Patent Report This section provides information on worldwide patents relevant to vaccine design and production. The Patent Report gives the following information: title of patent, patentee, patent number, publication date and summary of the patent. A number of patents in this report are reproduced from 'Biotechnology Abstracts' with permission of Derwent Publications Ltd., Rochdale House, 128 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8RD.

Nucleic acid and proteins of adenovirus type 41 ; DNA sequence, protein sequence, vector, monoclonai antibody; recombinant protein application in recombinant vaccine and diagnosis Res. Corp. Technol. World 9108 310; 13 June 1991

An isolated nucleic acid sequence (I) is claimed which encodes human adenovirus type 41 (Ad41) Tak long fiber protein, short fiber protein, E3 EL-1 protein, E3 RL-2 protein, E3 RL-3 protein, E3 RL-4 protein, E3 RL-5 protein or E3 RL-6 protein. The DNA sequences and protein sequences of the Ad41 proteins are disclosed. Recombinant DNA sequences encoding Ad41 long fiber protein sequence (EMBL X16583 ), short fiber protein sequence (EMBL X17016) and E3 RL-1 to RL-6 (GenBank M33160) are specifically claimed. Also claimed are: (a) a replicable expression vector containing (I) operably linked to a nucleotide sequence capable of effecting expression of the encoded protein; (b) a recombinant protein of human enteric Ad41 selected from long or short fiber protein and RL1 to RL-6; (c) polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific to the tail, shaft or knob region of the Ad41 long or short fiber protein, or RL-1 to RL-6 proteins ; and (d) a host cell transformed with (I). The Ad41 proteins can be used in a vaccine, optionally mixed with inactivated Ad41, and for detection or diagnosis of human Ad41 or 40 infection. 001-92

Post-transfusional non-A non-B hepatitis virus polypeptide; DNA sequence; DNA probe; gene cloning and vector expression in host cell; monoclonal antibody; recombinant vaccine Wellcome UK 2239 245; 26 June 1991

A post-transfusional non-A non-B hepatitis (PT-NANBH) virus polypeptide comprising an antigen having an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% (preferably at least 98%) homologous to a specified protein sequence, or an antigen fragment, is claimed. The following are also claimed: a PT-NANBH virus polypeptide comprising an antigen from the structural coding region of the virus genome and an antigen from the non-structural coding region; a DNA sequence encoding the PT-NANBH virus polypeptide; an expression vector containing the new sequence capable of expressing and producing the PT-NANBH polypeptide in an appropriate host ; a host cell transformed with the expression vector; a monoclonal antibody against the PT-NANBH virus poly- peptide; and a vaccine comprising the PT-NANBH polypeptide. The PT-NANBH virus polypeptide gene is cloned and the vector is used to transform bacterial (Escherichia coli), yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), mammal (CHO) and insect (Spodoptera frugiperda) cells. The virus polypeptide can also be used for detection of PT-NANBH infection. 002-92

New infectious mononucleosis peptide; useful for herpes virus- related disease diagnosis and therapy, and vaccine production Queensland. Inst. Med. Res. World 9108 224; 13 June 1991

A peptide is claimed which comprises a sequence which includes at least one segment of an antigen recognized by Epstein-Barr

virus (EBV)-specific antibodies raised during infectious mono- nucleosis (IM) or a related disease. The preferred sequences for these segments include NSPKNG, KNGSNQ, SNQLVI, AHARDK, RDKAGA, VMAMIL, SEPRPR and PSRTPS, and their combinations. Preferred peptides are NSPKNGSNQ- AHARDKSEPRPR, NSPKNGSNQRDKAGASEPRPR, NSPKNGSNQSEPRPRKNGSNQ, NSPKNGSNQLVISEP- RPRPSRTPS, NSPKNGSNQLVIPSRTPS and NSPKNGSN- QAHARDKAGASEPRPR. By noting within the EBV open reading frame (ORF) transcribed late in the viral cycle for which a translation product may or may not have been established, and synthesizing (by chemical or recombinant DNA methods) one or more polypeptides each of which includes at least one segment, each segment comprising at least part of the protein sequence identified in that ORF, a specific and reliable diagnostic test for, and treatment of, IM and related diseases is possible. The peptides can also be used in a vaccine for inducing antibodies effective against infection by EBV.

003-92

Influenza virus recombinant hemagglutinin preparation; Bombyx mori nuclear-polyhedrosis virus vector expression in silkworm cell culture or insect larva; potential recombinant vaccine Kokuritsu Yobo Eisei Res. Inst.; Daiichi-Pharm. Jpn 3108 480; 8 May 1991

A recombinant Bombyx mori nuclear-polyhedrosis virus (Bm- NPV) containing the influenza virus hemagglutinin gene in the region encoding the Bm-NPV polyhedrosis protein structure is claimed. Preparation of the hemagglutinin protein, in which the recombinant Bm-NPV is cultured in a silkworm cell culture or in the body of a silkworm, is also claimed. The recombinant protein induces the production of antibodies, and can be used as a recombinant vaccine. In an example, plasmid pBM050 was prepared from plasmid pBmE36 and plasmis pBm030. Recombinant Bm-NPVs, vBm-BMHA1-B4 and vBm-BMHA1- G4, were prepared from plasmid pEH-HA1. A silkworm cell culture was infected using the recombinant virus, and recom- binant hemagglutinin was expressed in the culture. Recombinant hemagglutinin was also isolated from the body of a silkworm infected with the recombinant virus. Immunogenicity of the recombinant hemagglutinins was tested. 004-92

New fusion protein application as recombinant vaccine against dental caries; comprises Streptococcus mutans antigen epitope and cholera toxin beta-suhunit; gene cloning; vector plasmid pVAI782, plasmid pVAI542, plasmid pVAI543, plasmid pVA1544 Center-Innovative Technol. World 9107 979; 13 June 1991

A fusion protein (I) comprising an epitope region of the desired antigen (e.g. of Streptococcus mutans) fused to the N-terminal of the cholera toxin beta-subunit is claimed. The following are also claimed: a vaccine comprising (I); a substantially pure DNA sequence encoding (I); a vector (preferably plasmid pVA1782, plasmid pVA1542, plasmid pVA1543 and plasmid pVA1544) containing the new DNA capable of expression in a host organism; a host organism transfected with the vector; and a recombinant DNA-mediated method for production of the new fusion protein involving construction of DNA encoding the fusion protein, cloning, expressing in a host microorganism, and isolating from the culture supernatant of the transformant. The epitope comprises less than I00, preferably about 15-20, amino acids, and is preferably derived from the glucosyltrans- ferase-B protein. The epitope comprises the preferred sequence

0264-410)(/92/010067-02 © 1992 Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd Vaccine, Vol. 10, Issue 1, 1992 67