Human interleukin-2 (IL-2) muteins or variants thereof are provided. In particular, provided are IL-2 muteins that have an increased binding capacity for IL-2Rβ receptor as compared to wild-type IL-2 for use in combination therapies with anti-PD-1 antibodies for the treatment of cancer. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions that include such anti-PD-1 antibodies and the disclosed IL-2 muteins.

The present invention in particular relates to a method of producing an immunogenic composition exhibiting reduced virucidal activity, as well as to the immunogenic composition and uses thereof, wherein the method in particular comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mixture with a first liquid and a recombinant protein, (b) concentrating the recombinant protein in the mixture by removing a portion of the first liquid from the mixture, and (c) processing the solution resulting from step (b) by continuous diafiltration.

The present invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a sequence of a live, infectious, attenuated Flavivirus wherein a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a part of a Filovirus glycoprotein is located at the intergenic region between the E and NS1 gene of said Flavivirus, such that a chimeric virus is expressed, characterised in that the encoded sequence C terminally of the E protein of said Flavivirus and N terminally of the signal peptide of the NS1 protein of said Flavivirus comprises in the following order: a further signal peptide of a Flavivirus NS1 protein, a filovirus glycoprotein wherein the N terminal signal peptide is absent, a TM domain of a flaviviral E protein.

Provided are compositions and methods for vaccinating against picornaviruses. The compositions include modified Newcastle Disease viruses (NDVs) that are sufficient to produce virus-like particles (VLPs) in a host recipient. The modified NDVs contain a single stranded negative sense RNA polynucleotide having nucleotide sequences configured in a 3′-5′ direction encoding sequentially NDV nucleocapsid protein (NP), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), fusion protein (F), hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L) protein. A first nucleotide sequence encoding a picornavirus capsid polyprotein precursor is positioned between the between P and M nucleotide sequences. A second nucleotide sequence encoding a picornavirus protease that is capable of processing the capsid polyprotein precursor is positioned between the HN and L nucleotide sequences. Purified, infectious non-pathogenic NDV particles are included, as are methods for using such particles for vaccination against any infectious picornavirus. Kits and articles of manufacture containing and/or for making the NDV particles are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to compositions and therapeutic methods for activating an immune response in a patient in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the subject methods and compositions are able to antagonize the activity of VISTA, a naturally occurring “checkpoint” protein which contributes to immune tolerance, optionally in combination with an antagonist of a second checkpoint pathway such as PD-1. For example, such methods and compositions may be suitable for preventing and treating colon cancer or another cancer. An exemplary VISTA antagonist, specifically, an anti-VISTA antibody, is demonstrated herein to activate an immune response against cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, thereby conferring protective anti-tumor immunity which decreased tumor burden. Additionally, an additive benefit was observed when a VISTA antagonist was used in combination with a second checkpoint protein antagonist, specifically, an antibody against PD-1 ligand (PD-L1).

Provided herein are recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (rMVA) viral vectors comprising heterologous nucleic acid inserts encoding one or more SARS-CoV2 proteins, peptides, or fragments thereof, operably linked to a promoter compatible with poxvirus expression systems that, upon expression, are capable of inducing protective immunity. The compositions can be used in a priming vaccination strategy or in a prime/boost vaccination strategy to provide immunity to SARS-CoV2 and variants thereof.

An engineered Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vector is provided. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods of treating or preventing a disease such as cancer, or an infectious disease, or methods for eliciting an immune response, with the engineered NDV vector. The engineered NDV vector provided herein is useful as an immunogenic composition, an oncolytic agent, or a vaccine.

The present invention features agents for treating autoimmune diseases and other conditions characterized by pathological immune responses, and for preventing or reversing immune recognition of neoantigens associated with therapeutic proteins or gene therapy vectors.

A method for treating a patient comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a population of T cells expressing both a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a T cell receptor specific for a cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen; (b) administering the composition to the patient; and (c) administering to the patient a viral vector encoding: (i) CMV pp65 and (ii) a fusion protein comprising exon 4 of CMV protein IE1 (e4) and exon 5 of CMV protein 1E2 (e5) either prior to or subsequent to administering the composition comprising a population of T cells to the patient is described.

The present invention relates to polynucleotides comprising a sequence of a live, infectious, attenuated Flavivirus wherein a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a part of a arenavirus glycoprotein protein is located at the intergenic region between the E and NS1 gene of said Flavivirus, such that a chimeric virus is expressed, characterised in that the encoded sequence C terminally of the E protein of said Flavivirus and N terminally of the signal peptide of the NS1 protein of said Flavivirus comprises in the following order:—a further signal peptide of a Flavivirus NS1 protein,—an arenavirus Glycoprotein protein lacking the N terminal signal sequence and the GP2 transmembrane domain,—a TM1 and TM2 domain of a flaviviral E protein.