Patent Evaluation: Self Assembling Replication Defective Hybrid Virus Particles

Summary

Novelty: Novel hybrid virus particles are disclosed. They comprise assembled capsid polypeptides from one viral species, surrounded by envelope glycoproteins from another viral species. These particles are potentially useful vaccines against viral infections such as HIV.

Biology: In vivo rodent immunogenicity of pseudotyped virus-like particles is described. Titres (defined as the reciprocal of the dilution which achieves 50% of the maximum value for the positive control) were found to be in the range 10–1920.

Chemistry: The particles were produced using recombinant DNA viruses. Preparative details using standard recombinant techniques are presented.