Vaccines containing a saponin and a sterol
US6846489B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N2740/13034
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A novel adjuvant composition comprising a sterol (e.g., cholesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, and ergocalciferol) and saponin fraction (e.g., QS21, also known as QA21) in the form of an immunostimulating complex, or ISCOM, is disclosed. QS21 is an immunologically active saponin fraction having adjuvant activity derived from the bark of Quillaja Saponaria Molina. Previous attempts in the prior art to prepare ISCOMs comprising QS21 were unsuccessful. Thus, the instant application discloses the first successful attempt to prepare ISCOMs comprising purified QS21. Small unilamelar liposomes containing cholesterol, in the absence of any detergent, were prepared, followed by the addition of an aqueous solution of QS21. The claimed compositions will prove useful in the preparation of highly immunogenic vaccine compositions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.