Methods are described for predicting ancestral sequences for viruses or portions thereof. Also described are predicted ancestral sequences for adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of gene transfer and methods of vaccinating subjects by administering a target antigen operably linked to the AAV capsid polypeptides.

The compositions and methods are described for generating an immune response to a Plasmodium antigen. The compositions and methods described herein relate to a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding one or more viral antigens for generating a protective immune response to malaria by expressing the Plasmodium antigen in the subject to which the MVA vector is administered. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful both prophylactically and therapeutically and may be used to prevent and/or treat malaria.

The present invention relates to viral Fc receptor or immunogenic fragments thereof for treating a viral infection in a subject and, in particular, a herpes vims infection. The present invention also relates to a heterodimer comprising or consisting of an Fc receptor from a HSV vims or an immunogenic fragment thereof and a binding partner from said HSV vims or a fragment thereof, for use in therapy.

Provided, herein, in certain embodiments are virus-like particles such as synthetic enveloped VLPs or synthetic membrane VLPs. In some embodiments, the VLPs comprise a lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, the VLPs comprise a purified antigen anchored to the lipid bilayer. Some embodiments relate to vaccines comprising the VLP, methods of using the vaccine, and methods of making the vaccine or VLP.

A hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine includes an HBV core antigen (HBcAg) and/or HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) formulated in nanocomplexes. The nanocomplexes contain chitosan and γ-PGA. These nanocomplexes containing HBc/sAg, chitosan, and γ-PGA can induce more balanced T helper cells (Th1 and Th2) polarization than can a conventional vaccine with an alum adjuvant. HBc/s-NC of the invention can elicit high levels of antibodies against HBsAg, a rapid elimination of HBsAg, and a slow decrease of HBeAg, indicating a phenomenon of HBsAg seroconversion. Thus, HBc/s-NC can overcome immune tolerance caused by chronic HBV infection to re-establish host immunity leading a functional cure.

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical combination and related methods for reducing tumor volume and/or increasing the survival of a cancer patient. The combination comprises an intravenous administration of a recombinant MVA encoding a tumor-associated antigen and an administration of an antibody to a cancer patient.

The present invention belongs to the field of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The present inventors found a sequence motif for identifying potent RIG-I agonists. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method for producing RIG-I agonists, the RIG-I agonists produced by said methods, and uses of said RIG-I agonists, as defined in the claims.

Described herein are compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of ebolavirus infection. In certain embodiments of the present invention, monoclonal antibodies substantially, similar to those described herein, as well as affinity matured variants thereof, alone or in combination, provide therapeutic efficacy in a patient against multiple species of ebolavirus.

Described herein are compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of ebolavirus infection. In certain embodiments of the present invention, monoclonal antibodies substantially similar to those described herein, as well as affinity matured variants thereof, alone or in combination, provide therapeutic efficacy in a patient against multiple species of ebolavirus.

We have developed a series of Ebola vims envelope glycoprotein (EboGP)-based chimeric fusion proteins that are still able to maintain an efficient EboGP-mediated virus entry in various cell types including human antigen-presenting cells (APCs) while presenting large viral polypeptides, such as HIV Env v3-v5 domain (as large as 241 aa), at the apex and the sides of each EboGP monomer to elicit robust host immune responses. This invention demonstrates the feasibility of an EboGP-based chimeric fusion technology as a novel vaccine approach against different microbial pathogens, including that in human and animals, and against cancers.