Abstract: A method for treatment of HIV infection includes administering at least one anti-HIV drug, such as a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, to a patient in need of such treatment and administering an extract from inflammatory tissue inoculated with vaccinia virus to the patient following the administration of the at least one anti-HIV drug. The extract maintains suppressive action on HIV replication, even if the administration of the anti-HIV drug is terminated.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition of recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an antigen to a disease causing agent and a recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an immunostimulatory molecule(s) for the purpose of stimulating an immune response against the disease causing agent. Methods of treatment of diseases such as cancer and diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms is provide using the composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a poxviral particle having a targeted infection specificity conferred by an heterologous ligand moiety present at the surface of said poxviral particle and capable of specifically recognizing and binding to an anti-ligand molecule localized at the surface of target cells. The present invention further relates to a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric polypeptide including such an heterologous ligand moiety and all or part of a natural poxviral surface polypeptide. The present invention additionally concerns compositions comprising said poxviral particle or said vector as well as their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The invention is of very special interest in gene therapy applications, in particular in preventing or treating cancer in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a poxviral particle having a targeted infection specificity conferred by an heterologous ligand moiety present at the surface of said poxviral particle and capable of specifically recognizing and binding to an anti-ligand molecule localized at the surface of target cells. The present invention further relates to a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric polypeptide including such an heterologous ligand moiety and all or part of a natural poxviral surface polypeptide. The present invention additionally concerns compositions comprising said poxviral particle or said vector as well as their use for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The invention is of very special interest in gene therapy applications, in particular in preventing or treating cancer in mammals.

Abstract: The sent invention relates to a recombinant poxvirus vector capable of expressing two or more homologous, foreign sequences, which derive from different variants of a microorganism, and which have a homology of 50% or above. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such recombinant poxvirus and the use of such recombinant poxvirus as medicament or vaccine. Additionally, a method for affecting preferably inducing, an immune response in a living animal, including a human, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost inoculation regimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic or vaccine composition to induce an immune response or protective immune response against Orbiviruses, more specifically bluetongue virus (BTV) in an animal susceptible to BTV infection. The composition may include a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable vehicle or excipient, and a vector. The vector may contain heterologous nucleic acid molecule(s), expresses in vivo in the animal BTV antigen, immunogen or epitope thereof, e.g., BTV VP2; BTV VP2 and VP5; BTV VP2 and VP5 and VP3 and/or VP7. The composition can contain an adjuvant, such as carbomer. Methods for making and using such a composition, including prime-boost regimes and including as to differential diagnosis, are also contemplated.

Abstract: Recombinant poxvirus are disclosed comprising in the viral genome at least two expression cassettes, each comprising a cowpox ATI promoter according to SEQ ID NO:1, a polynucleotide sequence in which not more than 6 nucleotides are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted into SEQ ID NO:1 and still active as an ATI promoter, or a polynucleotide comprising at least 10 nucleotides including nucleotides 22 to 29 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and still active as an ATI promoter and a coding sequence, wherein the expression of the coding sequence is regulated by said promoter or said polynucleotides. The recombinant poxviruses are useful as pharmaceutically active ingredients in the preparation of vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fowl pox virus encoding an HIV antigen (gag and/or pol) and a cytokine (?-interferon).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fowlpox virus genome which has modifications in one or more wild-type FPV genes. The present invention also relates to a viral particle comprising such a genome and its use to deliver a nucleotide of interest (NOI) to a target cell. The present invention also relates to vaccination methods, particularly a method which comprises administering a priming composition (which comprises a first non-replicating viral vector) and a boosting composition (which comprises a second non-replicating viral vector) to a subject to treat and/or prevent a disease.

Abstract: Recombinants containing and expressing lentivirus, retrovirus or immunodeficiency virus DNA and methods for making and using the same are disclosed and claimed. In an exemplified embodiment, attenuated recombinant viruses containing DNA encoding a feline immunodeficiency virus epitope such as an antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, expression products therefrom, and antibodies generated from the viruses or expression products, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinants can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinants. The DNA can encode at least one of: Env, Gag, Pol, or combinations thereof such as Gag and Pol or protease or Env, Gag and Pol or protease. The recombinants and gene products therefrom and antibodies generated by them have several preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic uses. DNA from the recombinants are useful as probes or, for generating PCR primers or for immunization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Two vaccinia virus CD8+ T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human MHC class I allele, HLA-A0201 have been identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. The induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8+ T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. This information will be useful for the design and analyses of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vaccinia viruses derived from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and containing and capable of expressing foreign genes which are inserted at the site of a naturally occurring deletion in the MVA genome, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses for the production of polypeptides, e.g. antigens or therapeutic agents, or viral vectors for gene therapy, and the use of such recombinant MVA viruses encoding antigens as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost innoculation regimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and characterisation of a viral homologue (vCD30) of mammalian CD30. The vCD30 polypeptide is shown to have immunomodulatory activity and has various therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Recombinant viruses containing DNA coding for a rabies virus antigen, such as rabies virus G are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom are useful for eliciting an immunological against rabies virus, and, the gene products and antibodies elicited thereby are useful in assays.

Abstract: The invention provides attenuated vaccinia virus vaccines that can be used in methods to prevent or treat small pox in patients, as well as methods of obtaining such vaccines.

Abstract: The invention generally features the use of Yaba monkey tumor virus nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides for the treatment or prevention of immune-related diseases.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a virus for the preparation of a medicament for the vaccination, treatment, or protection, of a neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, wherein the virus is capable of infecting the cells of the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human, but not capable of being replicated to infectious progeny virus in the neonatal or prenatal animal, including a human. The virus is preferably a Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara. In particular, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against infections with viruses belonging the same virus group as the virus used for vaccination. Moreover, the invention concerns the vaccination of neonates against antigens selected from foreign antigens and tumor antigens, wherein the tumor antigen and/or the foreign antigen are different from the antigens associated with the virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a formulation, in particular an aqueous formulation comprising (i) a poxvirus of one of the genera orthopoxvirus, avipoxvirus, parapoxvirus, capripoxvirus and suipoxvirus, (ii) a disaccharide, (iii) a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer and optionally (iv) a buffer. The aqueous formulation is particularly suitable for freeze drying processes resulting in a stable, freeze-dried, poxvirus containing composition. The invention further concerns a method for preparing a freeze-dried, poxvirus containing composition and the thus obtained product.

Abstract: An adjuvant composition comprising noscapine and its derivatives, for use in the treatment of tumors, cancer, as an adjuvant for vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses, containing more than one exogenous gene inserted into either the thymidine kinase gene, the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof. Disclosed is the use of the multivalent recombinant raccoon poxviruses as vaccines to immunize felines against subsequent challenge by feline pathogens. Also disclosed is a method of making a multivalent recombinant raccoon poxvirus by a recombination process involving the construction of an insertion vector into which the exogenous genes are inserted, and flanking the inserted genes are sequences which can recombine into the raccoon poxvirus thymidine kinase gene, or the hemagglutinin gene, or a combination thereof; introducing both the insertion vector containing the exogenous genes, and raccoon poxvirus into susceptible host cells; and selecting the recombinant raccoon poxvirus from the resultant plaques.

Abstract: Recombinant poxviruses, such as vaccinia, are provided that comprises a segment comprised of (A) a first DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide that is foreign to poxvirus and (B) a poxvirus transcriptional regulatory sequence, wherein (i) said transcriptional regulatory sequence is adjacent to and exerts transcriptional control over said first DNA sequence and (ii) said segment is positioned within a nonessential genomic region of said recombinant poxvirus. Vaccines, carriers, cells, and media comprising recombinant poxviruses, and methods of immunization with recombinant poxviruses also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine accelerator factor (VAF) which is an in ovo nucleotide immuno-stimulant. The VAF contains one or more DNA constructs, each having a DNA molecule and a vector. Each of the DNA molecule contains one or more genes or gene fragments, each encoding an antigenic peptide of an avian virus. The VAF is preferably administered to the amniotic fluid of an egg after being fertilized for about 17–19 days. The VAF can be co-administered with a viral vaccine containing one or more attenuated or inactive avian viruses. Alternatively, the VAF can be administered prior to the administration of the viral vaccine, which is administered at hatch or post-hatch. The VAF stimulates and accelerate a protective immune response of a viral vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant poxviruses, such as vaccinia virus, that contain an integrated exogenous sequence, such as a foreign gene, encoding a prodrug converting polypeptide that can convert a prodrug to a drug that prevents virus replication or is otherwise toxic to the virus. The recombinant poxviruses can be suitable for use as vaccines. The invention also provides, among other things, methods of inhibiting virus replication, methods of vaccination and methods of treating vaccinated subjects showing signs or otherwise at risk for of vaccination-induced disease.

Abstract: A vaccine including recombinant vaccinia virus (ATCC VR-1354) having an inserted gene for coding glutamic acid decarboxylase is used for preventing type 1 diabetes mellitus. The glutamic acid decarboxylase expressed from the recombinant virus suppresses or tolerizes the autoreactive T cell, and induces immunological tolerance, thus effectively prevents or delays the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for generating a safe and effective oral smallpox vaccine for humans using a genetically defective strain of vaccinia virus to confer immunity following oral delivery of the vaccine. This invention is one that expands on current use of vaccinia virus propagation developed for gene therapy applications, and pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals packaging and formulation technologies. The vaccine invention can be delivered as a live virus with the ability to express viral proteins but unable to achieve complete, lytic virus replication, or it may be derived from such a virus, contain additional immunogens, or be delivered as viral antigens. Furthermore, the invention establishes innovative methods for formulation and packaging and for preclinical testing of the vaccine invention for safety, efficacy and potency with the use of human intestinal and other test cells and diagnostic test systems and kits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA, which is operably linked to at least one expression control element and which is incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, in the manufacture of a vector vaccine for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infectious diseases in non-lepori species. The invention furthermore relates to a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome characterized in that said exogenous DNA encodes at least one antigen of a non-lepori pathogen. Due to its restricted host-range the recombinant leporipox virus is non-pathogenic in non-susceptible hosts such as non-lepori vertebrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost innoculation regimen.

Abstract: The invention provides gp38 polypeptides, which play a role in immunomodulation, nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods employing these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activities of gp38 nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and therapeutic methods employing these compounds.

Abstract: A poxvirus protein designated A41L binds to leukocyte common-antigen-related protein (LAR). A41L is a secreted protein that can be purified from the culture supernatant of cells infected with certain poxviruses, or produced using recombinant DNA techniques. A41L polypeptides and LAR polypeptides, and nucleic acids encoding them, are provided herein. Also provided are methods of using such polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of use of recombinant vaccinia virus from which the region encoding the N-terminal 83 or 54 amino acids of the E3L gene product has been deleted, or amino acids at positions 44 and 66 have been mutated. Compositions comprising the recombinant vaccinia virus are also provided.

Abstract: A purified Parapoxvirus ovis envelope protein termed “B2L” can be used as a monotherapeutic agent. B2L protein also can be used in screening methods to identify potential therapeutic agents for modulating a subject's immune response to the B2L protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing poxvirus, in particular Chordopoxvirus, wherein the poxvirus is cultivated at a temperature below 37° C. The process leads to increased virus propagation at the decreased temperature.

Abstract: Multipotent paramunity inducers are described which are based on combinations of poxvirus components derived from various poxviruses with paramunizing properties and which have been improved in terms of their potency and their paramunization-related activities as compared with the known paramunity inducers. The invention also relates to a method for preparing these multipotent paramunity inducers and to their use as drugs.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for generating a safe and effective oral smallpox vaccine for humans using a genetically defective strain of vaccinia virus to confer immunity following oral delivery of the vaccine. This invention is one that expands on current use of vaccinia virus propagation developed for gene therapy applications, and pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals packaging and formualtion technologies. The vaccine invention can be delivered as a live virus with the ability to express viral proteins but unable to achieve complete, lytic virus replication, or it may be derived from such a virus, contain additional immunogens, or be delivered as viral antigens. Furthermore, the invention establishes innovative methods for formulation and packaging and for preclinical testing of the vaccine invention for safety, efficacy and potency with the use of human intestinal and other test cells and diagnostic test systems and kits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA, which is operably linked to at least one expression control element and which is incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome, in the manufacture of a vector vaccine for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infectious diseases in non-lepori species. The invention furthermore relates to a live, recombinant leporipox virus comprising exogenous DNA operably linked to at least one expression control element and incorporated in a non-essential region of the virus genome characterized in that said exogenous DNA encodes at least one antigen of a non-lepori pathogen. Due to its restricted host-range the recombinant leporipox virus is non-pathogenic in non-susceptible hosts such as non-lepori vertebrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost innoculation regimen.

Abstract: The Parapox B2L virus envelope protein is used as an adjuvant to enhance a subject's response to an administered antigen. Both antibody and cellular immune responses can be modified. B2L protein is particularly useful as an adjuvant for poorly immunogenic tumor vaccines and subunit vaccines, such as those useful for preventing and/or treating flu, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, anthrax and HIV.

Abstract: In the present invention parapox genomes were screened using a novel expression strategy to test genes for dendritic cell recruitment activity. One gene was identified, designated as B2WL, that induces dendritic cell accumulation when expressed in skin. In additional testing a second gene, PP30, was identified that exhibited adjuvant activity in the absence of stimulating dendritic cell accumulation at the site of inoculation. When co-inoculated with an antigen-encoding plasmid, both genes acted as adjuvants in stimulating an antibody response to antigens. Furthermore, nucleic acids encoding the identified B2WL peptide adjuvant enhanced the level of protection against viral infection provided by immunization with an HA-expression plasmid. Thus, novel adjuvants for genetic immunization are identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant vaccinia virus having a deletion of the region encoding the C-terminal seven amino acids of the E3L gene product and comprising exogenous DNA. Compositions comprising the recombinant vaccinia virus and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Replication-defective recombinant poxvirus encoding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are disclosed for use in enriching an immunization site with antigen-presenting cells (APC), for enhancing an immunological response to antigen or immunological epitopes by functioning as a biological adjuvant, for prevention or treatment of neutropenia, and for the treatment of myeloidysplastic syndromes. Compositions comprising a replication-defective recombinant virus encoding GM-CSF alone or in combination with a recombinant virus encoding an antigen and optionally encoding an immunostimulatory molecule are disclosed for enhancing antigen-specific immunological responses, in particular enhancing tumor antigen responses for anti-tumor therapy. Methods for enriching an immunization site with APC and for enhancing immunological responses to an antigen or immunological epitope using replication-defective recombinant poxvirus encoding GM-CSF are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides attenuated vaccinia virus vaccines that can be used in methods to prevent or treat small pox in patients, as well as methods of obtaining such vaccines.

Abstract: The Parapox B2L virus envelope protein is used as an adjuvant to enhance a subject's response to an administered antigen. Both antibody and cellular immune responses can be modified. B2L protein is particularly useful as an adjuvant for poorly immunogenic tumor vaccines and subunit vaccines, such as those useful for preventing and/or treating flu, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, anthrax and HIV.

Abstract: The recombinant live vaccine comprises a viral vector incorporating and expressing in vivo a heterologous nucleotide sequence, preferably a gene of a pathogenic agent, and at least one adjuvant compound chosen from the acrylic or methacrylic polymers and the copolymers of maleic anhydride and an alkenyl derivative. It is in particular a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of a sugar or polyalcohol (carbomer), in particular cross-linked with an allyl sucrose or with allylpentaerythritol. It may also be a copolymer of maleic anhydride and ethylene cross-linked, for example, with divinyl ether.

Abstract: Recombinant pox viruses capable of expressing cell-encoded, tumor-associated antigens are disclosed. The recombinant viruses are useful for evoking an immune response against the antigen.

Abstract: Antibodies directed to SPICE which may be used for detection, prevention, and treatment of variola virus are provided. Recombinant SPICE and VCP proteins are also provided which are used for enhancing the immune response to variola virus. Furthermore, modulation of complement activation by administering recombinant SPICE and VCP is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of strains of Parapoxvirus ovis as immunotherapeutic agents for immunodeficiencies of an infectious or non-infectious nature, and to the use of strains of Parapoxvirus ovis for treating tumor diseases and viral infections, and diseases which accompany them, and the use of strains of Parapoxvirus ovis for producing medicaments for use in humans and animals.

Abstract: The invention provides new strains of the Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) that have a strongly reduced virulence for most mammals, especially humans, but nevertheless grows in cells of a continuous cell line approved for the production of a therapeutic agent such as a vaccine. The invention also provides a method for producing said adapted MVA strains. The adapted MVA can be used e.g. for parenteral immunization, as a vector system, or in the active or inactivated from as an adjuvant or as a regulator of the unspecific components of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence useful for inserting heterologous sequences into the genome of poxviruses by homologous recombination. The present invention relates also, inter alia, to recombinant poxvirses carrying heterologous coding sequences transferred by the vector according to the present invention.