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HIV LI-KEY/PEPTIDE VACCINE

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Health and Human Services 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
60453 		Program Year/Program:
2002 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
AI051023 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ANTIGEN EXPRESS, INC.
ANTIGEN EXPRESS, INC. 100 BARBER AVE WORCESTER, MA 01606
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2002
Title: HIV LI-KEY/PEPTIDE VACCINE
Agency: HHS
Contract: 1R43AI051023-01
Award Amount: $301,761.00
 

Abstract:

Antigen Express scientists have discovered that a segment of the Ii protein called Ii-Key, which acts at an allosteric site on one end of the antigenic peptide binding site on MHC Class II molecules, greatly enhances the binding of a tethered epitope. Linkage of such Ii-Key with a MHC class II-restricted epitope in a hybrid enhances the potency of presentation of the epitope >200 times, in vitro with murine and human assays, inducing a TH1 pattern of cytokine release. We propose to test such compounds with HIV MHC class II-restricted epitopes to expand CD4+ immunity and memory toward enhancing efficacy of HIV CTL peptide vaccines, the safest approach to HIV vaccination. We will: 1) design and synthesize several Ii-Key/HIV class II epitope hybrids according to our established methods; 2) test in mice the potencies of these hybrids in terms of T helper cell proliferation and the induction of neutralizing antibody against class II-restricted HIV epitope; and 3) design and synthesize an Ii-Key/class II epitope/CTL epitope double hybrid according to the data of 2); and then test the vaccine efficacy of this double hybrid in CTL induction. Our experiments will lead to a very potent HIV peptide vaccine. In a Phase II program the efficacy of such hybrids will be tested in higher primates and man.

Principal Investigator:

Minzhen Xu
5088528783
ANTIGENEXP@AOL.COM

Business Contact:

Robert Humphreuys
5088528801
ANTIGENEXP@AOL.COM
Small Business Information at Submission:

ANTIGEN EXPRESS, INC.
ANTIGEN EXPRESS, INC. 100 BARBER AVE WORCESTER, MA 01606

EIN/Tax ID: 043208418
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees: N/A
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No