Abstract: The present invention relates to a binding molecule comprising at least three domains comprised in at least one polypeptide chain, wherein the first binding domain is a binding domain which is capable of binding to a cell surface molecule on a target cell, the second binding domain is a binding domain which is capable of binding to the T cell CD3 receptor complex, and the third domain is a binding domain which is capable of binding to serum albumin, wherein said third domain is positioned at the C-terminus of said second domain. Moreover, the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding the binding molecule, a vector comprising said nucleic acid sequence and a host cell transformed or transfected with said vector. Furthermore, the invention provides a process for the production of the binding molecule of the invention, a medical use of said binding molecule and a kit comprising said binding molecule.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encoding a chimeric protein, the chimeric protein including (i) at least one amino acid sequence having at least 50% sequence identity with any of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-5, and (ii) at least one amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with any of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 6-8. The chimeric protein includes at least one amino acid sequence of (i) and at least one amino acid sequence of (ii) that are from different Borrelia strains or species.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising variant vascular endothelial growth factor sequences are provided. The polypeptides are useful in cancer imaging, cancer diagnosis, monitoring and treatment as well as treatment of diseases characterized by excessive neovascularization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising factor VIII coagulation factors linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in treatment of factor VIII-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Abstract: Expression vector systems are provided for increased production of a recombinant GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) protein. Also provided are transformed host cells that were engineered to produce and express high levels of rhGDF-5 protein. Methods for production and high expression of rhGDF-5 protein are disclosed herein. The methods of enhancing production and protein expression of rhGDF-5 protein as disclosed are cost-effective, time-saving and are of manufacturing quality.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting bone growth and increasing bone density and strength. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides ALK3 polypeptides, including ALK3-Fc fusion proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit for detection of association of a peripheral cellular membrane binding protein with cellular membranes in living cells and methods thereof. The kit includes a first nucleic acid construct comprising a first nucleic acid molecule encoding a first fusion protein comprising a peripheral cellular membrane binding protein or membrane binding domain thereof operatively coupled to DNA binding and transactivation domains of a naturally occurring or chimeric transcription factor and a first promoter operatively associated with the first nucleic acid molecule. A second nucleic acid construct comprises a second nucleic acid molecule encoding a reporter protein and a second promoter responsive to the DNA binding and transactivation domains of the first fusion protein. The second promoter is operatively associated with the second nucleic acid molecule. Activation of the second promoter results in expression of the reporter protein. Also disclosed is a transgenic non-human animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoconjugates. In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to immunoconjugates comprising at least one single-chain effector moiety and two or more antigen binding moieties. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoconjugates, vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the immunoconjugates of the invention, and to methods of using these immunoconjugates in the treatment of disease.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to penetration-enhanced targeted proteins and their uses for therapeutics delivery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chimeric peptide construct comprising a cell penetrating peptide linked to a pro-apoptotic peptide, for use in treating a tumor in combination with an anti-tumor agent, preferably a chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: A bispecific chimeric protein including a designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin), and an IgG antibody, an scFv-Fc antibody fragment, or a combination thereof, linked to the DARPin; a method for treating or preventing cancer using the same; and related methods and compositions.

Abstract: Establishment of an effective and uniform vaccine development strategy is key to conquering current and emerging infectious diseases. Despite successes against an array of bacterial agents, current approaches to vaccine development are as diverse as the microbes they target and require adjuvants that often have limited efficacy and/or toxic side effects. As a consequence, vaccine discovery is often slow, inefficient, and unsuccessful in the case of many high priority pathogens. The present disclosure suggests that vaccine generation for bacterial pathogens can be improved by optimizing the efficiency of processing/presentation of a bacterial immunogen via the targeting of immunogen to CR2 and/or TLR2 on APCs. This approach not only yields an adjuvant-free mucosal vaccine against a Category A biothreat agent, but also establishes a novel genetic approach/platform for vaccine development, which is applicable to many other infectious agents, thereby profoundly impacting preventive medicine/public health.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a substance usable as an anticancer agent or DDS, which has intracellular stability, which is capable of evading side effects from functional disorder with respect to normal cells, or which has instantaneous effect. The inventors developed a novel chimeric peptide targeting cancer cells which overexpress EGFR or the like using a binding peptide such as a peptide sequence binding to EGFR, and a lytic peptide sequence, thereby solving such an object. Particularly, by using a chimeric peptide including an EGF receptor-binding peptide or the like and a cytotoxic peptide, this object was solved.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a substance usable as an anticancer agent or DDS, which has intracellular stability, which is capable of evading side effects from functional disorder with respect to normal cells, or which has instantaneous effect. The inventors developed a novel chimeric peptide targeting cancer cells which overexpress EGFR or the like using a binding peptide such as a peptide sequence binding to EGFR, and a lytic peptide sequence, thereby solving such an object. Particularly, by using a chimeric peptide including an EGF receptor-binding peptide or the like and a cytotoxic peptide, this object was solved.

Abstract: The invention is directed to immunogenic compositions and methods for their use in the formulation and administration of therapeutic and prophylactic pharmaceutical agents. In particular, the invention provides immunogenic compositions and methods for preventing, treating, and/or ameliorating the symptoms of one or more microbial infections, including, for example, influenza.

Abstract: The present invention provides a VWF fragment comprising the D? domain and D3 domain of VWF, a chimeric protein comprising the VWF fragment and a heterologous moiety, or a chimeric protein comprising the VWF fragment and a FVIII protein and methods of using the same. A polypeptide chain comprising a VWF fragment of the invention binds to or is associated with a polypeptide chain comprising a FVIII protein and the polypeptide chain comprising the VWF fragment can prevent or inhibit binding of endogenous VWF to the FVIII protein. By preventing or inhibiting binding of endogenous VWF to the FVIII, which is a half-life limiting factor for FVIII, the VWF fragment can induce extension of half-life of the FVIII protein. The invention also includes nucleotides, vectors, host cells, methods of using the VWF fragment, or the chimeric proteins.

Abstract: A fusion polypeptide capable of binding simultaneously to angiopoietin 2, VEGF-C and VEGF-D; or capable of binding simultaneously to VEGF-C and VEGF-D, and methods for the preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: Isolated SAA peptides, fusion proteins and compositions comprising such are provided as are domain-specific SAA antibodies. Methods of treating sepsis and endotoxemia are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a fusion protein made from a synthetic gene construct comprising of elements derived from the Leishmania antigens K26, K39, and K9. The fusion protein is particularly useful in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, particularly visceral leishmaniasis in animals such as humans and dogs.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Disclosed herein are methods and compounds for screening and identifying ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Also disclosed are chimeric G proteins and methods for detecting the activation or inhibition of GPCRs.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an isolated antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, comprising a bioactive peptide amino acid sequence, wherein the bioactive peptide amino acid sequence is an inhibitor of the complement system and is fused to at least one of: (i) the amino terminal region of at least one of: a light chain variable region and/or a heavy chain variable region; or (ii) the carboxy terminal region of at least one of: a light chain constant region and/or a heavy chain constant region, wherein the antibody inhibits complement activation.

Abstract: This invention provides an anti-cancer immunogenic agent(s) (e.g. vaccines) that elicit an immune response specifically directed against renal cell cancers expressing a G250 antigenic marker. Preferred immunogenic agents comprise a chimeric molecule comprising a kidney cancer specific antigen (G250) attached to a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The agents are useful in a wide variety of treatment modalities including, but not limited to protein vaccination, DNA vaccination, and adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: An assay for identifying ligands of the ?1 receptor based on a fusion protein comprising the ?1 receptor flanked by two fluorophores, so that said fluorophores are capable of producing constitutive FRET when no ligand is bound to the ?1 receptor. The fusion protein of the invention also allows the simultaneous determination whether the newly determined ligand is an agonist or an antagonist. Said fusion protein has been expressed in a cell, giving rise to a new cellular model useful for identifying ?1 receptor ligands, and additionally for discriminating between agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriohytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DNA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources.

Abstract: POTE has recently been identified as a tumor antigen expressed in a variety of human cancers, including colon, ovarian, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer. Described herein are immunogenic POTE polypeptides, including modified POTE polypeptides, that bind MHC class I molecules. The immunogenic POTE polypeptides are capable of inducing an immune response against POTE-expressing tumor cells. Thus, provided herein is a method of eliciting an immune response in a subject, such as a subject having a type of cancer that expresses POTE.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a genetic construct, a protein, and a polymer comprising a domain swapping module. A domain swapping module is a fusion protein in which a lever protein, which has a long amino (N) to carboxy (C) terminal distance, is inserted into a surface loop of an assembler protein, thereby stretching the assembler protein and splitting it into two fragments held apart by the lever so that they cannot rejoin. If the assembler protein is split at the proper location, the fragments will recombine with their respective counterparts from either one or more different—but similarly-split—assembler proteins.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for treating hypogly.

Abstract: The present invention refers to single-chain fusion proteins comprising three soluble TNF superfamily (TNFSF) cytokine domains and nucleic acid molecules encoding these fusion proteins. The fusion proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.

Abstract: Methods of modifying, repairing, attenuating and inactivating a gene or other chromosomal DNA in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating or prophylaxis of a genetic disease in an individual in need thereof. Further disclosed are chimeric restriction endonucleases.

Abstract: The invention relates to reagents and methods for enhancing an immune response using CD36 binding region/antigen hybrid polypeptides or polynucleotides encoding the hybrid polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion proteins including an autoimmune antigen, an allergen antigen or an alloantigen, and an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Compositions and methods including the fusion proteins are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of vault complexes containing recombinant cytokine fusion proteins that include a cytokine and a vault targeting domain, and methods of using the vault complexes to deliver the cytokines to a cell or subject, and methods for using the compositions to treat cancer, such as lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optimized anti-CD3 variable sequences for use in a variety of bispecific formats, including those that utilize scFv components. The invention further relates to nucleic acids encoding for the polypeptide, to vectors comprising the same and to host cells comprising the vector. In another aspect, the invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising the mentioned polypeptide and medical uses of the polypeptide.

Abstract: This disclosure provides universal influenza vaccines which can provide extended protection for several years, provide improved protection to circulating influenza strains that were not predicted accurately for annual vaccine manufacturing, and provide protection against newly emerging strains of influenza virus which carry the potential for establishing global pandemics.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods that make use of complexes comprising one or more inhibitory nucleic acids and a targeting polypeptide, wherein the targeting polypeptide consists of a cell surface receptor ligand. The compositions can be used in methods of silencing gene expression in a cell, in delivering agents to a target cell, and in treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates in generally to RNAi and its use in gene silencing. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and constructs for delivering double stranded RNA (dsRNA) to pest organisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to modified nucleic acid compositions encoding cell-penetrating polypeptides to provoke an innate immune response in a cell and methods of delivering protein-binding partners to target cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising growth hormone linked to extended recombinant polypeptide (XTEN), isolated nucleic acids encoding the compositions and vectors and host cells containing the same, and methods of making and using such compositions in treatment of growth hormone-related diseases, disorders, and conditions.

Abstract: A method of detecting active TB in a patient comprising providing at least one peptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ. ID NOS. 1 to 8, or an antigenic fragment thereof and contacting the peptide with a biological sample obtained from the patient. The presence of an antibody in the sample binding to the peptide is indicative of active TB in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle comprising a polypeptide and at least one malaria antigen, and a composition or vaccine comprising thereof, its use in medicine, particularly in the prevention or treatment of malaria infections.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides heterodimeric antibodies comprising a first monomer comprising a first heavy chain constant domain comprising a first variant Fc domain and a first antigen binding domain and a second monomer comprising a second heavy chain constant domain comprising a second variant Fc domain and a second antigen binding domain. In an additional aspect the heterodimeric antibody comprises a first monomer comprising a heavy chain comprising a first Fc domain and a single chain Fv region (scFv) that binds a first antigen, wherein the scFv comprises a charged scFv linker. The heterodimeric antibody further comprises a second monomer comprising a first heavy chain comprising a second Fc domain and a first variable heavy chain and a first light chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell-penetrating peptide, optionally linked to a pro-apoptotic peptide, useful as pro-apoptotic agents, for inhibition of in vitro cell proliferation and for treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The application provides polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of at least one Alphabody, wherein said Alphabody is capable of internalization into a cell and specifically binds to an intracellular target molecule. The application further provides nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides; methods for preparing such polypeptides; host cells expressing or capable of expressing such polypeptides; compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such polypeptides, nucleic acids and/or host cells; and uses of such polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells and/or compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DNA encoding a composition of matter of the formula (X1)a—(F1)d—(X2)b—(F2)e—(X3)c??(I) and multimers thereof, in which F1 and F2 are half-life extending moieties, and d and e are each independently 0 or 1, provided that at least one of d and e is 1; X1, X2, and X3 are each independently -(L)f-P-(L)g-, and f and g are each independently 0 or 1; P is a ShK peptide analog of no more than about 80 amino acid residues in length; L is an optional linker; and a, b, and c are each independently 0 or 1, provided that at least one of a, b and c is 1. A DNA encoding the ShK peptide analog is disclosed. Also disclosed are an expression vector comprising the DNA, and a host cell comprising the expression vector.

Abstract: The application relates to antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacteria, in particular to fusion proteins composed of an enzyme having the activity of degrading the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria and a peptide stretch fused to the enzyme at the N- or C-terminus, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Moreover, it relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such a fusion protein, vectors carrying the nucleic acid molecules and host cells transformed with either the nucleic acid molecules or the vectors. In addition, it relates to such a fusion protein for use as a medicament, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, as diagnostic means or as cosmetic substance. The application also relates to the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial contamination of foodstuff, of food processing equipment, of food processing plants, of surfaces coming into contact with foodstuff, of medical devices, of surfaces in hospitals and surgeries.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel immunoglobulin compositions that co-engage at least two antigens, e.g. a first and second antigen, or, as outlined herein, three or four antigens can be bound, in some of the scaffold formats described herein. First and second antigens of the invention are herein referred to as antigen-1 and antigen-2 respectively (or antigen-3 and antigen-4, if applicable. As outlined herein, a number of different formats can be used, with some scaffolds relying combinations of monovalent and bivalent bindings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a modified von Willebrand Factor (VWF) having a higher Factor VIII binding affinity than non-modified VWF, its pharmaceutical use and method of its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides unstructured recombinant polymers (URPs) and proteins containing one or more of the URPs. The present invention also provides microproteins, toxins and other related proteinaceous entities, as well as genetic packages displaying these entities. The present invention also provides recombinant polypeptides including vectors encoding the subject proteinaceous entities, as well as host cells comprising the vectors. The subject compositions have a variety of utilities including a range of pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising variant vascular endothelial growth factor sequences are provided. The polypeptides are useful in cancer imaging, cancer diagnosis, monitoring and treatment as well as treatment of diseases characterized by excessive neovascularization.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to engineered transport proteins comprising at last one fluorescent reporter covalently bound to the transporter protein, wherein the transporter proteins comprise a structural inverted repeat motif, with the motif comprising a first and second subunit that are structural inverted repeats of one another and that are joined to one another by a polypeptide loop.