The invention relates, in general, to synthetic chimeric poxviruses, compositions comprising such viruses, and the development and use of systems and methods for producing such synthetic chimeric poxviruses. The synthetic chimeric poxviruses are well suited for live virus vaccines and pharmaceutical formulations.

Provided are antibodies that specifically bind Vaccinia Virus (VV) A56 or B5 antigen. Also provided are fusion proteins and conjugates that comprise the antibodies. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits that comprise the antibodies, fusion proteins and conjugates are also provided. Aspects of the present disclosure further include methods of using the antibodies, fusion proteins and conjugates, e.g., for therapeutic purposes. In certain embodiments, provided are methods that comprise administering an antibody, fusion protein or conjugate of the present disclosure to an individual having cancer, wherein the individual comprises cancer cells infected with VV, and wherein the antibody, fusion protein or conjugate is targeted to the infected cancer cells by VV antigens expressed on the surface of the infected cancer cells. Aspects of the present disclosure further include methods of targeting an antibody, fusion protein, or conjugate that specifically binds an oncolytic virus (OV) antigen to cancer cells in an individual.

This invention relates to the identification of peptide binding to ligands, and in particular to identification of epitopes expressed by microorganisms and by mammalian cells. The present invention provides polypeptides comprising the epitopes, and vaccines, antibodies and diagnostic products that utilize or are developed using the epitopes.

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.

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 disclosure provides compositions comprising at least one assembly comprising a peptide and a major histocompatibility complex (MHC), wherein the peptide is an integral component of the MHC, wherein the peptide is attached to a surface at its C-terminus through a linker and wherein the peptide is synthesized on the surface. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise a plurality of assemblies in a spatially-ordered array. The disclosure provides methods for making and using these compositions.

The compositions and methods are described for generating an immune response to an antigen. The compositions and methods described herein relate to a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding one or more viral antigens as a fusion product with a viral glycoprotein and matrix protein for generating a protective immune response to a subject to which the 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 diseases.

The present invention relates to recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) and to methods of using the same. In particular, the invention relates to recombinant MVA comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding for a structural protein of an equine encephalitis virus (EEV) excluding encoding for a capsid protein of the EEV, a composition in particular a pharmaceutical composition, a vaccine or kit comprising the recombinant MVA, uses and methods thereof e.g., suitable for treating and/or preventing a western, Venezuelan, and/or eastern equine encephalitis virus caused disease.

Disclosed are methods of producing poxvirus-based vectors or recombinant poxvirus-based vectors from naturally derived, chemically synthesized DNA fragments, or a combination of naturally derived and chemically synthesized DNA fragments. One or more DNA sequences encoding one or more antigens, subunits or fragments thereof or other heterologous gene sequences are inserted in one or more poxvirus insertion sites in one or more DNA fragments. The methods include transfecting a host cell with one or more circular or linear DNA fragments such that a poxvirus or recombinant poxvirus is reconstituted in the host cell, the reconstituted poxvirus or recombinant poxvirus comprising the genome of a desired poxvirus. Also disclosed are poxviruses or recombinant poxviruses produced by the technology and uses thereof.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions related to therapy for cancer. More specifically, the disclosed methods and compositions are related to the use of smallpox vaccine to induce an effective anti-tumor immune response.