Disclosed is a vaccine adjuvant including at least one inverse microlatex, the inverse microlatex including at least one oil, at least one surfactant, at least one polymer such as, for example, a polyacrylate that is totally or partially neutralized in the form of alkali metal salts or ammonium salt, the vaccine adjuvant being entirely sterilizable by filtration or by passing through the heat of an autoclave and emulsifiable in one step with the aqueous phase including only a vaccine antigen.

The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions comprising: a) hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1E2 heterodimers, HCV E2, or HCV E1; and b) an adjuvant, where the adjuvant is a cyclic dinucleotide or an archaeosome. The present disclosure provides methods of inducing an immune response in an individual to HCV, the methods comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the present disclosure.

A method for synthesizing influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) within a plant or a portion of a plant is provided. The method involves expression of influenza HA in plants and the purification by size exclusion chromatography. The invention is also directed towards a VLP comprising influenza HA protein and plant lipids. The invention is also directed to a nucleic acid encoding influenza HA as well as vectors. The VLPs may be used to formulate influenza vaccines, or may be used to enrich existing vaccines.

The present disclosure provides recombinantly manufactured fusion proteins comprising a SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain (SARS-CoV-2-RBD) fragment or an analog thereof linked to a human Fc fragment for use in relation to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Embodiments include the administration of the fusion proteins to patients that have recovered from COVID-19 as a booster vaccination, to antibody naïve patients to produce antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enable the patients to become convalescent plasma donors, to patients who have been infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and have contracted COVID-19 in order to limit the scope of the infection and ameliorate the disease, and as a prophylactic COVID-19 vaccine. Exemplary Fc fusion proteins and pharmaceutical formulations of exemplary Fc fusion proteins are provided, in addition to methods of use and preparation.

The present invention provides compositions comprising anti-Siglec antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, and methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder using the same.

Embodiments of the disclosure include methods and compositions useful for treating cancer in an immunogenic manner so as to elicit local tumor regression, while priming systemic immunity. In one embodiment, there is expansion of tumor-specific immune cells through administration of fibroblasts, either natural or modified in an intratumoral and/or peritumoral manner. In other embodiments, manipulation of a local tumor microenvironment is achieved by injections of immune-modulating fibroblasts to facilitate expansion of immune effector cells, which are subsequently re-stimulated in the periphery by antigenic exposure. In another embodiment, agents are provided that allow for systemic derepression of immunity, while optionally augmenting ability of immune effector cells to expand and kill tumor cells.

Provided are methods for treatment of bladder cancer using compositions of modified Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette et Guerin (BCG). Also, provided are methods of treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer by intra-bladder injection of these modified BCG compositions. Also, provided are methods of treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer by intra-tumor injection of these modified BCG compositions.

Compositions and methods are provided for reducing the mammalian transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) through the administration to mammalian subjects of vaccine compositions comprising at least one immunogenic polypeptide comprising a S. pneumoniae protein or a fragment or variant thereof that is required for or involved in transmission of the bacteria between mammalian hosts. These vaccine compositions also serve to reduce the incidence rate of at least one invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae. Methods are also provided for identifying additional genetic factors involved in mammalian transmission of S. pneumoniae.

A method and an system for vaccinating a mammalian subject. The method includes the steps of: arranging a source of electromagnetic radiation proximate to a target zone of skin of the mammalian subject; controlling the source of electromagnetic radiation to deliver a dose of electromagnetic radiation to the target zone determined to create one or more thermally-denatured zones in the target zone; and intradermally injecting a vaccine within the target zone to vaccinate the mammalian subject. The system for vaccinating a subject may include an electromagnetic radiation source configured to be arranged proximate to a target zone on an exterior of the subject; a user control configured to selectively cause the electromagnetic radiation source to deliver a dose of electromagnetic radiation toward the target zone to create one or more thermally-denatured zones in the target zone; and a vaccine-delivery system configured to deliver a vaccine to the target zone.

Compositions are provided comprising a pro-reparative factor such as a colostrum, a nutritional protease inhibitor to decrease enzymatic digestion of the pro-reparative factors, and optionally a stabilizing agent, to allow the pro-reparative factors to reach the small intestine intact following oral administration. Methods are provided for treating, alleviating, and preventing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.