A method for separating virus-like particles from a cell suspension of host cells. The virus-like particles having at least one envelope protein embedded in a lipid double membrane including at least a portion corresponding to a small envelope protein of a virus of the family Hepadnaviridae. The host cells are disrupted to obtain a first suspension. A supernatant containing the virus-like particles is separated from the first suspension. Then, an adsorbent is added to the supernatant and separated off. Then, the virus-like particles are desorbed from the adsorbent by adding a desorption buffer. A soluble calcium salt is added to a supernatant separated from the second suspension to form a precipitate, the precipitate formed is separated off and transferred to a third suspension. The virus-like particles are separated from the third suspension and purified.

The present invention relates to virus-like particles (VLPs) having a high affinity protein attachment system which allows interchangeable decoration with any functional molecule of choice. The present invention further relates to processes of producing the VLPs, including a rapid single cell process, and uses of the VLPs in research, diagnosis and as vaccines for use in prevention/treatment of diseases.

The invention provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising the EDIII domain of each of Dengue virus serotype DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 linked to the N-terminal of HBsAg.

The invention provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising the EDIII domain of each of Dengue virus serotype DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 linked to the N-terminal of HBsAg.

The present invention relates to methods and uses for screening anti-hepadnaviral substances, wherein the substances are screened for the capacity to inhibit covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of a hepadnavirus, like hepatitis B virus. The methods and uses take advantage of cells comprising a nucleic sequence encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen, like Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Furthermore, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen and proteins encoded thereby. Also kits for use in the screening methods are provided.

The invention provides a recombinant polypeptide comprising the EDIII domain of each of Dengue virus serotype DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 linked to the N-terminal of HBsAg.

The present invention relates to methods and uses for screening anti-hepadnaviral substances, wherein the substances are screened for the capacity to inhibit covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of a hepadnavirus, like hepatitis B virus. The methods and uses take advantage of cells comprising a nucleic sequence encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen, like Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Furthermore, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen and proteins encoded thereby. Also kits for use in the screening methods are provided.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for therapeutic immunization for treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB). Methods of the invention include a method generating a high titer hybrid-hepatitis B virus (HBV) vector, methods of treating and/or preventing HBV infection and/or CHB, and methods of inducing a memory T and B cell immune response against HBV infection in a subject administered the VLV composition produced thereby. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition for vaccinating a subject to protect the subject against infection with HBV.

The present invention relates to methods and uses for screening anti-hepadnaviral substances, wherein the substances are screened for the capacity to inhibit covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of a hepadnavirus, like hepatitis B virus. The methods and uses take advantage of cells comprising a nucleic sequence encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen, like Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Furthermore, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen and proteins encoded thereby. Also kits for use in the screening methods are provided.

The invention provides a protein comprising hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) with a sequence of the formula X.sub.pZ.sub.qX.sub.r in an e1 loop, wherein X is a negatively charged amino acid residue, Z is a positively charged amino acid residue, and p, q N and r are each independently an integer from 1 to 12, and wherein a sugar is attached to a Z residue. The protein may comprise a first and a second copy of HBcAg in tandem, wherein one or both copies of HBcAg has a sugar attached to the e1 loop. The first copy may have a sugar attached to the e1 loop and the second copy may comprise a peptide epitope in the e1 loop. The protein may be used to induce an immune response against the sugar and hence act as a vaccine.