Iscom preparation and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of at least two iscom complexes each complex comprising essentially one saponin fraction from Quillaja Saponaria Molina. The complexes may be iscom complexes or iscom matrix complexes. The invention also pertains to the use of such a mixture for the preparation of an immunomodulating pharmaceutical, and adjuvant, formulations for immunsation e.g. for production of monoclonal antibodies and a vaccine. Kits of pars comprising at least two parts, wherein each part comprises one iscom complex or one iscom matrix complex according to the invention are also embraced.

1 . A composition, comprising a mixture of at least two iscom complexes, wherein 
 said iscom complexes are selected from the group consisting of iscom and iscom matrix complexes; and    said at least two iscom complexes comprise at least two different saponin fractions from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.    
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said iscon complexes are iscom.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said iscom complexes are iscom matrix complexes.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , comprising a mixture of at least two iscom and/or iscom matrix complexes, wherein each complex comprises a different saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.  
   
   
       5 . A kit, comprising at least two parts, wherein each of said parts comprises one iscom complex or one iscom matrix complex; and 
 each of said iscom complex or iscom matrix complex comprises one saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.    
   
   
       6 . A composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional adjuvant, wherein said at least one additional adjuvant is not a saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.  
   
   
       7 . An immunomodulating pharmaceutical, comprising a composition according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       8 . A method for vaccine preparation, comprising providing a composition according to  claim 1  and at least one antigen; and preparing a vaccine therewith.  
   
   
       9 . A method for the preparation of an adjuvant, comprising: 
 providing at least one composition according to  claim 3;  and    preparing an adjuvant therewith.    
   
   
       10 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina is selected from the group consisting of fraction A of  Quillaja Saponaria , fraction B of  Quillaja Saponaria , fraction C of  Quillaja Saponaria Molina , spicoside, Q VAC, and Quil 1-21  
   
   
       11 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina is selected from the group consisting of fraction A of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina, fraction B of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina, and fraction C of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.  
   
   
       12 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion of said mixture comprising saponin fraction comprises from 50% to 70% by weight of fraction A of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina and from 30% to 50% by weight of fraction C of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to a  claim 9 , wherein said saponin fraction of said iscom composition comprises from 30% to 50% by weight of fraction A of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina and from 50% to 70% by weight of fraction C of  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina.  
   
   
       14 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said saponin fraction from  Quillaja Saponaria  Molina is one of Quil 1-21.