Abstract: The invention provides novel adjuvants and pharmaceutical composition comprising of an adjuvant alone. The invention also provides novel vaccine compositions comprising of an antigen and a novel adjuvant. The novel adjuvant as per present invention is farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist. The invention also relates to an adjuvant for variety of antigens. The adjuvant improves antibody production specific to incorporated antigen. The adjuvant also induces cell mediated immune response.

Abstract: While oil-in-water emulsions are excellent adjuvants for influenza vaccines, their efficacy can be improved by additionally including other immunostimulating agent(s) to improve cytokine responses, such as ?-interferon response. Thus, a vaccine comprises (i) an influenza virus antigen; (ii) an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant; and (iii) a cytokine-inducing agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences that encode novel consensus amino acid sequences of HA hemagglutinin, as well as genetic constructs/vectors and vaccines expressing the sequences. Also provided herein are methods for generating an immune response against one or more Influenza A serotypes using the vaccines that are provided.

Abstract: Improved (safer and more effective) methods of therapy using TNF-R agonists, e.g., CD40 agonists are provided. These methods provide for the addition of an amount of a type 1 interferon and/or a TLR agonist that is effective to prevent or reduce the toxicity (liver toxicity) that may otherwise result in some patients of the TNF-R agonist is used as a monotherapy (without the type 1 interferon and/r TLR agonist).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination of a priming composition and a boosting composition to prime and boost an immune response in a subject whereby the immune response resulting from administration of the priming composition to the subject is capable of being boosted. The priming composition comprises a DNA plasmid that comprises a nucleic acid molecule encoding an influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) or an epitope-bearing domain thereof. The boosting composition comprises an influenza vaccine. The present invention also relates to a method to use such a combination to vaccinate a subject and to enhance an immune response to an influenza vaccine administered alone. Such a combination can elicit an immune response not only against at least one influenza virus strain from which the priming composition or boosting composition is derived but also to at least one heterologous influenza virus strain.

Abstract: Novel compositions useful as influenza immunogens are provided. The compositions enable a host response to immunogen sites normally not recognized by a host.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a CCR4 antagonist as an adjuvant, in particular in an immunogenic composition comprising an antigen which elicits an immune response against a pathogen or tumour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an influenza immunogen that includes one or more DNA constructs encoding at least two divergent influenza HAs, wherein each of such one or more DNA constructs encodes one or more of the at least two divergent influenza HAs. Such an immunogen, when administered to a subject, induces an immune response to a plurality of strains of influenza virus, wherein at least one strain of the plurality of strains does not encode any of the divergent influenza HAs encoded by the immunogen. The divergent influenza HAs can be swine influenza HAs or equine influenza HAs, such as influenza H1 HAs or influenza H3 HAs. The invention also relates to a method to use such an immunogen to induce such an immune response as well as to DNA constructs comprising such divergent influenza HAs. Such an immunogen can provide a heterologous as well as a homologous immune response. Such an immunogen can be used to induce an immune response against evolving influenza virus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward adjuvants that effect an innate and/or a specific immune response. The adjuvants contain at least one lipoprotein, such as Lip, Lip fragments or Lip variants, where the lipoprotein comprises at least one pentameric unit and at least one lipid moiety. Adjuvants wherein the lipoprotein make up at least 10% of the adjuvant by weight/volume are provided.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves three procedures: (i) preparation of a preliminary emulsion; (ii) microfluidization of the preliminary emulsion to reduce its droplet size; and (iii) filtration of the microfluidized emulsion through a hydrophilic membrane.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves three procedures: (i) preparation of a preliminary emulsion; (ii) microfluidization of the preliminary emulsion to reduce its droplet size; and (iii) filtration of the microfluidized emulsion through a hydrophilic membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition useful to prepare influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, using vectors which include tandem transcription cassettes containing PolI and/or PolII promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment or prevention of an influenza virus infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a gamma-irradiated influenza virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell-based method for producing influenza virus vaccines by enriching the population of surface-bound ?2,6-sialic acid receptors on a cell surface, such as on a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell surface. The host cell therefore presents numerous binding sites to which an influenza virus can bind via its hemagglutinin spike protein and infect the host cell. In contrast to wild-type CHO cells, the surface of the mutated CHO cells of the present invention contains an enriched population of ?2,6-sialic acid receptors which makes the inventive CHO cells highly susceptible to viral infection, and therefore safe, effective, and highly efficient cells for rapidly producing influenza vaccines.

Abstract: This invention provides a dry powder composition for poultry vaccination via inhalation comprising an effective amount of a poultry vaccine agent, and a supporting amount of carriers for said poultry vaccine agent, said carriers comprising a combination of a reducing or non-reducing sugar and a biocompatible polymer, said dry powder composition being in the form of particles having an average particle size from 2 to 30 ?m and a particle size polydispersity from 1.1 to 4.0. This invention also relates to a method for producing said dry powder compositions and a system for vaccination of poultry by inhalation.

Abstract: Means and methods for producing mammalian viruses, the method comprising infecting a culture of immortalized human cells with a virus, incubating the culture infected with virus to propagate the virus under conditions that permit growth of the virus, and to form a virus-containing medium, and removing the virus-containing medium. The viruses can be harvested and be used for the production of vaccines. Advantages include that human cells of the present invention can be cultured under defined serum-free conditions and the cells show improved capability for propagating virus. Methods are provided for producing, in cultured human cells, influenza virus and vaccines derived thereof. This method eliminates the necessity of using whole chicken embryos for the production of Influenza vaccines. The method also provides for the continuous or batch-wise removal of culture media. As such, the present invention allows the large-scale continuous production of viruses to a high titer.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods to facilitate the transcutaneous delivery of therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, agonists of tight junctions are used in compositions to facilitate the uptake of therapeutic agents from the skin. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine composition, which advantageously provides immunity from infection after a single administration. The composition comprises an inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and an adjuvant mixture, which, in combination, provide immunity from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection after a single administration, and elicit an immune response specific to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and including cell-mediated immunity and local (secretory IgA) immunity. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant mixture comprises an acrylic acid polymer, most preferably CARBOPOL®, and a mixture of a metabolizable oil such as one or more unsaturated terpene hydrocarbons, preferably squalene or squalane, and a polyoxyethylene-polypropylene block copolymer such as PLURONIC®. The vaccine composition may optionally include a preservative, preferably thimerosal and/or EDTA.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of influenza vaccine production. Influenza vaccines have been produced in embryonated hens' eggs for over 50 years, but recently there have been considerable efforts to develop cell culture systems for vaccine production. The invention provides a nucleic acid comprising an influenza gene segment and a bacteriophage polymerase promotor or a complementary strand of said nucleic acid, and a cell comprising such a nucleic acid capable of producing desired influenza virus. Furthermore, the invention provides a composition comprising a cell or material derived from a cell according to the invention and a virus or material derived from a viral particle according to the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.

Abstract: Antigen and adjuvant components of an adjuvanted influenza vaccine are not mixed during manufacture, but are provided as separate components for extemporaneous mixing at the time of use, for example as a kit comprising (i) an antigen component, comprising an influenza virus antigen; and (ii) an adjuvant component, comprising an aluminium salt.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, immunogenic compositions that comprise (a) a first antigen, (b) at least first and second adjuvants, wherein the first adjuvant comprises microparticles and wherein the second adjuvant comprises an imidazoquinoline compound, and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, which compositions elicits an immune response when administered to a vertebrate subject. The invention also provides methods of producing immunogenic compositions and methods for using immunogenic compositions (e.g., for treatment), among other benefits.

Abstract: The instant invention comprises a process of preparing a composition comprising directed sequence polymer (DSP) mixtures that act as epitopes and useful as vaccines, such DSP synthesized according to a set of rules regarding the identity and the frequency of occurrence of amino acids that substitute a base or native amino acid of a known epitope. The resulting composition is a mixture of related peptides for therapeutic use as a vaccine, preferably for infectious agents that are immune evasive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant Mononegavirales virus (MV) vector comprising a foreign gene that is flanked by non-coding regions of a MV virus gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to influenza vaccine formulations and vaccination regimes for immunizing against influenza disease. In particular the invention relates to vaccine formulations comprising an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant and optionally 3D-MPL, their use in medicine, in particular their use in augmenting immune responses to influenza antigens, and to methods of preparation, wherein the oil in water emulsion comprises a sterol, a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. The present invention also provides for new prime-boost vaccination regimes for immunizing humans against influenza disease, and in particular for ensuring and ameliorating the immune response to the booster administration, in which a first influenza virus vaccine is administered in the presence of an adjuvant.

Abstract: Compositions comprise a flagellin component that is at least a portion of a flagellin, wherein the flagellin component includes at least one cysteine residue and whereby the flagellin component activates a Toll-like Receptor 5. Compositions can further include an antigen, such as an influenza antigen. The compositions are used to stimulate an immune response and a protective immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substance mixture on the basis of a mixture of essential oils, wherein the oil mixture contains juniper oil and turpentine oil, in particular turpentine oil of the duster pine type or substantially comprises them, and wherein the substance mixture preferably furthermore contains a liquid and/or dissolved active ingredient or a mixture of a plurality thereof and/or an active ingredient in powder form or a mixture of a plurality thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting nucleic acids, wherein a sample to be analyzed for the presence of nucleic acids is separated by capillary electrophoresis. The conditions of sample injection and separation allow for an extremely high sensitivity of the method, which can be applied, e.g. for quality control purposes in the determination or the presence, quantity and/or size of genomic DNA contaminants in samples comprising proteins for therapy or vaccination.

Abstract: Vaccine protection against acute or chronic viral infection is facilitated by using as an adjuvant or immuno-stimulant, a dsRNA together with an anti-influenza vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions featuring cationic liposome nucleic acid molecules complexed with pathogen derived antigen and methods of using such compositions for the treatment or prevention of an infectious disease. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description, and from the claims.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition useful to prepare high titer influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, which includes internal genes from an influenza virus vaccine strain or isolate, e.g., one that is safe in humans, for instance, one that does not result in significant disease, and genes from vaccine seed virus isolates which include a HA gene segment with a HA2 sequence encoding a HA2 that confers enhanced growth in cells in culture, such as Vero cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating an infection or disease or lesion, in particular an HPV infection. Furthermore, it relates to a vaccine for treating a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection or an associated disease or lesion in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new class of peptides related to rapid replication and high human mortality, and their use in diagnosing, preventing and treating disease including vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viral diseases and methods of identifying the new class of peptides and related structures.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions that include a selected antigen, a TLR4 ligand and a TLR7/TLR8 ligand, wherein the antigen and TLR ligands are encapsulated in nanoparticles. Co-administration of both a TLR4 ligand and a TLR7/TLR8 ligand results in the synergistic induction of humor and cellular immunity as evidenced by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, an increase in the number of CD8+ T effector and T memory cells, an increase in titer of antigen-specific antibodies, an increase in antibody affinity, an increase in the proliferation of naïve B cells and/or a significant enhancement in the persistence of antibody and T cell responses. The compositions and methods provided herein can be used to stimulate an immune response such as an immune response to a pathogen or a tumor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated influenza virus strains suitable for increased vaccine production for mammals. The influenza virus strains contain at least one modified influenza protein that results in increased production of the influenza virus from a mammalian host cell, such as a vero cell. The present invention also relates to the vaccines produced from the influenza virus strains. The present invention further relates to isolated modified influenza proteins and isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode for the modified influenza proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions for preventing infection with influenza viruses wherein the immunogenic compositions comprises an immunogen such as a hemagglutinin of an influenza virus, and an immunopotentiator such as an Fc fragment of human IgG and optionally a stabilization sequence. The immunogen is linked to the stabilization sequence which in turn is linked to the immunopotentiator.

Abstract: Iscom particles can be used as an adjuvant for preparing of an antigenic composition which comprises live micro-organisms and/or killed micro-organisms and/or antigenic molecules. A composition may comprise at least one iscom particle and one or more live micro-organisms and/or killed micro-organisms and/or antigenic molecules. A kit can comprise at least one compartment containing at least one living organism and at least one compartment containing at least one iscom particle.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses influenza vaccines, in particular avian influenza vaccines. The vaccine may be a recombinant poxvirus vaccine or an inactivated vaccine. The invention also encompasses recombinant poxvirus vectors encoding and expressing avian influenza antigens, epitopes or immunogens which can be used to protect animals, in particular felids, against avian influenza.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the intersection of the fields of immunology and protein engineering, and particularly to antigens and vaccines useful in prevention of infection by influenza virus. Provided are recombinant protein antigens, compositions, and methods for the production and use of such antigens and subunit vaccine compositions. In some embodiments, influenza antigens include hemagglutinin polypeptides neuraminidase polypeptides, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an avian influenza vaccine of plant origin, prepared by transforming a plant with a surface protein of avian influenza virus, hemagglutinin (HA) or neuraminidase (NA), and a method for preparing the same. Further, the present invention relates to an oral vaccine for preventing avian influenza virus, of which mass-production conditions are established, and thus the produced transgenic plant can be more easily, safely, and economically used as a fodder additive. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a reagent for diagnosing avian influenza virus infection, prepared by isolating and purifying a recombinant antigen protein from the transgenic plant.

Abstract: An composition comprises (a) a continuous aqueous phase; (b) an oily phase; and (c) an amphiphilic emulsifying system comprising a block copolymer having the formula (A)p-(B)q-(C)r, in which (B)q is a hydrophilic block and (C)r is a hydrophobic block; wherein p, q and r are integers with the proviso that: if p is 0, then A is other than hydroxyl or reactive functional groups and the block copolymer is a diblock copolymer; B and C are each individual repeating) units; if p is >1, then the block copolymer is a triblock copolymer, in which (A)p is a hydrophobic block; the hydrophobic blocks (A)p and (C)r are each homopolymers or heteropolymers; the repeating units A and C are the same or different; and wherein the ratio q/(p+r) is sufficient high so that the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of the block copolymer is >10.

Abstract: Vaccines of the invention include at least four influenza virus strains. In some embodiments, the vaccines are produced in cell culture rather than in eggs. In some embodiments, the vaccines include an adjuvant. In some embodiments, the vaccines are not split or whole virion vaccines, but are live or purified glycoprotein vaccines. In some embodiments, the vaccines contain substantially the same mass of hemagglutinin (HA) for each of the influenza virus strains. In some embodiments, the four strains will include two influenza A virus strains and two influenza B virus strains (‘A-A-B-B’). In other embodiments, the four strains will include three influenza A virus strains and one influenza B virus strain (‘A-A-A-B’).

Abstract: A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of a viral infection in a mammal is described. The method comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of a mollusc hemocyanin and/or an active fragment thereof. The hemocyanin may be an abalone hemocyanin.

Abstract: An immunogenic composition comprising influenza virus haemagglutinin and matrix proteins. These may be from influenza viruses grown in cell culture rather than eggs. The matrix protein may be a fragment of a full-length viral matrix protein e.g. a matrix M1 fragment with a molecular weight of less than 2 OkDa. The composition may be a subunit vaccine comprising purified surface glycoproteins.

Abstract: Provided herein are Salmonella enteritidis 13A strains and compositions comprising these strains. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Influenza A and methods of reducing morbidity associated with an Influenza A infection. Methods of enhancing an immune response to a vaccine vector by expressing a polypeptide of CD 154 capable of binding CD40 are also disclosed. Methods of developing a bacterial vaccine vector are disclosed. Methods of generating scarless site-specific mutations in a bacterium are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing new vaccines and treatments for the diseases related to canine influenza virus. It discloses influenza viral antigens, and methods of presenting these antigens to canines, especially dogs. It relates to attenuated and killed vaccines. The present invention relates to experimentally generated canine and equine influenza viruses. invention also includes influenza A, including H3, N8, H3N8, H7N7 and viruses which contain at least one genome segment from an canine or equine influenza virus. The present invention also relates to the use of these viruses in therapeutic compositions to protect canines, dogs in particular, from diseases caused by influenza viruses.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric flavivirus vectors including foreign peptides inserted into the envelope proteins of the vectors and methods of using these vectors.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) molecule may be increased by substitutions of amino acids in the HA sequence. The substitution of specific HA residues, such as asparagine at position 223 of H5 HA, increase the sensitivity of the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assay by altering receptor specificity and/or antibody-antigen binding. HA molecules containing such substitutions will be useful in the development of diagnostic reference viruses and improved influenza vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing flu virus according to which: a) immunizing a hen by administering a flu vaccine to the hen, b) triggering embryogenesis in one or more eggs of the immunized hen, c) infecting the one or more embryonated eggs by inoculating a flu virus into the allantoic cavity of the eggs, d) incubating the one or more infected embryonated eggs under temperature and humidity conditions that allow replication of the virus, and e) harvesting the allantoic fluid of the one or more incubated eggs containing the virus.