Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for making and using bioactive assemblies of defined compositions, which may have multiple functionalities and/or binding specificities. In particular embodiments, the bioactive assembly is formed using dock-and-lock (DNL) methodology, which takes advantage of the specific binding interaction between dimerization and docking domains (DDD) and anchoring domains (AD) to form the assembly. In various embodiments, one or more effectors may be attached to a DDD or AD sequence. Complementary AD or DDD sequences may be attached to an adaptor module that forms the core of the bioactive assembly, allowing formation of the assembly through the specific DDD/AD binding interactions. Such assemblies may be attached to a wide variety of effector moieties for treatment, detection and/or diagnosis of a disease, pathogen infection or other medical or veterinary condition.

Abstract: The invention pertains to conjugates of the capsular polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O139, or a structurally and/or immunologically related oligo- or poly-saccharide, and a carrier. These conjugates are useful as pharmaceutical compositions and/or vaccines to induce serum antibodies which have bactericidal (vibriocidal) activity against V. cholerae, in particular V. cholerae O139, and are useful to prevent, treat and/or reduce the severity of disease caused by V. cholerae infection, such as cholera. The present invention also relates to diagnostic tests for V. cholerae infection, and/or cholera caused by V. cholerae infection, using one or more of the oligo- or poly-saccharide-carrier conjugates or antibodies described above.

Abstract: A vaccine delivered by transcutaneous immunization provides an effective treatment against infections by pathogens such as, for example, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and/or for symptoms of diarrheal disease caused thereby. For example, one, two, three, four, five or more antigens derived from ETEC and capable of inducing an antigen-specific immune response (e.g., toxins, colonization or virulence factors) and one or more optional adjuvant (e.g., whole bacterial ADP-ribosylating exotoxins, B subunits or toxoids thereof, detoxified mutants and derivatives thereof) are used to manufacture vaccines or to induce systemic and/or mucosal immunity.

Abstract: Methods for preparing complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates that include simultaneously reacting a plurality or immunogenic-distinct polysaccharides with at least one protein to make the complex multivalent immunogenic conjugates. The simultaneous reaction involves reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde or cyanate ester group on the other reactant.

Abstract: A new class of activated polyalkylene glycol acids and their active ester reagents for conjugation to biopharmaceuticals such as polypeptides, sugars, proteins and therapeutically active small molecules to produce biologically active conjugates of these pharmaceuticals and methods for producing these conjugates.

Abstract: Targeted bifunctional molecules and methods for their use are provided. The subject targeted bifunctional molecules are conjugates of a drug moiety and a targeting moiety, where these two moieties are optionally joined by a linking group. The bifunctional molecules are further characterized in that they exhibit a modulated biodistribution upon administration to a host as compared to a free drug control. The subject targeted bifunctional molecules find use in a variety of therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to fragments of Clostridium botulinum HC that can be linked with an entity (e.g., an antigen, a particle, or a radionuclide) and used to deliver the entity across a non-keratinized epithelial membrane of an animal. The fragments are useful, for example, for making vaccines, antidotes, and anti-toxins and in situations in which rapid uptake of an agent by an animal is desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Malaria antigen-carrier conjugate, which comprises a carrier protein and a plurality of Plasmodium antigen polypeptides. Each of the antigen polypeptides is a wild-type antigen protein of Plasmodium or a derivative of the wild-type antigen protein, and each of the antigen polypeptides may be the same, or different. The plurality of Plasmodium antigen polypeptides are covalently linked to the carrier protein. The present invention further provides a vaccine against malaria, which comprises the conjugate absorbed on an aluminum adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides IRM conjugates that includes an IRM moiety and a second active moiety covalently linked to the IRM moiety in which the covalent link does not depend on UV irradiation.

Abstract: A combination for use in the treatment of pancreatic cancer comprising: (i) an anti-gastrin effective immunogenic composition; and, (ii) one or more chemotherapeutic agents suitable for inhibiting cancer growth.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis, pneumococcus and DTPa/w. In particular, it provides vaccines based on conjugated capsular saccharides from multiple meningococcal and/or pneumococcal serogroups. It further provides vaccine administration schemes for the immunisation of human patients with two or more of these vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of producing conjugates of A? peptide immunogens with protein/polypeptide carrier molecules, which are useful as immunogens, wherein peptide immunogens are conjugated to protein carriers via activated functional groups on amino acid residues of the carrier or of the optionally attached linker molecule, and wherein any unconjugated reactive functional groups on amino acid residues are inactivated via capping, thus retaining the immunological functionality of the carrier molecule, but reducing the propensity for undesirable reactions that could render the conjugate less safe or effective. Furthermore, the invention also relates to such immunogenic products and immunogenic compositions containing such immunogenic products made by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new adjuvants and the uses in pharmaceutical compositions, like in vaccines. In particular, the present invention provides new compounds useful as adjuvants and/or immunomodulators for prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination in the treatment of infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, tumors, allergies as well as for the control of fertility in human or animal populations. The compounds are particularly useful not only as systemic, but preferably as mucosal adjuvants. In addition, the invention relates to its uses as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising a conjugate of a hapten with a carrier in an ordered and repetitive array, and methods of making such compositions. The conjugates and compositions of the invention may comprise a variety of haptens, including hormones, toxins and drugs, especially drugs of addiction such as nicotine. Compositions and conjugates of the invention are useful for inducing immune responses against haptens, which can use useful in a variety of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic regimens. In certain embodiments, immune responses generated using the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention are useful to prevent or treat addiction to drugs of abuse and the resultant diseases associated with drug addiction.

Abstract: A class of novel agents that are able to modify nociceptive afferent function is provided. The agents may inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from discrete populations of neurones and thereby reduce or preferably prevent the transmission of afferent pain signals from peripheral to central pain fibers. They comprise a galactose-binding lectin linked to a derivative of a clostridial neurotoxin. The derivative of the clostridial neurotoxin comprises the L-chain, or a fragment thereof, which includes the active proteolytic enzyme domain of the light (L) chain, linked to a molecule or domain with membrane translocating activity. The agents may be used in or as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain, particular chronic pain.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array. The invention also provides a process for producing an antigen or antigenic determinant in an ordered and repetitive array. The ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant is useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases, the treatment of allergies and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure cancer and to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: Forms of differentially acting glycoprotein hormones are disclosed. These compositions are of the formula ?1-(linker1)m-?-(linker2)n-?2;??(1) ?1-(linker1)m-?2-(linker2)n-?;??(2) ?-(linker1)m-?1-(linker2)n-?2;??(3) ?2??-(linker)m-?1; or??(4) ?1-(linker)m-???2??(5) wherein each of ?1 and ?2 has the amino acid sequence of the ? subunit of a vertebrate glycoprotein hormone or a variant of said amino acid sequence, as variants are defined herein. “?” designates the ? subunit of a vertebrate glycoprotein hormone or a variant thereof, “linker” refers to a covalently linked moiety that spaces the ?1 and ?2 subunits at appropriate distances from the ? subunit and from each other. “?” is a noncovalent link. Each of m and n is independently 0 or 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjuvanting material, the adjuvanting material comprising a lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety to which is covalently linked a metal chelating group. Further, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) a lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety to which is covalently linked a metal chelating group; (b) an antigen comprising a metal affinity tag; and optionally (c) metal ions, whereby the antigen is linked to the lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety via the interaction between the metal affinity tag and the metal chelating group.

Abstract: Activated polymeric bicine derivatives such as, as well as conjugates made therewith are disclosed. Methods of making and using the bicine derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjuvant product which is intended to improve the activity of a molecule when administered to a host, characterized in that it comprises at least one part of the P40 protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae or a protein having at least 80% homology with the P40 protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The invention also relates to nucleotide sequences which encode these peptides or proteins and to the use of these sequences as a medicament. More particularly, such DNA sequences can be used in compositions which are intended for immunization by the intramuscular or intradermal route.

Abstract: The invention provides immunomodulatory compounds and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a sterically hindered polymer that comprises a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having at least one terminus covalently bonded to an alkanoic acid or alkanoic acid derivative, wherein the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group of the acid or acid derivative group has an alkyl or aryl group pendent thereto. The steric effects of the alkyl or aryl group allow greater control of the hydrolytic stability of polymer derivatives. The polymer backbone may be poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions of activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vivo with specificity for particular antigenic peptides, and to methods and compositions of using activated CTLs in vivo for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions. In some preferred embodiments, the invention provides methods of employing a polypeptide of the amino acid sequence VMAGVGSPYV to specifically activating CTLs in subjects having a breast cancer overexpressing a Her-2/Neu protein, and methods of using the polypeptide to treat such subjects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of selected polypeptides from African Swine virus for the prevention and therapy of African Swine infections as well as other infections, including immune deficiencies in mammals and humans.

Abstract: Described are ortho carboxy phenol derived acetals and compositions containing ortho carboxy phenol derived acetals which are useful for delivering biologically active compounds to cells. The acetals can be used to reversibly link up to three different molecules and have rapid hydrolysis kinetics in conditions which are present in a cell as well as in vivo. Cleavage of the acetal enhances delivery of the biologically active compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue cement proteins produced by certain species of blood-feeding ectoparasites. These proteins and compositions comprising these proteins are particularly useful for the temporary or permanent bonding of animal tissues to each other or to other biomaterials. The present invention also relates to the use of tissue cement proteins in the production of vaccines that protect animals against the bite of blood-sucking ectoparasites and the transmission of viruses, bacteria and other pathogens by such ectoparasites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides of Moraxella (Branhamela) catarrhalis which may be used for prophy-laxis, diagnostic and/or therapy purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array. The invention also provides a process for producing an antigen or antigenic determinant in an ordered and repetitive array. The ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant is useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases, the treatment of allergies and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure cancer and to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: Described is a multi drug multiligand conjugate for targeted drug delivery. The MDML conjugate contains a plurality of tripartite molecules linked to a central scaffold moiety, with each tripartite molecule comprising a targeting molecule, a therapeutic agent and a scaffold binding element. The MDML conjugate allows for more efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the cells resulting in enhanced therapeutic efficiency. A model MDL conjugate is disclosed as well as method for the synthesis of the model conjugate.

Abstract: Hybrid antigens comprising at least one antigenic domain, at least one heat shock protein binding domain, and at least one improved peptide linker there between are described which are useful for the induction of an immune response to the antigenic domain when administered alone or in a complex with at least one heat shock protein. The hybrid antigens and complexes can be used to treat infectious diseases and cancers that express an antigen of the antigenic domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a first and a second polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of (a) incubating said first polypeptide in the presence of a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising an N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester group and a maleimide group linked via a polyethylene oxide spacer; (b) removing excess heterobifunctional crosslinker; and (c) incubating the reaction product of step (b) with said second polypeptide, wherein said second polypeptide comprises at least one sulfhydryl group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a conjugate obtainable by the method of the present invention. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, and the use of the conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating an allergic disease or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array, and in particular an A?1-6 peptide-VLP-composition. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle and at least one A?1-6 peptide bound thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the conjugates and the ordered and repetitive arrays, respectively. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array. The invention also provides a process for producing an antigen or antigenic determinant in an ordered and repetitive array. The ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant is useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of infectious diseases, the treatment of allergies and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure cancer and to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses, in particular antibody responses.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising an immunogenic polypeptide are disclosed. The immunogenic polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence motif Xaa-Thr-Xaa-Val-Thr-Gly-Gly-Xaa-Ala-Ala-Arg-Thr-Thr-Xaa-Gly-Xaa-Xaa-Ser-Leu-Phe-Xaa-Xaa-Gly-Xaa-Ser-Gln-Xaa-Ile-Gln-Leu-Ile (SEQ ID NO:8). Also disclosed are immunogenic compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the fusion protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: A method is provided for covalently linking carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules under neutral conditions, using a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. In an example, activated carbon-carbon double bonds were attached to free amino sites of a carrier protein, and a conjugated diene was attached to a carbohydrate hapten. Spontaneous coupling of the carbohydrate and the protein components under very mild conditions provided glycoconjugates containing up to 37 carbohydrate hapten units per carrier protein molecule. The method is also applicable to the immobilization of biomolecules on gel or solid supports. The conjugated products are useful as immunogens and as analytical and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted ubiquitination. Specifically the composition contains a ubiquitin pathway protein binding moiety which recognizes a ubiquitin pathway protein and a targeting moiety which recognizes a target protein. In addition, the present invention provides libraries of compositions, where each composition contains a ubiquitin pathway protein binding moiety and a member of a molecular library. The libraries of the present invention can be used to identify proteins involved in a predetermined function of cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a sterically hindered polymer that comprises a water-soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having at least one terminus covalently bonded to an alkanoic acid or alkanoic acid derivative, wherein the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group of the acid or acid derivative group has an alkyl or aryl group pendent thereto. The steric effects of the alkyl or aryl group allow greater control of the hydrolytic stability of polymer derivatives. The polymer backbone may be poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: The invention presents vaccine formulations comprising highly antigenic epitopes identified within the semi-conserved loop-I of domain III that are capable of eliciting parasite growth inhibitory antibodies. The cyclized or linear peptides can be applied by known adjuvants or be encapsulated by or attached onto the surface of liposomes or virosomes (IRIVs) which serve as human compatible antigen delivery systems. Both cyclized and linear versions of the peptide antigens are surprisingly effective in eliciting immune responses that are cross-reactive with parasite-expressed AMA-1.

Abstract: A new class of activated polyalkylene glycol acids and their active ester reagents for conjugation to biopharmaceuticals such as polypeptides, sugars, proteins and therapeutically active small molecules to produce biologically active conjugates of these pharmaceuticals and methods for producing these conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to novel Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B glycoconjugates. More particularly, the invention pertains to glycoconjugates formed from a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B capsular oligosaccharide derivative (MenB OS derivative) in which sialic acid residue N-acetyl groups are replaced with N-acyl groups. The invention also pertains to vaccine formulations containing the glycoconjugates, methods of making the vaccine formulations, and methods of using the vaccine formulations to treat or prevent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B or E. coli K1 disease in a mammalian subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate and a hapten-protein conjugate by reacting a protein with a hapten to produce a hapten-protein conjugate, followed by reacting the hapten-protein conjugate with a polysaccharide to provide a conjugate mixture including the hapten-protein conjugate and a hapten-protein-polysaccharide conjugate. This invention also includes the process described above with the addition of a pharmaceutically acceptable medium or delivery vehicle into the conjugate mixture. The invention further includes the process described above where the hapten is luteinizing hormone releasing hormone peptides derived from E coil, or malaria derived peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel ?-O-linked glycoconjugates such as ?-O-linked glycopeptides, as well convergent methods for synthesis thereof. The general preparative approach is exemplified by the synthesis of the mucin motif commonly found on epithelial tumor cell surfaces. The present invention further provides compositions and methods of treating cancer using the ?-O-linked glycoconjugates.

Abstract: Water-dispersible nanoparticles are prepared by applying a coating of a multiply amphipathic dispersant to the surface of a hydrophobic nanoparticle comprised of a semiconductive or metallic material. The multiply amphipathic dispersant has two or more hydrophobic regions and two or more hydrophilic regions, and is typically polymeric. Preferred polymeric dispersants are comprised of (1) a hydrophobic backbone with hydrophilic branches, (2) a hydrophilic backbone with hydrophobic branches, or (3) a backbone that may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and substituted with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic branches. Monodisperse populations of water-dispersible nanoparticles are also provided, as are conjugates of the water-dispersible nanoparticles with affinity molecules such as peptides, oligonucleotides, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention refers to conjugates of erythropoietin with poly(ethylene glycol) comprising an erythropoietin glycoprotein having an N-terminal ?-amino group and having the in vivo biological activity of causing bone marrow cells to increase production of reticulocytes and red blood cells and selected from the group consisting of human erythropoietin and analogs thereof which have the sequence of human erythropoietin modified by the addition of from 1 to 6 glycosylation sites or a rearrangement of at least one glycosylation site; said glycoprotein being covalently linked to one poly(ethylene glycol) group of the formula —CO—(CH2)x—(OCH2CH2)m—OR wherein the —CO of the poly(ethylene glycol) group forms an amide bond with said N-terminal ?-amino group; and wherein R is lower alkyl; x is 2 or 3; and m is from about 450 to about 1350.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multivalent Fvantibody construct having at least four variable domains which are linked with each over via the peptide linkers 1, 2 and 3. The invention also concerns expression plasmids which code for such an Fvantibody construct and a method of producing the Fvantibody constructs as well as their use.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the fields of molecular biology, virology, immunology and medicine. The invention provides a composition comprising an ordered and repetitive antigen or antigenic determinant array, and in particular a RANKL protein, RANKL fragment or RANKL peptide-VLP-array. More specifically, the invention provides a composition comprising a virus-like particle and at least one RANKL protein, RANKL fragment or RANKL peptide bound thereto. The invention also provides a process for producing the conjugates and the ordered and repetitive arrays, respectively. The compositions of the invention are useful in the production of vaccines for the treatment of bone diseases and as a pharmaccine to prevent or cure bone diseases and to efficiently induce immune responses, in particular antibody responses. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention are particularly useful to efficiently induce self-specific immune responses within the indicated context.

Abstract: Activated polymeric bicine derivatives such as as well as conjugates made therewith are disclosed. Methods of making and using the bicine derivatives are also disclosed.

Abstract: Outer-membrane vesicles, Class 1 outer membrane proteins of Neisseria meningitidis, fragments or oligopeptides containing epitopes of the Class I OMP can be used to immunize against meningococcal disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugates of peptide derivatives of the mammalian peptide hormones angiotensinogen, angiotensin I and angiotensin II, presented in a repetitive scaffold by coupling the peptide derivatives to a carrier, particularly a virus-like particle (VLP). The invention also provides methods of producing such conjugates, and immunotherapeutic uses of the resulting immunogen conjugates for the therapy and prophylaxis of conditions associated with the renin-activated angiotensin system.