Abstract: The present invention provides cells which have a high ability to propagate influenza virus, are suitable for use in production of an influenza virus for preparing a vaccine, and are able to be cultured in vitro, and a method for producing an influenza virus using the cells. That is, the present invention provides cells for producing an influenza virus in which expression of one or more genes that encode proteins involved in an effect of suppressing influenza virus production in a cell is suppressed and the gene is at least one selected from the group including ACTG1 gene and the like, and a method for producing an influenza virus that includes infecting the cells for producing an influenza virus with an influenza virus and then culturing.

Abstract: Modified influenza virus neuraminidases are described herein that improve viral replication, thus improving the yield of vaccine viruses. Expression of such modified neuraminidases by influenza virus may also stabilize co-expressed hemagglutinins so that the hemagglutinins do not undergo mutation or decrease the need for HA binding to cells.

Abstract: Modified influenza virus neuraminidases are described herein that have stabilized NA tetramers which may improve vaccine production efficiency, thus improving the yield of vaccine viruses.

Abstract: To address the need in the art, the inventors have comprehensively characterized the SARS-CoV-2-specific B cell repertoire in convalescent COVID-19 patients and generated mAbs against the spike, ORF8, and NP proteins. Together, the inventors' data reveal key insight into antigen specificity and B cell subset distribution upon SARS-CoV-2 infection in the context of age, sex, and disease severity. Aspects of the disclosure relate to novel antibody and antigen binding fragments. Further aspects relate to polypeptides comprising the antigen binding fragment(s) of the disclosure, and compositions comprising the polypeptides, antibodies, and/or antigen binding fragments of the disclosure. Also described are nucleic acids encoding an antibody or antigen binding fragment of the disclosure.

Abstract: A mammalian or avian cell line that expresses high levels of human influenza virus receptors is provided. In one embodiment, the cell line supports human influenza virus, e.g., human A/H3 influenza virus, isolation and growth much more effectively than corresponding conventional (unmodified) cells or in corresponding human virus receptor-overexpressing cells, and the propagated viruses may maintain higher genetic stability than in the corresponding cells.

Abstract: Modified influenza virus neuraminidases are described herein that improve viral replication, thus improving the yield of vaccine viruses. Expression of such modified neuraminidases by influenza virus may also stabilize co-expressed hemagglutinins so that the hemagglutinins do not undergo mutation or decrease the need for HA binding to cells.

Abstract: Methods of generating influenza B viruses that include a plurality of residues in HA that are specific for the Yamagata or Victoria lineage of influenza B viruses, and recombinant viruses having a plurality of residues in HA that are specific for the Yamagata lineage and for the Victoria lineage of influenza B viruses.

Abstract: An antibody against spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is provided, the antibody having a specific heavy chain variable region and a specific light chain variable region, or a fragment of the antibody, the antibody or fragment thereof inhibiting the binding between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, the antibody or fragment thereof inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection; and a pharmaceutical composition including the antibody or fragment thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the pharmaceutical composition including two or more kinds of the antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant biologically contained influenza virus that is a PB2 knockout virus, e.g., one that is useful to generate a multivalent vaccine, and methods of making and using that virus.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for an isolated recombinant influenza virus having at least one of: a PA gene segment encoding PA with a residue at position 443 that is not arginine, a PB1 gene segment encoding PB1 with a residue at position 737 that is not lysine, a PB2 gene segment encoding PB2 with a residue at position 25 that is not valine or a residue at position 712 that is not glutamic acid, a NS gene segment encoding a NS1 with a residue at position 167 that is not proline, a HA gene segment encoding a HA with a residue at position 380 that is not threonine, or any combination thereof, and methods of making and using the virus.

Abstract: A nanoparticle that displays a coronavirus spike protein or a portion thereof on its surface, and methods of making and using the nanoparticle, are provided.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical composition against coronavirus infection using the antibody. According to the present invention, an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds to the receptor-binding domain present in the spike protein of coronavirus and is capable of neutralizing the coronavirus, and a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus infection containing the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, are provided.

Abstract: Modified influenza virus neuraminidases are described herein that have stabilized NA tetramers which may improve vaccine production efficiency, thus improving the yield of vaccine viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for preventing and/or treating infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The present invention relates to a lipid particle encapsulating a nucleic acid molecule capable of expressing the S protein and/or a fragment thereof of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), wherein the lipid comprises a cationic lipid represented by general formula (Ia) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a C1-C3 alkyl group; L1 represents a C17-C19 alkenyl group which may have one or a plurality of C2-C4 alkanoyloxy groups; L2 represents a C10-C19 alkyl group which may have one or a plurality of C2-C4 alkanoyloxy groups or a C10-C19 alkenyl group which may have one or a plurality of C2-C4 alkanoyloxy groups; and p is 3 or 4.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an adjuvant having high safety to living bodies and an action to sufficiently reinforce immune function, and a vaccine comprising the adjuvant. Specifically, the present invention relates to 34 novel adjuvant candidate compounds, which have been identified by screening 145 food additives and 51 injection additives, using, as indicators, an increase in the antibody titer against influenza virus and a protective effect against infection with influenza virus, and then selecting those having the function of increasing the antiviral antibody titer in blood and the protective effect against viral infection. In addition, the present invention also relates to a vaccine comprising these adjuvant candidate compounds.

Abstract: Methods of preparing influenza viruses having altered immunodominant epitopes in HA, e.g., having one or more residues in one or more of antigenic sites A-E in HA altered, and viral vectors, e.g., influenza virus VLPs or non-influenza viruses or VLPs thereof expressing or having influenza HAs with altered immunogenicity as a result of altered immunodominant epitopes therein are provided.

Abstract: An isolated recombinant influenza virus is provided having PA, PB1, PB2, NP, NS, M, NA and HA viral segments, wherein the PB1 viral segment encodes a PB1 with a residue other than isoleucine at position 711 or the M viral segment encodes a M1 with a residue other than methionine at position 128, wherein the recombinant influenza virus has enhanced replication relative to a corresponding influenza virus having a PB1 viral segment that encodes a PB1 with an isoleucine at position 711 or having a M viral segment that encodes a M1 with methionine at position 128, as well as methods of making and using the virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitory agent of membrane fusion between a virus envelope and a cell membrane of a host cell for the virus, wherein the inhibitory agent comprises a serine protease inhibitor, and a therapeutic agent or a therapeutic composition, comprising the inhibitory agent. More specifically, the present invention relates to the inhibitory agent, wherein the serine protease inhibitor is one or more of a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a solvate or hydrate thereof, and a therapeutic agent or a therapeutic composition, comprising the inhibitory agent: wherein R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic heterocyclic group, each of which may optionally comprise a heteroatom.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for an isolated recombinant influenza virus having at least one of: a PB2 viral segment encoding PB2 with residue at position 540 that is not asparagine or a residue at position 712 that is not glutamic acid, a PA viral segment encoding PA with a residue at position 180 that is not glutamine or a residue at position 200 that is not threonine, or a PB1 viral segment encoding PB1 with a residue at position 149 that is not valine, a residue at position 634 that is not glutamic acid or a residue at position 635 that is not aspartic acid, or any combination thereof, and methods of making and using the virus.

Abstract: An isolated recombinant influenza virus is provided having PA, PB1, PB2, NP, NS, M, NA and HA viral segments, wherein the PB1 viral segment encodes a PB1 with a residue other than isoleucine at position 711 or the M viral segment encodes a M1 with a residue other than methionine at position 128, wherein the recombinant influenza virus has enhanced replication relative to a corresponding influenza virus having a PB1 viral segment that encodes a PB1 with an isoleucine at position 711 or having a M viral segment that encodes a M1 with methionine at position 128, as well as methods of making and using the virus.