Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/164—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from bacteria
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/12—Viral antigens
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/12—Viral antigens
  • A61K39/145—Orthomyxoviridae, e.g. influenza virus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K39/385—Haptens or antigens, bound to carriers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
  • A61P31/12—Antivirals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P37/00—Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
  • A61P37/02—Immunomodulators
  • A61P37/04—Immunostimulants
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/545—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the dose, timing or administration schedule
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/55—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the host/recipient, e.g. newborn with maternal antibodies
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/555—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by a specific combination antigen/adjuvant
  • A61K2039/55511—Organic adjuvants
  • A61K2039/55516—Proteins; Peptides
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
  • A61K2039/60—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characteristics by the carrier linked to the antigen
  • A61K2039/6031—Proteins
  • A61K2039/6068—Other bacterial proteins, e.g. OMP
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N2760/00—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA ssRNA viruses negative-sense
  • C12N2760/00011—Details
  • C12N2760/16011—Orthomyxoviridae
  • C12N2760/16034—Use of virus or viral component as vaccine, e.g. live-attenuated or inactivated virus, VLP, viral protein

Definitions

• the elderly are a difficult population for influenza vaccination. While increasing the amount of vaccine administered provides some benefit, it is not a proportional increase. Adjuvants may also help increase immunogenicity but they also increase the possibility of adverse reactions. Thus, there has been limited improvement in boosting the immune response in elderly to influenza by increasing the amount of HA administered. There is still a need for improved vaccine formulations for the elderly which provide increased immunity for the elderly.
• the invention is generally directed to methods of stimulating immune responses in older and elderly humans.
• the present invention includes compositions and methods of stimulating an immune response in a human, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition comprising at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one antigen, wherein the composition is administered to the human in a dose sufficient to provoke an immune response where the human is an elderly human, that is a human who is older than 49 years of age.
• the compositions are administered to humans who are older than 55 years of age, or older than 60 years of age or older than 65 years of age or older than 70 years of age or older than 75 years of age or older than 80 years of age.
• the present invention also relates to compositions and methods of stimulating an immune response in an elderly human population, comprising the step of administering to the human population a composition that includes a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one antigen, wherein seroconversion rate is at least 50% or at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 99%
• the present invention also relates to compositions and methods of stimulating an immune response in an elderly human population, comprising the step of administering to the human population a composition that includes a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one antigen, wherein the seroresponse rate is at Ieast50% or at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% or at least 95% or at least 99%
• FIG. 2A and B Graphic representation of peak GM HAI response measured 14 days after vaccination with VAX125 among subjects ⁇ 65 years old ( Figure 2A).
• GM HAI titers measured from day 0 to 28 after a single dose of VAX125 ranging from 0.5 to 8 ug among subjects > 65 years old ( Figure 2B)
• FIG 9 Amino acid sequence for Vax 128C (HL186 STF2.HA1-2 CA7 (CA07 H1N1))
• Figure 10 Comparison of immune response by dose among 112 subjects 18-49 years old and 100 subjects > 65 years old who received a single IM dose of VAX128 (CA07). Note: responses to VAX128A-C have been pooled
• the invention is a method of stimulating an immune response in a human, comprising the step of administering to the human a composition comprising at least one portion of at least one antigen and at least one portion of at least one flagellin, wherein the composition is administered to a human that is at least 49 years old.
• Administration of the composition to the human can provide protective immunity against an infection consequent to exposure of the human to a source of the antigen.
• compositions of the present invention comprise at least a portion of at least one flagellin and at least a portion of at least one antigen.
• the flagellin and the antigen may be associated in different ways.
• the flagellin and the antigen may be part of a fusion protein in which the flagellin portion is associated with the antigen by constructing a DNA or RNA sequence that when expressed produces a protein containing both flagellin and antigen portions as part of a protein.
• the flagellin portion and antigen portion can be associated in other ways, for example each of these portions may be associated with a particle or a carrier where both the flagellin portion and the antigen portion, including but not limited to proteins, lipoproteins, carbohydrates, polysaccharides and/or lipids, may be attached to the carrier or particle.
• the particle or carrier can be any vehicle by which the flagellin portion and the antigen portion can be associated such that when introduced to a human an immune response is generated.
• Particle formulations may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to lipids, proteins, waxes or amino acids, polysaccharides, polyacrylic substances or organic acids.
• These nanoparticles are comprised of aggregates of a continuous peptidic chain comprising two oligomerization domains connected by a linker segment wherein one or both oligomerization domains incorporate T-cell epitopes and/or B-cell epitopes within their peptide sequence.
• Antigens that can be used in combination with flagellin in the compositions and methods of the present invention are any antigen that will provoke an immune response in a human.
• Antigens used in the compositions of the present invention include viral antigens such as influenza viral antigens (e.g. hemagglutinin (HA) protein, matrix 2 (M2) protein, neuraminidase), respiratory synctial virus (RSV) antigens (e.g.
• influenza viral antigens e.g. hemagglutinin (HA) protein, matrix 2 (M2) protein, neuraminidase
• RSV respiratory synctial virus
• fusion protein, attachment glycoprotein e.g. human papilloma virus (HPV), such as an E6 protein, E7 protein, LI protein and L2 protein), Herpes Simplex, rabies virus and flavivirus viral antigens (e.g. Dengue viral antigens, West Nile viral antigens), hepatitis viral antigens including antigens from HBV and HC.
• papillomaviral e.g. human papilloma virus (HPV), such as an E6 protein, E7 protein, LI protein and L2 protein
• Herpes Simplex e.g. Dengue viral antigens, West Nile viral antigens
• rabies virus and flavivirus viral antigens e.g. Dengue viral antigens, West Nile viral antigens
• hepatitis viral antigens including antigens from HBV and HC.
• Antigens used in the compositions of the present invention include fungal antigens including those from Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Crytococcus neoformans, Coccidiodes spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, Pneumocystis carinii, Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae.
• the ratio of flagellin to antigen in the compositions of the present invention may be from about
• the ratio of flagellin to antigen may be from about 1:20 to about 20:1.
• the ratio of flagellin to influenza antigen is from about 1:20 to about 1:5.
• the ratio of flagellin to influenza antigen may be from 5: 1 to 1:5.
• the compositions of the present invention may include one or more types of flagellin associated with one or more type of antigens. With respect to particle carriers several different flagellin may be associated with one or more antigens which may be on the same or different particles.
• VAX125 also known as STF2.HA1(SI) is a recombinant fusion protein that consists of Salmonella typhimurium flagellin type 2 (STF2), a TLR5 ligand, fused at its C-terminus to the globular head (amino acids 62-284) of the HAl domain of the HA of influenza A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (HlNl) and has a molecular mass of 77,539 kDa.
• STF2 Salmonella typhimurium flagellin type 2
• TLR5 ligand fused at its C-terminus to the globular head (amino acids 62-284) of the HAl domain of the HA of influenza A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (HlNl) and has a molecular mass of 77,539 kDa.
• VAX128A also known as HL184 STF2.HA1-2 CA7
• STF2 Salmonella typhimurium flagellin type 2
• TLR5 ligand fused at its C-terminus to the globular head of the HAl domain of the HA of Influenza A/California/07/2009 (H lNl) a pandemic strain of influenza.
• STF2 Salmonella typhimurium flagellin type 2
• TLR5 ligand fused at its C-terminus to the globular head of the HAl domain of the HA of Influenza A/California/07/2009 (H lNl) a pandemic strain of influenza.
• STF2 Salmonella typhimurium flagellin type 2
• SEQ ID 3 amino acid sequences of VAX 128A are shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively.
• VAX128C also known as HL186 STF.2.HA1-2 CA 7 is a R32x fusion wherein the D3 domain of the flagellin has been removed and replaced with the globular head of the HAl domain of the HA of Influenza A/California/07/2009 (HlNl) and the C-terminus of this flagellin is fused to the globular head of the HAl domain of the HA of Influenza A/California/07/2009 (HlNl).
• the fusion protein contains two copies of the HA antigen per flagellin unit.
• the nucleotide (SEQ ID 6) and amino acid (SEQ ID 7) sequences of VAX 128B are shown in Figures 8 and 9, respectively.
• VAX128C there are two copies of the HA globular head and the proportion of HA in the vaccine composition increases to 54% from 33% in the VAX128A construct.
• the dosage refers to the amount of protein present in the vaccine given to the human.
• Some of the protein quantity relates to the antigen and some of the protein quantity relates to the flagellin.
• the HAl antigen comprises about 33% of the molecular weight of the construct.
• VAX128C there are two copies of the HA globular head and the proportion of HA in the vaccine increases to 54% from 33% in the VAX128A construct.
• antigens other than HA it may be more useful to characterize the amount of the dosage by the amount of antigen, especially of the antigen is of a non-proteinaceous origin.
• the flagellin/antigen compositions of the present invention provide superior properties to the prior art compositions in treatment of the elderly.
• the dosage will depend on the type of particle used and the ratio of flagellin to antigen present in the composition. With respect to compositions in which flagellin and the antigen are present in ratios other than 1:1 the dosage will depend on the ratio of components. With respect to antigens other than influenza antigens the dosage will depend on the antigen used and the ratio of flagellin to the antigen.
• One of skill in the art may readily be able to determine the optimal dosing of the flagellin compositions based on the carrier, antigen and ratio of flagellin to antigen.
• the antigen component of the fusion protein compositions of the present invention are preferably influenza antigens (influenza A, influenza B, influenza C antigen).
• influenza antigens influenza A, influenza B, influenza C antigen.
• the compositions at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hemagglutinin influenza antigen (e.g., the fusion protein includes SEQ ID NO. 1 ( Figure 1)), a matrix 2 (M2, such as an extodomain of M2, also referred to as " 2e”) or a neuraminidase influenza antigen.
• the influenza antigen can include an HlNl influenza antigen.
• the antigen is fused to a flagellin molecule sequence such as described in WO 2009/128950 which is herein incorporated by reference.
• compositions of the present invention are more immunogenic and less reactogenic than prior art vaccines.
• the human to be treated with the compositions and methods of the present invention is between 49 years old and about 64 years old. In another embodiment, the human may be older than 64 years old. In certain embodiments the compositions are administered to humans who are older than 55 years of age, or older than 60 years of age or older than 65 years of age or older than 70 years of age or older than 75 years of age or older than 80 years of age.
• the dose of compositions of the present invention may be selected to optimize the effects in the elderly while seeking to reduce any untoward side-effect.
• the does may be selected to optimize the immunogenic response while attempting to keep reactogenicity low.
• At least one dose selected from the group consisting of a O. ⁇ g, O ⁇ g, lug dose, 2 ⁇ g dose, 3 ⁇ g dose, ⁇ dose, 5 ⁇ g dose, 6 ⁇ dose, 7 g dose, 8 ⁇ g dose, 9 ⁇ g dose, 10 ⁇ g dose, 15 ⁇ g dose, 20 ⁇ g dose, 25 ⁇ g dose and a 30 ⁇ g dose may be sufficient to induce an immune response in elderly humans.
• the dose of the fusion protein may be administered to the human within a range of doses including from about O. ⁇ g to about 500 ⁇ g, ⁇ g to about 100 ⁇ g, ⁇ g to about 50 ⁇ , from about ⁇ g to about 30 ⁇ g from about ⁇ g to about 25 g, from about ⁇ g to about 20 ⁇ g, from about ⁇ to about ⁇ g, from about ⁇ g to about 10 ⁇ g, from about 2 ⁇ g to about 50 ⁇ g, 2 g to about 30 ⁇ g, from about 2 ⁇ g to about 20 ⁇ g, from about 2 ⁇ g to about 10 ⁇ , from about 2 ⁇ g to about 8 ⁇ g, from about 3 ⁇ to about 50 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4, 3 ⁇ g to about 30 ⁇ , from about 3 g to about 20 ⁇ g, from about 3 ⁇ to about 10 ⁇ g, from about 3 g to about 8 ⁇ g, from about 3 ⁇ g to about 5 g, from
• the composition can be administered intramuscularly to the human in a single or in multiple doses.
• the method can further include the step of
• the immunogenic compositions for use according to the present invention may be delivered as a standard 0.5 ml injectable dose and contain from about O.l ig to about 50 of antigen.
• a preferred embodiment of the immunogenic compositions for use according to the present invention is a standard 0.5 ml injectable dose and contains from about 3 g to about 20 ⁇ g of antigen.
• the vaccine volume may be between 0.25 and 1.0 ml, suitably between 0.5 ml and 1.0 ml, in particular a standard 0.5ml.
• a vaccine dose according to the present invention may be provided in a smaller volume than conventional dosing.
• Low volume doses according to the present invention are suitably below 0.5ml, typically below 0.3ml and usually not less than 0.1 ml.
• compositions, method or use as claimed herein wherein the immune response produced by administration of the composition in a human population where the humans are about 49 years old to about 64 years old or where the humans are older than 55 years of age, or older than 60 years of age or older than 65 years of age or older than 70 years of age or older than 75 years of age or older than 80 years of age and has a seroconversion rate of greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 65% greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than 85%, greater than 90%, greater than 95% or greater than 99%.
• compositions, method or use as claimed herein wherein the immune response produced by administration of the composition in a human population where the humans are about 49 years old to about 64 years old or where the humans are older than 55 years of age, or older than 60 years of age or older than 65 years of age or older than 70 years of age or older than 75 years of age or older than 80 years of age and has a seroprotection rate of greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 65%, greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than 85%, greater than 90%, greater than 95% or greater than 99%.
• Seroresponsive means an increase in HAI antibody titer of at least fourfold with a minimum post vaccination titer of 40.
• Seroprotection means achievement of minimum post vaccination HAI titer of 40 among subjects with prevaccination titers of ⁇ 40.
• Seroconversion rate for anti-HA antibody response is defined as the proportion of subjects in each group having protective post-vaccination titer > 1:40.
• the seroprotection rate is the percentage of subjects who have an HAI titer before vaccination of ⁇ 1:10 and > 1:40 after vaccination. However, if the initial titer is > 1:10 then there needs to be at least a fourfold increase in the amount of antibody after vaccination.
• compositions, method or use as claimed herein wherein the immune response produced by administration of the compositions of the present invention induces functional (HAI) antibodies in the majority of elderly recipients in a dose dependent fashion.
• the composition will induce a neutralizing antibody response of greater than a titer about 50 after 7 days or after 14 days or after 28 days.
• the composition will induce a neutralizing antibody response of greater than about a titer of 100 after 7 days or after 14 days or after 28 days.
• the composition will induce a neutralizing antibody response of greater than a titer of about 150 after 7 days or after 14 days or after 28 days.
• the composition will induce a neutralizing antibody response of greater than about 200 after 7 days or after 14 days or after 28 days.
• a composition, method or use as claimed herein wherein the immune response produced by administration of the composition in an elderly population meets or exceeds one of the following criteria: a seroconversion rate of greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95% or greater than 99%. a seroprotection rate of greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95% or greater than 99%. an average of four-fold or greater increase in neutralizing antibody titer at post vaccination.
• an "effective amount" when referring to the amount of a composition and a fusion protein administered to the human refers to that amount or dose of the composition that, when administered to the subject is an amount sufficient for therapeutic efficacy (e.g., an amount sufficient to stimulate an immune response in a subject, an amount sufficient to provide protective immunity in the subject).
• the methods of the present invention can be accomplished by the administration of the compositions and fusion proteins of the invention by enteral or parenteral means. Specifically, the route of administration is by intramuscular injection of the composition and fusion protein. Other routes of administration are also encompassed by the present invention including intravenous, intradermal, interaarterial, interperitoneal, intranasal, transdermal, suppositories or subcutaneous routes.
• Such preparations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, coloring and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously react with the compositions administered to the human.
• auxiliary agents such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, coloring and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously react with the compositions administered to the human.
• Preferred diluents for diluting the vaccines of the present invention include but are not limited to 150mM NaCI with histidine and trehalose.
• compositions, fusion proteins and proteins of the invention can be administered to a subject on a support that presents the compositions, proteins and fusion proteins of the invention to the immune system of the subject to generate an immune response in the subject.
• the presentation of the compositions, proteins and fusion proteins of the invention would preferably include exposure of antigenic portions of the fusion protein to generate antibodies.
• the support is biocompatible. "Biocompatible" as used herein, means that the support does not generate an immune response in the subject (e.g., the production of antibodies).
• the dosage and frequency (single or multiple doses) administered to a subject can vary depending upon a variety of factors, including, for example, prior exposure to an infection consequent to exposure to the antigen: health, body weight, body mass index, and diet of the subject or health- related problems.
• compositions can be administered to the human in a single dose or in multiple doses, such as at least two doses.
• a second or third dose can be administered days (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), weeks (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), months (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) or years (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) after the initial dose.
• a second dose of the composition can be administered about 7 days, about 14 days or about 28 days following administration of a first dose of the composition that includes the fusion protein.
• Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
• the dose of fusion protein is made in reference to microgram doses.
• the invention is generally directed to methods of treating elderly populations of human to stimulate immune responses to antigens, in particular a protective immune response, employing relatively low doses of the antigenic composition that include the antigen. A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.
• Study materials were prepared by non-blinded pharmacists and provided to blinded clinical staff.
• Vaccine was administered at a final volume of 0.5 mL by deep intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle.
• Subjects were healthy as ascertained by medical history, screening physical examination and screening laboratory analysis.
• Subjects with active medical conditions, abnormal screening laboratory tests (CBC and differential, and AST and ALT), known allergies to vaccine components, influenza vaccination within the previous 6 months, or receipt of other vaccines within 30 days were excluded from participation.
• Vaccine was well tolerated in all dose groups (Table 6). No side effect was graded as severe (3) or life-threatening (4) and there were serious no adverse events. Moderate arm pain was observed in about 20% of subjects of subjects who received a dose of 2 ⁇ g or greater. Systemic adverse events were usually mild and did not appear to be dose-depended.
• CRP C-reactive protein
• GM CRP day 1 1.0 2.0 2.2 3.4 4.7 4.0
• VAX125 was both safe and immunogenic at the dose range tested, but the elderly appear much less sensitive to the VAX125 in terms of immune and cytokine response.
• the peak GMT HAI titers in the 3 ⁇ g elderly group was 160 which was similar to the O. ⁇ g dose in young adults.
• the peak titers in the 0.3 and 0.5 ⁇ dose in the young adults were higher than the elderly (Table 8).
• the GM HAI titer after a single 0.5 xg dose of VAX125 was similar to the titer observed in the 5 ⁇ g dose in subjects over 65 years, suggesting that it requires nearly a 10-fold increase in dose to obtain the same titer in the elderly.
• Table 9 is a comparison of the mean and maximum CRP values for healthy subjects older than about 65 years old and subjects 18-49 years old. The geometric means do not vary until you reach the 3 g group where the mean is nearly double in the young adults. The upper 95% confidence limit and the maximum value are both less in the elderly. Table 9. Comparison of CRP in elderly and young adults after VAX125.
• VAX125 induces functional (HAI) antibodies in the majority of elderly recipients in a dose dependent fashion.
• the 5.0 and 8.0 ⁇ g doses elicited high HAI GMT (226 and 234, respectively) and high GMT fold response (12.6 and 7.7, respectively) values.
• the 5.0 ⁇ g dose was the most immunogenic.
• the 5.0 and 8.0 ⁇ g doses elicited high seroconversion rates (80% and 65%, respectively) and high seroprotection rates (95% and 100%, respectively).
• the peak GMT values in healthy adults ⁇ 65 were similar to those observed with 0.5 ⁇ dose in young adults. This suggests that a high dose formulation is required for the elderly.
• the ability to produce a high dose influenza vaccine in E. coli for the elderly is unique to this product.
• E. coli clones producing each of the three vaccine candidates Vax 128A, Vax 128B and Vax 128C were produced in a similar manner, but with differences in plasmid preparation specific to each construct. Plasmids encoding for STF2.HA1 (CA07) and STF2R3.HA1 (CA07) were mutated from plasmids encoding for STF2.HA1 (CA04) and STF2R3.HA1 (CA04). The plasmid encoding for STF2R3.2xHAl (CA07) was produced from the STF2.HA1 (CA07) and STF2R3.HA1 (CA07) plasmids. Details of the plasmid construction and clone selection follow. A plasmid map for the vaccine candidates is shown in Figure 3. Plasmid Construction for Vax 128A (STF2. HAl (CA07))
• a multi step PCR procedure was performed to produce the plasmid encoding for STF2.HA1 (CA07).
• a plasmid encoding for STF2.HA1 (CA04) was initially produced, and then mutated to code for STF2.HA1 (CA07).
• DNA encoding STF2 was fused with DNA encoding the HAl globular head domain of the (CA04) HA protein.
• DNA encoding STF2 was amplified from the pET24a-STF2.HAl FL plasmid.
• DNA encoding the HA globular head protein was synthesized by an outside vendor (DNA 2.0, Menlo Park, CA) and amplified by PCR.
• STF2.HA1 As with STF2.HA1 (CA07), a plasmid encoding for STF2R3.HA1 CA4 was initially produced and then mutated to code for STF2R3.HA1 (CA07).
• STF2R3.HA1 (CA04)
• DNA encoding portions of the N and C terminal sections of STF2 was fused with DNA encoding the HAl globular head domain of the CA4 HA protein. This has the effect of replacing the D3 domain of STF2 with HA1-2 (CA04) in the fusion protein.
• DNA encoding for the portions of the N and C terminal sections of STF2 was PCR amplified from the pET24a-STF2.HAl (CA04) plasmid.
• DNA encoding for HAl was PCR amplified from the same plasmid.
• Gel purified STF2 and HA1 (CA04) fragments were fused, and the final PCR product was digested with restriction enzymes Ndel and EcoRI and ligated to the pET24a plasmid. Since there is only one residue difference between the HA portion of STF2R3.HA1 (CA04) and STF2R3.HA1 (CA07), STF2R3.HA1 (CA07) was made by site-directed mutagenesis of STF2R3.HA1 (CA04). The recombinant DNA sequence was confirmed by an outside vendor (Genewiz Inc.).
• the plasmid encoding for STF2R3.2xHAl was made from a fusion of the DNA from the STF2R3.HA1 (CA07) plasmid and the STF2.HA1 (CA07) plasmid. Both plasmids were digested separately with Ndel and Mfel enzymes. Specific fragments of the STF2R3.HA1 (CA07) (as insert) and STF2.HA1 (CA07) (as vector) were gel purified and ligated to form a complete DNA sequence encoding for STF2R3.2xHAl (CA07). The common restriction site is in the C terminal section of STF2. The recombinant DNA sequence was confirmed by an outside vendor (Genewiz Inc.).
• E. coli BLR(DE3) cells Novagen, Cat. No. 69053.
• E. coli BLR(DE3) cells from Novagen are a recA derivative of a BL21 strain of E. coli that improves plasmid monomer yield and may help to stabilize included plasmids.
• the cells are Ion and ompT protease deficient, and are lysogenic for lambda prophage that contains an IPTG inducible T7 RNA polymerase.
• the resulting BLR(DE3) clones were used to produce a research cell bank for each vaccine candidate.
• a selected clone was grown in LB media, supplemented with 0.5% Glucose, and 25 g/mL kanamycin. Cells were frozen in 1 mL cryovials at -60 to -80 °C following the addition of glycerol to 7% final concentration.
• proteins corresponding to the expected molecular weights of the vaccine candidates were easily visualized by Coomassie Blue staining and by Western blot analyses using an anti-flagellin monoclonal antibody.
• constructs described below are all comprised of combinations of Salmonella typhimurium fljB flagellin (STF2) and a portion of the globular head domain of the protective hemagglutinin antigen from the novel H1N1 emerging in 2009 (A/California 07/2009).
• STF2 Salmonella typhimurium fljB flagellin
• a pET24a plasmid encoding production of STF2.HA1-2 CA07 is used to transform commercially available E. coli BLR(DE3) cells. These cells are expanded to manufacture both research and cG P master cell banks.
• E. coli BLR(DE3) cells These cells are expanded to manufacture both research and cG P master cell banks.
• target protein production was initiated in the culture by addition of IPTG to a concentration of 2 mM.
• the cells were harvested four hours after induction and the cell paste separated from the conditioned media by centrifugation. After freezing and thawing, the cells were re-suspended in a Tris acetate buffer and lysed by high pressure homogenization. The lysate supernatant was collected after centrifugation. Proteins were precipitated using 14% PEG, and then re-suspended in 6M urea at pH 4. After adjusting the solution pH to 8, the buffer was exchanged into a Tris/acetate buffer by TFF.
• Triton X-114 and PEG were added and the resulting solution separated into detergent and aqueous phases by centrifugation. The aqueous phase was retained and filtered. Proteins were denatured by addition of urea and diluted to a concentration of 2 grams per liter protein in a 6 molar urea solution at pH 8. Target protein was refolded in batch mode by a ten-fold dilution into a refolding buffer.
• Initial purification of active, monomeric vaccine was performed by bind and elute anion exchange chromatography, with target protein and impurity elution effected by increasing salt concentration in a step-wise fashion.
• monomeric vaccine was further purified by utilizing a hydroxyapatite (CHT) chromatography media in binding mode. Elution of impurities and target protein was effected by increasing phosphate concentration in steps. After filtration, the material was buffer-exchanged into a formulation buffer by TFF and dilution, filtered, aliquoted, and stored at - 70C. The resulting bulk drug substance was diluted to the target drug product concentration in the same formulation buffer and stored at -70C prior to administration.
• CHT hydroxyapatite
• target protein production was initiated in the culture by addition of IPTG to a concentration of 2 mM.
• the cells were harvested four hours after induction and the cell paste separated from the conditioned media by centrifugation. After freezing and thawing, the cells were re-suspended in a Tris acetate buffer and lysed by high pressure homogenization. The lysate pellet was collected after centrifugation, re- suspended in a phosphate buffer, and collected again by subsequent centrifugation. The pellet resuspension and collection process was repeated and the washed pellet was solubilized in a 6 urea buffer at pH 8. After mixing, solubilized proteins were recovered by centrifugation and diluted to 2 grams protein per liter of solution.
• the target protein was refolded into its proper conformation by rapidly diluting the denatured proteins into a nine fold excess of refolding buffer under flow.
• the denatured protein solution and refolding buffer were mixed in line at a 1 to 9 flow rate ratio, held for an average of 30 minutes before loading on an anion exchange chromatography column.
• Active, monomeric vaccine was bound to the AEX media with target protein and impurity elution effected by increasing salt concentration in steps. After filtration, the anion exchange elution was diluted 10% with water and loaded onto a different anion exchange chromatography column for further purification. Elution of impurities and target protein was effected by increasing Tris/acetate concentration in steps.
• the material was buffer-exchanged into a formulation buffer by TFF and dilution, filtered, aliquoted, and stored at -70C.
• the resulting bulk drug substance was diluted to the target drug product concentration in the same formulation buffer and stored at -70C prior to administration.
• target protein production was initiated in the culture by addition of IPTG to a concentration of 2 m .
• the cells were harvested four hours after induction and the cell paste separated from the conditioned media by centrifugation. After freezing and thawing, the cells were re-suspended in a Tris/acetate buffer and lysed by high pressure homogenization. The lysate pellet was collected after centrifugation, re-suspended in a phosphate buffer, and collected again by subsequent centrifugation. The pellet re- suspension and collection process was repeated and the washed pellet was solubilized in a 6 urea buffer at pH 8. After mixing, solubilized proteins were recovered by centrifugation and diluted to 2 grams protein per liter of solution.
• Target protein was refolded in batch mode by a ten-fold dilution into a refolding buffer.
• Initial purification of active, monomeric vaccine was performed by bind and elute anion exchange chromatography, with impurity and target protein elution effected by increasing salt concentration in steps.
• After filtration and pH adjustment of the AEX eluate to 6.8, active, monomeric vaccine was further purified by utilizing a hydroxyapatite (CHT) chromatography media in binding mode. Elution of impurities and target protein was effected by increasing phosphate concentration in a stepwise fashion.
• the material was buffer exchanged into a formulation buffer by TFF and dilution, filtered, aliquoted, and stored at -70C.
• the resulting bulk drug substance was diluted to the target drug product concentration in the same formulation buffer and stored at -70C prior to administration.
• VAX128 A, B, and C H1N1 influenza vaccine constructs were comprised of the globular head of the HA1 domain of the A/Califomia/07, Novel H1N1 (VAX128) genetically fused to the TLR5 ligand, flagellin, and produced in E. coli.
• Vaccine was supplied in glass vials at either 20 ⁇ g/mL or 2 ⁇ g/mL, and diluted in dilution buffer (150mM NaCI with histidine and trehalose) to the final concentration on the day of administration. Study materials were prepared by non-blinded pharmacists and provided to blinded clinical staff. Vaccine was administered at a final volume of 0.5 mL by deep intramuscular injection in the deltoid muscle.
• 116 healthy adult subjects 18-49 and 100 healthy adults ⁇ 65 years old were enrolled in a double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial conducted at two centers.
• Subjects received one of the 3 VAX128 vaccine constructs or placebo in a dose escalation study in a ratio of 3:3:3:1.
• Vaccines were administered IM at doses ranging from 0.5-20 ⁇ g.
• Subjects were followed for safety and sera were tested by hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) against egg-grown virus on days 0, 7, 14, and 28.
• HAI hemagglutination-inhibition
• CRP Serum C-reactive protein
• cytokine levels cytokine levels
• VAX128A VAX128B
• VAX128C 1 Placebo
• WBC increase 0 1(8) 0 0 0 2(17) 0 2(17) 0 0
• IL-6 increase 0 0 0 0 3(17) 3(25) 1(6) 0 0 0 0
• IL-6 increase 0 0 1(6) 1(8) 0 0 0 Table 15a GMT HAI titers, seroconversion (SC) and seroprotection (SP) rates among 112 subjects 18-49 years old who received a single IM dose of VAX128 (CA07) construct A, B or C (construct groups combined).
• any indication that a feature is optional is intended provide adequate support (e.g., under 35 U.S.C. 112 or Art. 83 and 84 of EPC) for claims that include closed or exclusive or negative language with reference to the optional feature.
• Exclusive language specifically excludes the particular recited feature from including any additional subject matter. For example, if it is indicated that A can be drug X, such language is intended to provide support for a claim that explicitly specifies that A consists of X alone, or that A does not include any other drugs besides X. "Negative" language explicitly excludes the optional feature itself from the scope of the claims. For example, if it is indicated that element A can include X, such language is intended to provide support for a claim that explicitly specifies that A does not include X.
• Non-limiting examples of exclusive or negative terms include “only,” “solely,” “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” “alone,” “without”, “in the absence of (e.g., other items of the same type, structure and/or function)” “excluding,” “not including”, “not", “cannot,” or any combination and/or variation of such language.
• a dog is intended to include support for one dog, no more than one dog, at least one dog, a plurality of dogs, etc.
• qualifying terms that indicate singularity include “a single”, “one,” “alone”, “only one,” “not more than one”, etc.
• qualifying terms that indicate (potential or actual) plurality include “at least one,” “one or more,” “more than one,” “two or more,” “a multiplicity,” “a plurality,” “any combination of,” “any permutation of,” “any one or more of,” etc.

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