemic diseases.

Abstract: A plastic profile for window, door and facade elements includes a plastic profile body, which extends in a longitudinal direction (z), and at least one outer side, which is located outside in a transverse direction (x) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z) as viewed in a cross-section (x-y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (z). The outer side includes two roll-in protrusions configured such that a reinforcement element is connectable with the plastic profile body by a rolled-in connection. The reinforcement element has at least one of a hollow profile, a partially-open profile and a receptacle portion configured to accommodate a corner connector, wherein at least one of the hollow profile, the partially-open profile and the receptacle portion is disposed between the roll-in protrusions in the rolled-in state.