Immunogenic compositions containing conjugated capsular saccharide antigens, kits therewith and uses thereof

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to new immunogenic compositions comprising conjugated capsular saccharide antigens (glycoconjugates) for use in a method of preventing an infection by S. pneumoniae in a human subject. Immunogenic compositions of the present invention comprise glycoconjugates, wherein the saccharides are derived from serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention also relates to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumoccocal infections using said novel immunogenic compositions.Background of the Invention

[0002] Infections caused by pneumococci are a major cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Pneumonia, febrile bacteraemia and meningitis are the most common manifestations of invasive pneumococcal disease, whereas bacterial spread within the respiratory tract may result in middle-ear infection, sinusitis or recurrent bronchitis. Compared with invasive disease, the non-invasive manifestations are usually less severe, but considerably more common.

[0003] In Europe and the United States, pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, estimated to affect approximately 100 per 100,000 adults each year. The corresponding figures for febrile bacteraemia and meningitis are 15-19 per 100 000 and 1-2 per 100,000, respectively. The risk for one or more of these manifestations is much higher in infants and elderly people, as well as immune compromised persons of any age. Even in economically developed regions, invasive pneumococcal disease carries high mortality; for adults with pneumococcal pneumonia the mortality rate averages 10%-20%, whilst it may exceed 50% in the high-risk groups. Pneumonia is by far the most common cause of pneumococcal death worldwide.

[0004] The etiological agent of pneumococcal diseases, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), is a Gram-positive encapsulated coccus, surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule. Differences in the composition of this capsule permit serological differentiation between about 91 capsular types, some of which are frequently associated with pneumococcal disease, others rarely. Invasive pneumococcal infections include pneumonia, meningitis and febrile bacteremia; among the common non-invasive manifestations are otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis.

[0005] Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are pneumococcal vaccines used to protect against disease caused by S. pneumoniae (pneumococcus). There are currently three PCV vaccines available on the global market: PREVNAR ®< (PREVENAR ®< in some countries) (heptavalent vaccine), SYNFLORIX ®< (a decavalent vaccine) and PREVNAR 13 ®< (PREVENAR 13 ®< in some countries) (tridecavalent vaccine).

[0006] The recent development of widespread microbial resistance to essential antibiotics and the increasing number of immunocompromised persons underline the need for pneumococcal vaccines with even broader protection.

[0007] In particular, there is a need to address remaining unmet medical need for coverage of pneumococcal disease due to serotypes not found in PREVNAR 13 ®< and potential for emergence of non PREVNAR 13 ®< serotypes. The specific serotypes causing disease beyond the 13 in PREVNAR 13 ®< vary by region, population, and may change over time due to acquisition of antibiotic resistance, pneumococcal vaccine introduction and secular trends of unknown origin. There is a need for immunogenic compositions that can be used to induce an immune response against additional Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes in humans and in particular in children less than 2 years old.

[0008] An object of the new immunogenic compositions of the present invention is to provide for appropriate protection against S. pneumoniae serotypes not found in PREVNAR 13 ®< . In one aspect, an object of the immunogenic compositions of the present invention is to provide for appropriate protection against S. pneumoniae serotypes not found in PREVNAR ®< (heptavalent vaccine), SYNFLORIX ®< and / or PREVNAR 13 ®< while maintaining an immune response against serotypes currently covered by said vaccines. The phenomenon of antigenic competition (or interference) complicates the development of multi-valent vaccines. Antigenic interference refers to the observation that administering multiple antigens can result in a diminished response to certain antigens relative to the immune response observed when such antigens are administered individually. Its occurrence when making new combinations of antigens is unpredictable.

[0009] An object of the immunogenic compositions, kits and schedules of administration of the present invention is to provide for appropriate protection against S. pneumoniae serotypes not found in PREVNAR 13 ®< while maintaining an immune response against serotypes currently covered by said vaccine and minimizing the risk of immune interference.Summary of the Invention

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a first immunogenic composition comprising a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 22F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 10A, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 11A and a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, wherein said composition is a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition and wherein said glycoconjugates are individually conjugated to CRM 197 ; and a second immunogenic composition which is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition wherein said 13 conjugates consists of glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F individually conjugated to CRM 197 , for use in a method of preventing an infection by S. pneumoniae in a human subject wherein said first and second immunogenic compositions are administered sequentially and wherein the schedule of vaccination of said sequential administration consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months.Figures

[0011] Figure 1 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 8 (Pn-8) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 2 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 10A (Pn-10A) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 3 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 11A (Pn-11A) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 4 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 12F (Pn-12F) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 5 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (Pn-15B) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 6 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 22F (Pn-22F) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 7 shows a repeating polysaccharide structure of S. pneumoniae serotype 33F (Pn-33F) capsular polysaccharide. Figure 8 shows a representative process flow diagram for the activation (A) and conjugation (B) processes which can be used in the preparation of Pn-33F glycoconjugate. Figure 9 shows the effect on DO by varying amount of NCS in the TEMPO / NCS oxidation reaction. Figure 10 shows evaluation of Pn-12F glycoconjugates stability. Figure 11 Cross-Functional OPA Responses. A subset of 59 sera from adults vaccinated with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (US Study 6115A1-004; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00427895) was assessed in OPAs for the presence of functional antibodies against serotypes 9V, 9A, 9L, and 9N. The percent of samples with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8) is indicated above each group. Geometric mean titers (GMT) are listed in the x axis below each group. Figure 12 Cross-Functional OPA Responses of Sixty-six Matched pre / post Sera. A subset of 66 matched pre- and post-vaccinated serum panel from adults vaccinated with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (study 6115A1-3005; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00546572) were assessed in OPAs for the presence of functional antibodies against serotypes 9V, 9A, 9L, and 9N. The percent of samples with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8) is indicated above each group. Geometric mean titers (GMT) are listed in the x axis below each group. Figure 13 Reverse cumulative distribution curves (RCDC) of pre and post Immunization - pneumococcal serotype 9V (Pn9V). Reverse cumulative distribution curves of OPA titers to serotype 9V from a matched pre- and post-vaccination serum panel (N = 66) vaccinated with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (study 6115A1-3005; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00546572). The plots represent the percent of sera with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8). Figure 14 Reverse cumulative distribution curves (RCDC) of pre and post Immunization - pneumococcal serotype 9A (Pn9A). Reverse cumulative distribution curves of OPA titers to serotype 9A from a matched pre- and post-vaccination serum panel (N = 66) vaccinated with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (study 6115A1-3005; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00546572). The plots represent the percent of sera with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8). Figure 15 Reverse cumulative distribution curves (RCDC) of pre and post Immunization - pneumococcal serotype 9L (Pn9L). Reverse cumulative distribution curves of OPA titers to serotype 9L from a matched pre- and post-vaccination serum panel (N = 66) vaccinated with with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (study 6115A1-3005; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00546572). The plots represent the percent of sera with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8). Figure 16 Reverse cumulative distribution curves (RCDC) of pre and post Immunization - pneumococcal serotype 9N (Pn9N).

[0012] Reverse cumulative distribution curves of OPA titers to serotype 9N from a matched pre- and post-vaccination serum panel (N = 66) vaccinated with with a 13 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (study 6115A1-3005; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00546572). The plots represent the percent of sera with OPA positive titer (i.e., ≥1:8).1. Glycoconjugates of the invention

[0013] Immunogenic compositions of the present invention comprise conjugated capsular saccharide antigens (also named glycoconjugates), wherein the saccharides are derived from serotypes of S. pneumoniae.

[0014] The saccharides are each individually conjugated to different molecules of the protein carrier (each molecule of protein carrier only having one type of saccharide conjugated to it). In said embodiment, the capsular saccharides are said to be individually conjugated to the carrier protein.

[0015] For the purposes of the invention the term 'glycoconjugate' indicates a capsular saccharide linked covalently to a carrier protein. In one embodiment a capsular saccharide is linked directly to a carrier protein. In a second embodiment a bacterial saccharide is linked to a protein through a spacer / linker.1.1 Carrier protein of the invention

[0016] A component of the glycoconjugate of the invention is a carrier protein to which the saccharide is conjugated. The terms "protein carrier" or "carrier protein" or "carrier" may be used interchangeably herein. Carrier proteins should be amenable to standard conjugation procedures.

[0017] The capsular saccharides of the invention are conjugated to CRM 197 protein. The CRM 197 protein is a nontoxic form of diphtheria toxin but is immunologically indistinguishable from the diphtheria toxin. CRM 197 is produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae infected by the nontoxigenic phage β197 tox-< created by nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis of the toxigenic corynephage beta (Uchida et al. (1971) Nature New Biology 233:8-11). The CRM 197 protein has the same molecular weight as the diphtheria toxin but differs therefrom by a single base change (guanine to adenine) in the structural gene. This single base change causes an amino acid substitution (glutamic acid for glycine) in the mature protein and eliminates the toxic properties of diphtheria toxin. The CRM 197 protein is a safe and effective T-cell dependent carrier for saccharides. Further details about CRM 197 and production thereof can be found, e.g., in U.S. Patent No. 5,614,382.1.2 Capsular saccharide of the invention

[0018] The term "saccharide" throughout this specification may indicate polysaccharide or oligosaccharide and includes both. In frequent embodiments, the saccharide is a polysaccharide, in particular a S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide.

[0019] Capsular polysaccharides are prepared by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0020] In the present invention, capsular polysaccharides may be prepared, e.g., from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F of S. pneumoniae. Typically capsular polysaccharides are produced by growing each S. pneumoniae serotype in a medium (e.g. in a soy-based medium), the polysaccharides are then prepared from the bacteria culture. Bacterial strains of S. pneumoniae used to make the respective polysaccharides that are used in the glycoconjugates of the invention may be obtained from established culture collections or clinical specimens.

[0021] The population of the organism (each S. pneumoniae serotype) is often scaled up from a seed vial to seed bottles and passaged through one or more seed fermentors of increasing volume until production scale fermentation volumes are reached. At the end of the growth cycle the cells are lysed and the lysate broth is then harvested for downstream (purification) processing (see for example WO 2006 / 110381, WO 2008 / 118752, and U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2008 / 0102498 and 2008 / 0286838).

[0022] The individual polysaccharides are typically purified through centrifugation, precipitation, ultra-filtration, and / or column chromatography (see for example WO 2006 / 110352 and WO 2008 / 118752).

[0023] Purified polysaccharides may be activated (e.g., chemically activated) to make them capable of reacting (e.g., with the eTEC spacer) and then incorporated into glycoconjugates of the invention, as further described herein.

[0024] S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides comprise repeating oligosaccharide units which may contain up to 8 sugar residues.

[0025] In an embodiment, capsular saccharide of the invention may be one oligosaccharide unit or a shorter than native length saccharide chain of repeating oligosaccharide units. In an embodiment, capsular saccharide of the invention is one repeating oligosaccharide unit of the relevant serotype.

[0026] In an embodiment, capsular saccharide of the invention may be oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides have a low number of repeat units (typically 5-15 repeat units) and are typically derived synthetically or by hydrolysis of polysaccharides.

[0027] Preferably though, all of the capsular saccharides of the present invention and in the immunogenic compositions of the present invention are polysaccharides. High molecular weight capsular polysaccharides are able to induce certain antibody immune responses due to the epitopes present on the antigenic surface. The isolation and purification of high molecular weight capsular polysaccharides is preferably contemplated for use in the conjugates, compositions and methods of the present invention.

[0028] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 4,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 4,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 3,500 kDa; 100 kDa and 3,000 kDa; 100 kDa and 2,500 kDa; 100 kDa and 2,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. Mechanical or chemical sizing maybe employed. Chemical hydrolysis maybe conducted using acetic acid. Mechanical sizing maybe conducted using High Pressure Homogenization Shearing. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation).

[0030] In a preferred embodiment the purified polysaccharides, are capsular polysaccharide from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F or 33F of S. pneumoniae, wherein the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight falling within one of the molecular weight ranges as described here above.

[0031] As used herein, the term "molecular weight" of polysaccharide or of carrier protein-polysaccharide conjugate refers to molecular weight calculated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) combined with multiangle laser light scattering detector (MALLS).

[0032] In some embodiments, the pneumococcal saccharides from serotypes 9V, 18C, 11A, 15B, 22F and / or 33F of the invention are O-acetylated. In some embodiments, the pneumococcal saccharides from serotypes 9V, 11A, 15B, 22F and / or 33F of the invention are O-acetylated.

[0033] The purified polysaccharides described herein are chemically activated to make the saccharides capable of reacting with the carrier protein. These pneumococcal conjugates are prepared by separate processes and formulated into a single dosage formulation as described below.1.2.1 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F

[0034] Capsular saccharides from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F may be prepared by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art (see for example WO 2006 / 110381). Capsular polysaccharides can be produced by growing each S. pneumoniae serotype in a medium; at the end of the growth cycle the cells are lysed and the lysate broth is then harvested for downstream (purification) processing. The individual polysaccharides are typically purified through centrifugation, precipitation, ultra-filtration, and / or column chromatography (see for example WO 2006 / 110352 and WO 2008 / 118752). Purified polysaccharides may be further processed as further described herein to prepare glycoconjugates of the invention.

[0035] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and / or 23F before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 4,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 3,000 kDa or between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between between 50 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa; 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.

[0037] In some embodiments, the pneumococcal saccharides from serotypes 9V and / or 18C of the invention are O-acetylated. In some embodiments, the pneumococcal saccharide from serotype 9V of the invention is O-acetylated and the pneumococcal saccharide from serotype 18C of the invention is de-O-acetylated.1.2.2 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 8

[0038] The polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 8 consists of a linear tetrasaccharide unit with one glucuronic acid (GlcpA), two glucopyranoses (Glcp) and one galactopyranose (Galp) (Jones et al. (1957) The Journal of the American Chemical Society. 79(11):2787-2793). All four monosaccharides are linked via 1,4-linkages as shown at Figure 1.

[0039] Serotype 8 saccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). In addition, they can be produced using synthetic protocols.

[0040] Serotype 8 S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0041] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 8 before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa and 900 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 100 kDa and 800 kDa.

[0042] In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 600 kDa; 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 600 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 200 kDa to 600 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 600; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 600 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; 400 kDa to 600 kDa; 500 kDa to 600 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0043] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.1.2.3 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 10A

[0044] The polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 10A consists of a branched hexasaccharide repeat unit with two galactofuranoses (Gal f ), three galactopyranoses (Gal p ), one N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal p NAc) and a backbone phosphoribitol (Jones, C. (2005) Carbohydrate Research 269(1):175-181). There are two branching monosaccharides at the β-GalpNAc moiety (a β-3-Galp and a β-6-Galf) as shown at Figure 2.

[0045] Serotype 10A saccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). In addition, they can be produced using synthetic protocols.

[0046] Serotype 10A S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0047] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 10A before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa and 900 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 100 kDa and 800 kDa.

[0048] In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 600 kDa; 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 600 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 200 kDa to 600 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 600 kDa; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 600 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; 400 kDa to 600 kDa; 500 kDa to 600 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0049] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.1.2.4 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 11A

[0050] The polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 11A consists of a linear tetrasaccharide backbone (two galactopyranoses (Gal p ) and two glucopyranose (Glc p )) and a pendent phosphoglycerol (Richards et al. (1988) Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 228:595-597), as shown at Figure 3. The polysaccharide is O-acetylated at multiple locations and, based on the reported data in the literature (Calix et al. (2011) J Bacteriol. 193(19):5271-5278), the total amount of O-acetylation in 11A polysaccharide is about 2.6 O-acetyl groups per polysaccharide repeat unit.

[0051] Serotype 11A saccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). In addition, they can be produced using synthetic protocols.

[0052] Serotype 11A S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0053] The isolated serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide obtained by purification of serotype 11A polysaccharide from the S. pneumoniae lysate and optionally sizing of the purified polysaccharide may be characterized by different attributes including, for example, the molecular weight (MW) and the mM of acetate per mM of said serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide.

[0054] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 11A before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa and 900 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 100 kDa and 800 kDa.

[0055] In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 600 kDa; 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 100 kDa to 300 kDa; 100 kDa to 200 kDa; 150 kDa to 600 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 300 kDa; 150 kDa to 200 kDa; 200 kDa to 600 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 600 kDa; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 600 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; 400 kDa to 600 kDa; 500 kDa to 600 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0056] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.

[0057] In an embodiment, the size of the purified serotype 11A polysaccharide is reduced by high pressure homogenization. High pressure homogenization achieves high shear rates by pumping the process stream through a flow path with sufficiently small dimensions. The shear rate is increased by using a larger applied homogenization pressure, and exposure time can be increased by recirculating the feed stream through the homogenizer.

[0058] The high pressure homogenization process is particularly appropriate for reducing the size of the purified serotype 11A polysaccharide while preserving the structural features of the polysaccharide, such as the presence of O-acetyl groups.

[0059] The presence of O-acetyl in a purified, isolated or activated serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide or in a serotype 11A polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate is expressed as the number of mM of acetate per mM of said polysaccharide or as the number of O-acetyl group per polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 11A has at least 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 µmol acetate per µmol of said serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide.1.2.5 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 12F

[0061] The polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 12F consists of a linear trisaccharide backbone (one N-acetylfucosamine (Fuc p NAc), one N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal p NAc) and one N-acetylmannuronic acid (Man p NAcA)) with two branches: a pendant α-galactopyranose (Gal p ) linked at C3 of Fuc p NAc and an α-Glc p -(1→2)-α-Glc p disaccharide branch linked at C3 of Man p NAcA (Leontein et al. (1983) Carbohydrate Research 114(2):257-266.) as shown at Figure 4.

[0062] Serotype 12F Streptococcus pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0063] Capsular saccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F are prepared by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typically capsular polysaccharides are produced by growing each S. pneumoniae serotype in a medium (e.g., in a soy-based medium), the polysaccharides are then prepared from the bacteria culture. The population of the organism (S. pneumoniae serotype 12F) is often scaled up from a seed vial to seed bottles and passaged through one or more seed fermentors of increasing volume until production scale fermentation volumes are reached. At the end of the growth cycle the cells are lysed and the lysate broth is then harvested for downstream (purification) processing (see for example WO 2006 / 110381 and WO 2008 / 118752, U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2008 / 0102498 and US2008 / 0286838). The polysaccharides are typically purified through centrifugation, precipitation, ultra-filtration, and / or column chromatography (see for example WO 2006 / 110352 and WO 2008 / 118752).

[0064] Purified polysaccharides from serotype 12F may be activated (e.g., chemically activated) to make them capable of reacting and then incorporated into glycoconjugates of the invention, as further described herein.

[0065] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 300 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa and 300 kDa. In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 90 kDa to 250 kDa; 90 kDa to 150 kDa; 90 kDa to 120 kDa; 80 kDa to 120 kDa; 70 kDa to 100 kDa; 70 kDa to 110 kDa; 70 kDa to 120 kDa; 70 kDa to 130 kDa; 70 kDa to 140 kDa; 70 kDa to 150 kDa; 70 kDa to 160 kDa; 80 kDa to 110 kDa; 80 kDa to 120 kDa; 80 kDa to 130 kDa; 80 kDa to 140 kDa; 80 kDa to 150 kDa; 80 kDa to 160 kDa; 90 kDa to 110 kDa; 90 kDa to 120 kDa; 90 kDa to 130 kDa; 90 kDa to 140 kDa; 90 kDa to 150 kDa; 90 kDa to 160 kDa; 100 kDa to 120 kDa; 100 kDa to 130 kDa; 100 kDa to 140 kDa; 100 kDa to 150 kDa; 100 kDa to 160 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0066] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.1.2.6 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 15B

[0067] As shown at Figure 5, the polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 15B consists of a branched trisaccharide backbone (one N-acetylglucosamine (Glc p NAc), one galactopyranose (Gal p ) and one glucopyranose (Glc p )) with an αGal p -βGal p disaccharide branch linked to the C4 hydroxyl group of Glc p NAc. The phosphoglycerol is linked to the C3 hydroxyl group of the βGal p residue in the disaccharide branch (Jones et al. (2005) Carbohydrate Research 340(3):403-409). Capsular polysaccharide from serotype 15C serotype has the identical backbone structure as serotype 15B but lacks the O-acetylation.

[0068] Serotype 15B polysaccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). They can also be produced using synthetic protocols known to the man skilled in the art.

[0069] Serotype 15B S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA USA) (e.g., deposit strain No. ATCC10354) or the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA)) or from clinical specimens.

[0070] The bacterial cells are grown in a medium, preferably in a soy based medium. Following fermentation of bacterial cells that produce S. pneumoniae serotype 15B capsular polysaccharides, the bacterial cells are lysed to produce a cell lysate. The serotype 15B polysaccharide may then be isolated from the cell lysate using purification techniques known in the art, including the use of centrifugation, depth filtration, precipitation, ultra-filtration, treatment with activate carbon, diafiltration and / or column chromatography (see, for example, U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). The purified serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide can then be used for the preparation of immunogenic conjugates.

[0071] The isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide obtained by purification of serotype 15B polysaccharide from the S. pneumoniae lysate and optionally sizing of the purified polysaccharide can be characterized by different parameters including, for example, the molecular weight (MW), the mM of acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and the mM of glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0072] Preferably, in order to generate 15B conjugates with advantageous filterability characteristics and / or yields, sizing of the polysaccharide to a target molecular weight range is performed prior to the conjugation to a carrier protein. Advantageously, the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide is reduced while preserving critical features of the structure of the polysaccharide such as for example the presence of O-acetyl groups. Preferably, the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide is reduced by mechanical homogenization.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide is reduced by high pressure homogenization. High pressure homogenization achieves high shear rates by pumping the process stream through a flow path with sufficiently small dimensions. The shear rate is increased by using a larger applied homogenization pressure, and exposure time can be increased by recirculating the feed stream through the homogenizer.

[0074] The high pressure homogenization process is particularly appropriate for reducing the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide while preserving the structural features of the polysaccharide, such as the presence of O-acetyl groups.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 5 kDa and 500 kDa, between 50 kDa and 500 kDa, between 50 kDa and 450kDa, between 100 kDa and 400kDa, and between 100 kDa and 350 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 350kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 300kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150kDa and 300kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150kDa and 350kDa. In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 100 kDa to 300 kDa; 100 kDa to 200 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 300 kDa; 150 kDa to 200 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0076] Serotype 15B polysaccharide is O-acetylated and the total amount of O-acetylation is approximately 0.8-0.9 O-acetyl groups per polysaccharide repeating unit. The degree of O-acetylation of the polysaccharide can be determined by any method known in the art, for example, by proton NMR (see for example Lemercinier et al. (1996) Carbohydrate Research 296:83-96; Jones et al. (2002) J. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 30:1233-1247; WO 2005 / 033148 and WO 00 / 56357). Another commonly used method is described in Hestrin, S. (1949) J. Biol. Chem. 180:249-261. Preferably, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0077] The presence of O-acetyl in a purified, isolated or activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide or in a serotype 15B polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate is expressed as the number of mM of acetate per mM of said polysaccharide or as the number of O-acetyl group per polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0079] The presence of glycerolphosphate side chains is determined by measurement of glycerol using high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) after its release by treatment of the polysaccharide with hydrofluoric acid (HF). The presence of glycerol in a purified, isolated or activated serotype 15B polysaccharide or in a serotype 15B polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate is expressed as the number of mM of glycerol per mM of serotype 15B polysaccharide.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.7 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 300 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 300 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 300 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 150 kDa and 350 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.1.2.7 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 22F

[0091] As shown at Figure 6, the polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 22F consists of a branched pentasaccharide backbone (one glucuronic acid (Glc p A), one glucopyranose (Glc p ), one galactofuranose (Gal f ) and two rhamnopyranoses (Rha p )) with a αGlc p branch linked to the C3 hydroxyl group of βRha p (Richards et al. (1989) Canadian Journal of Chemistry 67(6):1038-1050). Approximately 80% of the C2 hydroxyl groups of the βRha p residue in the polysaccharide repeating unit are O-acetylated.

[0092] Serotype 22F polysaccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). In addition, they can be produced using synthetic protocols.

[0093] Serotype 22F S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0094] The isolated serotype 22F capsular polysaccharide obtained by purification of serotype 22F polysaccharide from the S. pneumoniae lysate and optionally sizing of the purified polysaccharide can be characterized by different parameters including, for example, the molecular weight (MW) and the mM of acetate per mM of said serotype 22F capsular polysaccharide.

[0095] Preferably, in order to generate serotype 22F conjugates with advantageous filterability characteristics and / or yields, sizing of the polysaccharide to a target molecular weight range is performed prior to the conjugation to a carrier protein. Advantageously, the size of the purified serotype 22F polysaccharide is reduced while preserving critical features of the structure of the polysaccharide such as for example the presence of O-acetyl group. Preferably, the size of the purified serotype 22F polysaccharide is reduced by mechanical homogenization.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the size of the purified polysaccharide is reduced by high pressure homogenization. High pressure homogenization achieves high shear rates by pumping the process stream through a flow path with sufficiently small dimensions. The shear rate is increased by using a larger applied homogenization pressure, and exposure time can be increased by recirculating the feed stream through the homogenizer.

[0097] The high pressure homogenization process is particularly appropriate for reducing the size of the purified serotype 22F polysaccharide while preserving the structural features of the polysaccharide, such as the presence of O-acetyl groups.

[0098] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 22F before conjugation have a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa to 900 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 100 kDa to 800 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa to 600 kDa. In another embodiment, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 400 kDa to 700 kDa.

[0099] In further embodiments, the capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 100 kDa to 900 kDa; 100 kDa to 800 kDa; 100 kDa to 700 kDa; 100 kDa to 600 kDa; 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 100 kDa to 300 kDa; 150 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 150 kDa to 900 kDa; 150 kDa to 800 kDa; 150 kDa to 700 kDa; 150 kDa to 600 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 300 kDa; 200 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 200 kDa to 900 kDa; 200 kDa to 800 kDa; 200 kDa to 700 kDa; 200 kDa to 600 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 200 kDa to 300 kDa; 250 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 250 kDa to 900 kDa; 250 kDa to 800 kDa; 250 kDa to 700 kDa; 250 kDa to 600 kDa; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 300 kDa to 900 kDa; 300 kDa to 800 kDa; 300 kDa to 700 kDa; 300 kDa to 600 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; 400 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 400 kDa to 900 kDa; 400 kDa to 800 kDa; 400 kDa to 700 kDa; 400 kDa to 600 kDa; 500 kDa to 600 kDa; and similar desired molecular weight ranges. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0100] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described hereabove, 22F polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.

[0101] The degree of O-acetylation of the polysaccharide can be determined by any method known in the art, for example, by proton NMR (Lemercinier et al. (1996) Carbohydrate Research 296:83-96; Jones et al. (2002) J. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 30:1233-1247; WO 2005 / 033148 and WO 00 / 56357). Another commonly used method is described in Hestrin, S. (1949) J. Biol. Chem. 180:249-261. Preferably, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0102] The presence of O-acetyl in a purified, isolated or activated serotype 22F capsular polysaccharide or in a serotype 22F polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate is expressed as the number of mM of acetate per mM of said polysaccharide or as the number of O-acetyl group per polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 22F has at least 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6, µmol acetate per µmol of said serotype 22F capsular polysaccharide.1.2.8 Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Serotype 33F

[0104] As shown at Figure 7, the polysaccharide repeating unit of serotype 33F consists of a branched pentasaccharide backbone (two galactopyranoses (Gal p ), two galactofuranoses (Gal f ) and one glucopyranose (Glc p ) with a terminal αGal p linked to the C2 hydroxyl group of αGal p residue within the backbone (Lemercinier et al. (2006) Carbohydrate Research 341(1):68-74.). It has been reported in the literature that the C2 hydroxyl group of the backbone 3-β-Gal f residue is O-acetylated.

[0105] Serotype 33F polysaccharides can be obtained directly from bacteria using isolation procedures known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see for example methods disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2007 / 0184071, 2007 / 0184072, 2007 / 0231340, and 2008 / 0102498 and WO 2008 / 118752). In addition, they can be produced using synthetic protocols.

[0106] Serotype 33F S. pneumoniae strains may be obtained from established culture collections (such as for example the Streptococcal Reference Laboratory (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA)) or clinical specimens.

[0107] Purified polysaccharides from serotype 33F may be activated (e.g., chemically activated) to make them capable of reacting and then incorporated into glycoconjugates of the invention, as further described herein.

[0108] The isolated serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide obtained by purification of serotype 33F polysaccharide from the S. pneumoniae lysate and optionally sizing of the purified polysaccharide can be characterized by different parameters including, for example, the molecular weight and the mM of acetate per mM of said serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide.

[0109] In some embodiments, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F before conjugation have a molecular weight of between between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0110] A polysaccharide can become slightly reduced in size during normal purification procedures. Additionally, as described herein, polysaccharide can be subjected to sizing techniques before conjugation. The molecular weight ranges mentioned above refer to purified polysaccharides before conjugation (e.g., before activation) after an eventual sizing step.

[0111] The presence of O-acetyl in a purified, isolated or activated serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide or in a serotype 33F polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate is expressed as the number of mM of acetate per mM of said polysaccharide or as the number of O-acetyl group per polysaccharide repeating unit.

[0112] In a preferred embodiment, the purified polysaccharides from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F has at least 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6, µmol acetate per µmol of said serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide.1.3 Glycoconjugates of the invention

[0113] The purified saccharides are chemically activated to make the saccharides (i.e., activated saccharides) capable of reacting with the carrier protein. Once activated, each capsular saccharide is separately conjugated to a carrier protein to form a glycoconjugate. In one embodiment, each capsular saccharide is conjugated to the same carrier protein. The chemical activation of the saccharides and subsequent conjugation to the carrier protein can be achieved by the activation and conjugation methods disclosed herein.1.3.1 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F

[0114] Capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F of S. pneumoniae are prepared by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art (see for example WO 2006 / 110381, WO 2008 / 118752, WO 2006 / 110352, and U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2006 / 0228381, 2008 / 0102498 and 2008 / 0286838).

[0115] In an embodiment, the polysaccharides are activated with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide is then coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein (CRM 197 ). For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using N-[γ-maleimidobutyrloxy]succinimide ester (GMBS)) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, N-succinimidyl bromoacetate (SBA; SIB), N-succinimidyl(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (SIAB), sulfosuccinimidyl(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (sulfo-SIAB), N-succinimidyl iodoacetate (SIA) or succinimidyl 3-[bromoacetamido]proprionate (SBAP)). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0116] Other suitable techniques for conjugation use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0117] In an preferred embodiment, at least one of capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F of S. pneumoniae is conjugated to the carrier protein by reductive amination (such as described in U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. Nos. 2006 / 0228380, 2007 / 0231340, 2007 / 0184071 and 2007 / 0184072, WO 2006 / 110381, WO 2008 / 079653, and WO 2008 / 143709). In a preferred embodiment, the capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F of S. pneumoniae are all conjugated to the carrier protein by reductive amination.

[0118] Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate. Before oxidation, the polysaccharide is optionally hydrolyzed. Mechanical or chemical hydrolysis may be employed. Chemical hydrolysis may be conducted using acetic acid. The oxidation step may involve reaction with periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid; the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate).

[0119] In an embodiment the capsular polysaccharide from serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F or 23F of S. pneumoniae is oxidized in the presence of metaperiodate, preferably in the presence of sodium periodate (NaIO 4 ). In another embodiment the capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F of S. pneumoniae is oxydized in the presence of orthoperiodate, preferably in the presence of periodic acid.

[0120] Following the oxidation step of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide is said to be activated and is referred to as "activated polysaccharide" here below. The activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein may be lyophilised (freeze-dried), either independently (discrete lyophilization) or together (co-lyophilized). In one embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are co-lyophilized. In another embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are lyophilized independently.

[0121] In one embodiment the lyophilization takes place in the presence of a non-reducing sugar, possible non-reducing sugars include sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit.

[0122] The second step of the conjugation process is the reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate (so-called reductive amination), using a reducing agent. Reducing agents which are suitable include the cyanoborohydrides, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, borane-pyridine, or borohydride exchange resin. In one embodiment the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride.

[0123] In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in aqueous solvent, in another embodiment the reaction is carried out in aprotic solvent. In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) or in DMF (dimethylformamide) solvent. The DMSO or DMF solvent may be used to reconstitute the activated polysaccharide and carrier protein which has been lyophilized.

[0124] At the end of the reduction reaction, there may be unreacted aldehyde groups remaining in the conjugates, these may be capped using a suitable capping agent. In one embodiment this capping agent is sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). Following the conjugation (the reduction reaction and optionally the capping), the glycoconjugates may be purified. The glycoconjugates maybe purified by diafiltration and / or ion exchange chromatography and / or size exclusion chromatography. In an embodiment, the glycoconjugates are purified by diafiltration or ion exchange chromatography or size exclusion chromatography. In one embodiment the glycoconjugates are sterile filtered.

[0125] In some embodiments, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotypes 9V and / or 18C comprise a saccharide which has a degree of O-acetylation of between 10% and 100%, between 20% and 100%, between 30% and 100%, between 40% and 100%, between 50% and 100%, between 60% and 100%, between 70% and100%, between 75% and 100%, between 80% and 100%, between 90% and 100%, between 50% and 90%, between 60% and 90%, between 70% and 90% or between 80% and 90%. In other embodiments, the degree of O-acetylation is ≥ 10%, ≥ 20%, ≥ 30%, ≥ 40%, ≥ 50%, ≥ 60%, ≥ 70%, ≥ 80%, or ≥ 90%, or about 100%.

[0126] In some embodiments, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotypes 9V and / or 18C of the invention are O-acetylated. In some embodiments, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 9V is O-acetylated and the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 18C is de-O-acetylated.1.3.2 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 22F

[0127] In an embodiment, the serotype 22F glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB,SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0128] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0129] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein (CRM 197 ) to form a conjugate.

[0130] Preferably, before oxidation, sizing of the serotype 22F polysaccharide to a target molecular weight (MW) range is performed. Advantageously, the size of the purified serotype 22F polysaccharide is reduced while preserving critical features of the structure of the polysaccharide such as for example the presence of O-acetyl groups. Preferably, the size of the purified serotype 22F polysaccharide is reduced by mechanical homogenization (see section 1.2.7 above).

[0131] In an embodiment, serotype polysaccharide is activated (oxidized) by a process comprising the step of: (a) reacting isolated serotype 22F polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent; and (b) quenching the oxidation reaction by addition of a quenching agent resulting in an activated serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing agent is periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid; the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate). In a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing agent is sodium periodate. In a preferred embodiment, the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 22F polysaccharide is metaperiodate. In a preferred embodiment the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 22F polysaccharide is sodium metaperiodate.

[0133] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is selected from vicinal diols, 1,2-aminoalcohols, amino acids, glutathione, sulfite, bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate, phosphites, hypophosphites or phosphorous acid.

[0134] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a 1,2-aminoalcohols of formula (I): wherein R 1< is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl.

[0135] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is selected from sodium and potassium salts of sulfite, bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate, phosphites, hypophosphites or phosphorous acid.

[0136] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is an amino acid. In such embodiments, said amino acid may be selected from serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, methionine, proline, hydroxyproline, tryptophan, tyrosine, and histidine.

[0137] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a sulfite such as bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate.

[0138] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a compound comprising two vicinal hydroxyl groups (vicinal diols), i.e., two hydroxyl groups covalently linked to two adjacent carbon atoms.

[0139] Preferably, the quenching agent is a compound of formula (II): wherein R 1< and R 2< are each independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the quenching agent is glycerol, ethylene glycol, propan-1,2-diol, butan-1,2-diol or butan-2,3-diol, or ascorbic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the quenching agent is butan-2,3-diol.

[0141] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 22F polysaccharide is activated by a process comprising the step of: (a) reacting isolated serotype 22F polysaccharide with periodate; and (b) quenching the oxidation reaction by addition of butan-2,3-diol resulting in an activated serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0142] Following the oxidation step of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide is said to be activated and is referred to as "activated polysaccharide" here below.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is purified. The activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is purified according to methods known to the man skilled in the art such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dialysis or ultrafiltration / diafiltration. For example, the activated 22F polysaccharide is purified by concentration and diafiltration using an ultrafiltration device.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is between 2 and 30, between 2 and 25, between 2 and 20, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 5, between 5 and 30, between 5 and 25, between 5 and 20, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 10 and 30, between 10 and 25, between 10 and 20, between 10 and 15, between 15 and 30, between 15 and 25, between 15 and 20, between 20 to 30, or between 20 to 25. In a preferred embodiment the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is between 2 and 10, between 4 and 8, between 4 and 6, between 6 and 8, between 6 and 12, between 8 and 14, between 9 and 11, between 10 and 16, between 12 and 16, between 14 and 18, between 16 and 20, between 16 and 18, between 18 and 22, or between 18 and 20.

[0145] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 25 kDa and 1,000 kDa, between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa, between 300 kDa and 800 kDa, between 300 kDa and 700 kDa, between 300 kDa and 600 kDa, between 400 kDa and 1,000 kDa, between 400 kDa and 800 kDa, between 400 kDa and 700 kDa or between 400 kDa and 600kDa. In an embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 300 kDa and 800kDa. In an embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 400 kDa and 600 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 400 kda and 600 kDa and a degree of oxidation between 10 and 25, between 10 and 20, between 12 and 20 or between 14 and 18. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 400 kDa and 600 kDa and a degree of oxidation between 10 and 20.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 or about 0.8 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0147] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 400 kDa and 800 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 400 kDa and 800 kDa, a degree of oxidation between 12 and 20 and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0149] The activated polysaccharide and / or the carrier protein may be lyophilised (freeze-dried), either independently (discrete lyophilization) or together (co-lyophilized).

[0150] In an embodiment, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is lyophilized, optionally in the presence of saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. In one embodiment, the lyophilized activated polysaccharide is then compounded with a solution comprising the carrier protein.

[0151] In another embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are co-lyophilised. In such embodiments, the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide is compounded with the carrier protein and lyophilized optionally in the presence of a saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. The co-lyophilized polysaccharide and carrier protein can then be resuspended in solution and reacted with a reducing agent.

[0152] The second step of the conjugation process is the reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate (reductive amination), using a reducing agent.

[0153] The activated serotype 22F polysaccharide can be conjugated to a carrier protein by a process comprising the step of: (c) compounding the activated serotype 22F polysaccharide with a carrier protein; and (d) reacting the compounded activated serotype 22F polysaccharide and carrier protein with a reducing agent to form a serotype 22F polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate.

[0154] In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in aqueous solvent. In another embodiment the reaction is carried out in aprotic solvent. In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) or in DMF (dimethylformamide)) solvent. The DMSO or DMF solvent may be used to reconstitute the activated polysaccharide and carrier protein which has been lyophilised.

[0155] The conjugation of activated serotype 22F polysaccharide with a protein carrier by reductive amination in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is suitable to preserve the O-acetyl content of the polysaccharide as compared, for example, to reductive amination in aqueous phase where the level of O-acetylation of the polysaccharide may be significantly reduced. Therefore in a preferred embodiment, step (c) and step (d) are carried out in DMSO.

[0156] In an embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium or zinc borohydride in the presence of Bronsted or Lewis acids, amine boranes such as pyridine borane, 2-Picoline Borane, 2,6-diborane-methanol, dimethylamine-borane, t-BuMe i< PrN-BH 3 , benzylamine-BH 3 or 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine borane (PEMB). In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride.

[0157] At the end of the reduction reaction, there may be unreacted aldehyde groups remaining in the conjugates, these may be capped using a suitable capping agent. In one embodiment this capping agent is sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ).

[0158] Following conjugation of serotype 22F polysaccharide to the carrier protein, the glycoconjugate can be purified (enriched with respect to the amount of polysaccharide-protein conjugate) by a variety of techniques known to the skilled person. These techniques include dialysis, concentration / diafiltration operations, tangential flow filtration precipitation / elution, column chromatography (DEAE or hydrophobic interaction chromatography), and depth filtration.

[0159] In some embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugates of the present invention comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 70 kDa and 900 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 100 kDa and 800 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 600 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of 100 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 100 kDa to 900 kDa; 100 kDa to 800 kDa; 100 kDa to 700 kDa; 100 kDa to 600 kDa; 100 kDa to 500 kDa; 100 kDa to 400 kDa; 100 kDa to 300 kDa; 150 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 150 kDa to 900 kDa; 150 kDa to 800 kDa; 150 kDa to 700 kDa; 150 kDa to 600 kDa; 150 kDa to 500 kDa; 150 kDa to 400 kDa; 150 kDa to 300 kDa; 200 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 200 kDa to 900 kDa; 200 kDa to 800 kDa; 200 kDa to 700 kDa; 200 kDa to 600 kDa; 200 kDa to 500 kDa; 200 kDa to 400 kDa; 200 kDa to 300 kDa; 250 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 250 kDa to 900 kDa; 250 kDa to 800 kDa; 250 kDa to 700 kDa; 250 kDa to 600 kDa; 250 kDa to 500 kDa; 250 kDa to 400 kDa; 250 kDa to 350 kDa; 300 kDa to 1000 kDa; 300 kDa to 900 kDa; 300 kDa to 800 kDa; 300 kDa to 700 kDa; 300 kDa to 600 kDa; 300 kDa to 500 kDa; 300 kDa to 400 kDa; 400 kDa to 1,000 kDa; 400 kDa to 900 kDa; 400 kDa to 800 kDa; 400 kDa to 700 kDa; 400 kDa to 600 kDa; 500 kDa to 600 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure. In some such embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0160] In some embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 400 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa; or between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa. In still other embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 2,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa or between 3,000 kDa and 7,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 750 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 750 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0161] In further embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; or between 4,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa.

[0162] In further embodiments, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 6,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa.

[0163] The molecular weight of the glycoconjugate is measured by SEC-MALLS. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0164] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 or about 0.8 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0165] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.9.

[0166] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 22F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.9.

[0167] Another way to characterize the serotype 22F glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation). The evidence for lysine modification of the carrier protein, due to covalent linkages to the polysaccharides, can be obtained by amino acid analysis using routine methods known to those of skill in the art. Conjugation results in a reduction in the number of lysine residues recovered compared to the CRM 197 protein starting material used to generate the conjugate materials. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14 or about 15. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate of the invention is between 4 and 7. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0168] The serotype 22F glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In some embodiments, the ratio of serotype 22F polysaccharide to carrier protein in the glycoconjugate (w / w) is between 0.5 and 3.0 (e.g., about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, or about 3.0). In other embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.5 and 2.0, between 0.5 and 1.5, between 0.8 and 1.2, between 0.5 and 1.0, between 1.0 and 1.5 or between 1.0 and 2.0. In further embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.8 and 1.2. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 22F capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.9 and 1.1. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0169] The serotype 22F glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 22F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% or 15% of free serotype 22F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 22F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 40% of free serotype 22F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 22F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 25% of free serotype 22F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 22F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 20% of free serotype 22F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 22F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 22F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 15% of free serotype 22F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 22F polysaccharide.

[0171] The serotype 22F glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) is used in gravity fed columns to profile the molecular size distribution of conjugates. Large molecules excluded from the pores in the media elute more quickly than small molecules. Fraction collectors are used to collect the column eluate. The fractions are tested colorimetrically by saccharide assay. For the determination of K d , columns are calibrated to establish the fraction at which molecules are fully excluded (V 0 ), (K d =0), and the fraction representing the maximum retention (V i ), (K d =1). The fraction at which a specified sample attribute is reached (V e ), is related to K d by the expression, K d = (V e - V 0 ) / (V i - V 0 ).

[0172] In a preferred embodiment, at least 30% of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 40% of the glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 80% of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 65% and 80% of the serotype 22F glycoconjugate has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.1.3.3 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F

[0173] In an embodiment, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0174] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0175] In certain embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. In such embodiment, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention maybe prepared using reductive amination in aqueous phase (RAC / aqueous). Reductive amination in aqueous phase has been successfully applied to produce pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (see, e.g., WO 2006 / 110381). Preferably though, when using reductive amination, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates are prepared via reductive amination in DMSO (RAC / DMSO). In view of the challenges associated with the preservation of O-acetyl functionality using RAC / aqueous process, reductive amination in DMSO is preferred. RAC / DMSO has been successfully applied to produce pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (see, e.g., WO 2006 / 110381).

[0176] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using eTEC conjugation (herinafter "serotype 33F eTEC linked glycoconjugates"), such as described at Examples 1, 2 and 3 and in WO 2014 / 027302. Said 33F glycoconjugates comprise a saccharide covalently conjugated to a carrier protein through one or more eTEC spacers, wherein the saccharide is covalently conjugated to the eTEC spacer through a carbamate linkage, and wherein the carrier protein is covalently conjugated to the eTEC spacer through an amide linkage. The eTEC linked glycoconjugates of the invention may be represented by the general formula (III): wherein the atoms that comprise the eTEC spacer are contained in the central box.

[0177] The eTEC spacer includes seven linear atoms (i.e., -C(O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 SCH 2 C(O)- ) and provides stable thioether and amide bonds between the saccharide and carrier protein. Synthesis of the eTEC linked glycoconjugate involves reaction of an activated hydroxyl group of the saccharide with the amino group of a thioalkylamine reagent, e.g., cystamine or cysteinamine or a salt thereof, forming a carbamate linkage to the saccharide to provide a thiolated saccharide. Generation of one or more free sulfhydryl groups is accomplished by reaction with a reducing agent to provide an activated thiolated saccharide. Reaction of the free sulfhydryl groups of the activated thiolated saccharide with an activated carrier protein having one or more α-haloacetamide groups on amine containing residues generates a thioether bond to form the conjugate, wherein the carrier protein is attached to the eTEC spacer through an amide bond.

[0178] In serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention, the saccharide may be a polysaccharide or an oligosaccharide. The carrier protein may be selected from any suitable carrier as described herein or known to those of skill in the art. In frequent embodiments, the saccharide is a polysaccharide. The carrier protein is CRM 197 . In some such embodiments, the eTEC linked glycoconjugate comprises a S. pneumoniae serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide.

[0179] In particularly preferred embodiments, the eTEC linked glycoconjugate comprises a Pn-33F capsular polysaccharide, which is covalently conjugated to CRM 197 through an eTEC spacer (serotype 33F eTEC linked glycoconjugates).

[0180] In some embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the present invention comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0181] In some embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In still other embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0182] In further embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 750kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 750 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 9,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa or between 3,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0183] Another way to characterize the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide, which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation).

[0184] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 20, between 4 and 16, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19 or about 20. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention is between 4 and 16.

[0185] The carrier protein is CRM 197 , which contains 39 lysine residues. In some such embodiments, the CRM 197 may comprise 4 to 16 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide. Another way to express this parameter is that about 10% to about 41% of CRM 197 lysines are covalently linked to the saccharide. In another such embodiment, the CRM 197 may comprise 2 to 20 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide. Another way to express this parameter is that about 5% to about 50% of CRM 197 lysines are covalently linked to the saccharide. In some embodiments, the CRM 197 may comprise about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, or about 16 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide.

[0186] In frequent embodiments, the carrier protein is covalently conjugated to an eTEC spacer through an amide linkage to one or more ε-amino groups of lysine residues on the carrier protein. In some such embodiments, the carrier protein comprises 2 to 20 lysine residues covalently conjugated to the saccharide. In other such embodiments, the carrier protein comprises 4 to 16 lysine residues covalently conjugated to the saccharide.

[0187] The serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In some embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.2 and 4.0 (e.g., about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3.0, about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9 or about 4.0). In other embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 1.0 and 2.5. In further embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.4 and 1.7. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0188] The frequency of attachment of the saccharide chain to a lysine on the carrier protein is another parameter for characterizing the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs for every 4 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 10 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 15 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In a further embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide.

[0189] In frequent embodiments, the carrier protein is CRM 197 and the covalent linkage via an eTEC spacer between the CRM 197 and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 4, 10, 15 or 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide.

[0190] In other embodiments, the conjugate comprises at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and saccharide for every 5 to 10 saccharide repeat units; every 2 to 7 saccharide repeat units; every 3 to 8 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 9 saccharide repeat units; every 6 to 11 saccharide repeat units; every 7 to 12 saccharide repeat units; every 8 to 13 saccharide repeat units; every 9 to 14 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 15 saccharide repeat units; every 2 to 6 saccharide repeat units, every 3 to 7 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 8 saccharide repeat units; every 6 to 10 saccharide repeat units; every 7 to 11 saccharide repeat units; every 8 to 12 saccharide repeat units; every 9 to 13 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 14 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 20 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 25 saccharide repeat units or every 2 to 25 saccharide repeat units. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0191] In another embodiment, at least one linkage between carrier protein and saccharide occurs for every 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. The carrier protein is CRM 197 . Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0192] An important consideration during conjugation is the development of conditions that permit the retention of potentially sensitive non-saccharide substituent functional groups of the individual components, such as O-Acyl, phosphate or glycerol phosphate side chains that may form part of the saccharide epitope.

[0193] In one embodiment, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention comprise a saccharide which has a degree of O-acetylation between 10% and 100%. In some such embodiments, the saccharide has a degree of O-acetylation between 50% and 100%. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a degree of O-acetylation between 75% and 100%. In further embodiments, the saccharide has a degree of O-acetylation greater than or equal to 70% (≥70%).

[0194] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM acetate per mM serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 33F capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0195] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.9.

[0196] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 33F polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.9.

[0197] The serotype 33F glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0198] In some embodiments, the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention comprise less than about 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of free serotype 33F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 33F polysaccharide. Preferably, the serotype 33F glycoconjugate comprises less than 15% free saccharide, more preferably less than 10% free saccharide, and still more preferably, less than 5% of free saccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 33F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 25% of free serotype 33F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 33F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 33F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 20% of free serotype 33F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 33F polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 33F glycoconjugate comprises less than about 15% of free serotype 33F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 33F polysaccharide.

[0199] In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides a serotype 33F glycoconjugate having one or more of the following features alone or in combination: the polysaccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa; the glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa to 10,000 KDa; the carrier protein comprises 2 to 20 lysine residues covalently linked to the saccharide; the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.2 and 4.0; the glycoconjugate comprises at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide for every 4, 10, 15 or 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide; the saccharide has a degree of O-acetylation between 75% and 100%; the conjugate comprises less than about 15% free polysaccharide relative to total polysaccharide; the carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0200] The serotype 33F glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate, as mentioned above. In an embodiment, at least 15% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In an embodiment, at least 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0201] In a preferred embodiment, at least 35% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In preferred embodiments, at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 70% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0202] In a preferred embodiment, between 40% and 90% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 90% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 65% and 80% of the serotype 33F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.1.3.4 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 15B

[0203] In an embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0204] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0205] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate.

[0206] Preferably, before oxidation, sizing of the serotype 15B polysaccharide to a target molecular weight (MW) range is performed. Advantageously, the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide is reduced while preserving critical features of the structure of the polysaccharide such as for example the presence of O-acetyl groups. Preferably, the size of the purified serotype 15B polysaccharide is reduced by mechanical homogenization (see section 1.2.6 above).

[0207] The oxidation step may involve reaction with periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid; the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate). In a preferred embodiment the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is metaperiodate. In a preferred embodiment the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is sodium metaperiodate.

[0208] In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with 0.01 to 10.0, 0.05 to 5.0, 0.1 to 1.0, 0.5 to 1.0, 0.7 to 0.8, 0.05 to 0.5, 0.1 to 0.3 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.15 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.25 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.5 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.6 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide is reacted with about 0.7 molar equivalents of oxidizing agent.

[0209] In a preferred embodiment, the duration of the reaction is between 1 hour and 50 hours, between 10 hours and 30 hours, between 15 hours and 20 hours, between 15 hours and 17 hours or about 16 hours.

[0210] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction is maintained between 15°C and 45°C, between 15°C and 30°C, between 20°C and 25°C. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction is maintained at about 23°C.

[0211] In a preferred embodiment, the oxidation reaction is carried out in a buffer selected from sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) or Bis-Tris. In a preferred embodiment, the buffer is potassium phosphate.

[0212] In a preferred embodiment, the buffer has a concentration of between 1 mM and 500 mM, between 1 mM and 300 mM, or between 50 mM and 200 mM. In a preferred embodiment the buffer has a concentration of about 100 mM.

[0213] In a preferred embodiment, the oxidation reaction is carried out at a pH between 4.0 and 8.0, between 5.0 and 7.0, or between 5.5 and 6.5. In a preferred embodiment, the pH is about 6.0.

[0214] In preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is obtained by reacting 0.5 mg / mL to 5 mg / mL of isolated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide with 0.2 to 0.3 molar equivalents of periodate at a temperature between 20°C and 25°C.

[0215] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is purified. The activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is purified according to methods known to the man skilled in the art, such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dialysis or ultrafiltration / diafiltration. For example, the activated capsular polysaccharide is purified by concentration and diafiltration using an ultrafiltration device.

[0216] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is between 2 and 20, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 5, between 5 and 20, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 10 and 20, between 10 and 15, or between 15 and 20. In a preferred embodiment the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is between 2 and 10, between 4 and 8, between 4 and 6, between 6 and 8, between 6 and 12, between 8 and 12, between 9 and 11, between 10 and 16, between 12 and 16, between 14 and 18, between 16 and 20, between 16 and 18, or between 18 and 20.

[0217] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 5 kDa and 500 kDa, between 50 kDa and 500 kDa, between 50 kDa and 450 kDa, between 100 kDa and 400 kDa, between 100 kDa and 350 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 350 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 300 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 250 kDa.

[0218] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0219] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.7 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0220] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 250 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0221] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 250 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0222] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0223] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 250 kDa and comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM of said serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0224] In an embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is lyophilized, optionally in the presence of saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. The lyophilized activated capsular polysaccharide can then be compounded with a solution comprising the carrier protein.

[0225] In another embodiment, the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide is compounded with the carrier protein and lyophilized optionally in the presence of a saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. The co-lyophilized polysaccharide and carrier protein can then be resuspended in solution and reacted with a reducing agent.

[0226] The activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide can be conjugated to a carrier protein by a process comprising the step of: (a) compounding the activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide with a carrier protein, and (b) reacting the compounded activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and carrier protein with a reducing agent to form a serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate.

[0227] The conjugation of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide with a protein carrier by reductive amination in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is suitable to preserve the O-acetyl content of the polysaccharide as compared for example to reductive amination in aqueous solution where the level of O-acetylation of the polysaccharide is significantly reduced. In a preferred embodiment, step (a) and step (b) are carried out in DMSO.

[0228] In a preferred embodiment, step (a) comprises dissolving lyophilized serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in a solution comprising a carrier protein and DMSO. In a preferred embodiment, step (a) comprises dissolving co-lyophilized serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide and carrier protein in DMSO.

[0229] When steps (a) and (b) are carried out in aqueous solution, steps (a) and (b) are carried out in a buffer, preferably selected from PBS, MES, HEPES, Bis-tris, ADA, PIPES, MOPSO, BES, MOPS, DIPSO, MOBS, HEPPSO, POPSO, TEA, EPPS, Bicine or HEPB, at a pH between 6.0 and 8.5, between 7.0 and 8.0 or between 7.0 and 7.5. In a preferred embodiment the buffer is PBS. In a preferred embodiment the pH is about 7.3. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in step (b) is between 0.1 mg / mL and 10 mg / mL, between 0.5 mg / mL and 5 mg / mL, or between 0.5 mg / mL and 2 mg / mL. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in step (b) is about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0 mg / mL.

[0230] In a preferred embodiment the initial input ratio (weight by weight) of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein is between 5:1 and 0.1:1, between 2:1 and 0.1:1, between 2:1 and 1:1, between 1.5:1 and 1:1, between 0.1:1 and 1:1, between 0.3:1 and 1:1, or between 0.6:1 and 1:1.

[0231] In a preferred embodiment the initial input ratio of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein is about 0.6:1 to 1:1. In another preferred embodiment the initial input ratio of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein is about 0.6:1 to 1.5:1. Such initial input ratio is particularly suitable to obtain low levels of free polysaccharide in the glycoconjugate.

[0232] In a preferred embodiment the initial input ratio of activated serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein is about 0.4:1, 0.5:1, 0.6:1, 0.7:1, 0.8:1, 0.9:1, 1:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.3:1, 1.4:1, 1.5:1, 1.6:1, 1.7:1, 1.8:1, 1.9:1 or 2:1.

[0233] In an embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium or zinc borohydride in the presence of Bronsted or Lewis acids, amine boranes such as pyridine borane, 2-Picoline Borane, 2,6-diborane-methanol, dimethylamine-borane, t-BuMeiPrN-BH3, benzylamine-BH3 or 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine borane (PEMB). In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride. In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium 2-Picoline Borane.

[0234] In a preferred embodiment, the quantity of reducing agent used in step (b) is between about 0.1 and 10.0 molar equivalents, between 0.5 and 5.0 molar equivalents, or between 1.0 and 2.0 molar equivalents. In a preferred embodiment, the quantity of reducing agent used in step (b) is about 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 or 2.0 molar equivalents.

[0235] In a preferred embodiment, the duration of step (b) is between 1 hour and 60 hours, between 10 hours and 50 hours, between 40 hours and 50 hours, or between 42 hours and 46 hours. In a preferred embodiment, the duration of step (b) is about 44 hours.

[0236] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction in step (b) is maintained between 10°C and 40°C, between 15°C and 30°C or between 20°C and 26°C. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction in step (b) is maintained at about 23°C.

[0237] In a preferred embodiment, the process for the preparation of a glycoconjugate comprising S. pneumoniae serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide covalently linked to a carrier protein further comprises a step (step (c)) of capping unreacted aldehyde (quenching) by addition of NaBH 4 .

[0238] In a preferred embodiment, the quantity of NaBH 4 used in step (c) is between 0.1 and 10 molar equivalents, between 0.5 and 5.0 molar equivalents or between 1.0 and 3.0 molar equivalents. In a preferred embodiment, the quantity of NaBH 4 used in step (c) is about 2.0 molar equivalents.

[0239] In a preferred embodiment, the duration of step (c) is between 0.1 hours and 10 hours, 0.5 hours and 5 hours, or between 2 hours and 4 hours. In a preferred embodiment, the duration of step (c) is about 3 hours.

[0240] In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction in step (c) is maintained between 15°C and 45°C, between 15°C and 30°C or between 20°C and 26°C. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the reaction in step (c) is maintained at about 23°C.

[0241] In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step is greater than 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90%. In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step (step b) is greater than 60%. In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step (step b) is greater than 70%. The yield is the amount of serotype 15B polysaccharide in the conjugate x100) / amount of activated polysaccharide used in the conjugation step.

[0242] In a preferred embodiment, the process for the preparation of a glycoconjugate comprising S. pneumoniae serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide covalently linked to a carrier protein comprises the steps of: (a) sizing purified serotype 15B polysaccharide by high pressure homogenization; (b) reacting the sized serotype 15B polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent; (c) compounding the activated serotype 15B polysaccharide with a carrier protein; (d) reacting the compounded activated serotype 15B polysaccharide and carrier protein with a reducing agent to form a serotype 15B polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate; and (e) capping unreacted aldehyde (quenching) by addition of NaBH 4 .

[0243] In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step (step d) of the above process is greater than 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90%. In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step (step d) is greater than 60%. In a preferred embodiment the yield of the conjugation step (step d) is greater than 70%. The yield is the amount of serotype 15B polysaccharide in the conjugate x100) / amount of activated polysaccharide used in the conjugation step.

[0244] After conjugation of the serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to the carrier protein, the polysaccharide-protein conjugate can be purified (enriched with respect to the amount of polysaccharide-protein conjugate) by a variety of techniques known to the skilled person. These techniques include dialysis, concentration / diafiltration operations, tangential flow filtration, precipitation / elution, column chromatography (DEAE or hydrophobic interaction chromatography), and depth filtration.

[0245] The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0246] In some embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the present invention are conjugated to the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) and comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 5 kDa and 1,500 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 1,500 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 400 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa, between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa, between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa, between 8,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa, between 8,000 kDa and 16,000 kDa or between 10,000 kDa and 16,000 kDa.

[0247] In further embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of about 1,000 kDa, about 1,500 kDa, about 2,000 kDa, about 2,500 kDa, about 3,000 kDa, about 3,500 kDa, about 4,000 kDa, about 4,500 kDa, about 5,000 kDa, about 5,500 kDa, about 6,000 kDa, about 6,500 kDa, about 7,000 kDa, about 7,500 kDa, about 8,000 kDa, about 8,500 kDa, about 9,000 kDa, about 9,500 kDa about 10,000 kDa, about 10,500 kDa, about 11,000 kDa, about 11,500 kDa, about 12,000 kDa, about 12,500 kDa, about 13,000 kDa, about 13,500 kDa, about 14,000 kDa, about 14,500 kDa, about 15,000 kDa, about 15,500 kDa, about 16,000 kDa, about 16,500 kDa, about 17,000 kDa, about 17,500 kDa, about 18,000 kDa, about 18,500 kDa about 19,000 kDa, about 19,500 kDa or about 20,000 kDa.

[0248] In further embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0249] In further embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa or between 4,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 6,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa.

[0250] The molecular weight of the glycoconjugate is measured by SEC-MALLS. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, said serotype 15B glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0251] The serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio (weight by weight) of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.5 and 3.0 (e.g., about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9 or about 3.0). In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.4 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.5 and 2.0, 0.5 and 1.5, 0.5 and 1.0, 1.0 and 1.5, 1.0 and 2.0. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.7 and 0.9. The serotype 15B glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0252] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises less than about 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% or 15% of free serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises less than about 25% of free serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises less than about 20% of free serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention comprises less than about 15% of free serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0253] The serotype 15B glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate, as mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, at least 20% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention have a Kd below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 30% of the immunogenic conjugate has a Kd below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 40% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 15 glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 70% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0254] In a preferred embodiment, between 40% and 90% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 90% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 65% and 80% of the serotype 15B glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0255] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.7 mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0256] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.9. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0257] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 15B glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.9. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0258] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 mM glycerol per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.5, 0.6 or 0.7 mM glycerol per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.6 mM glycerol per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.7 mM glycerol per mM serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0259] Another way to characterize the serotype 15B glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation). The evidence for lysine modification of the carrier protein, due to covalent linkages to the polysaccharides, can be obtained by amino acid analysis using routine methods known to those of skill in the art. Conjugation results in a reduction in the number of lysine residues recovered compared to the CRM 197 protein starting material used to generate the conjugate materials.

[0260] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14 or about 15. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 15B glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 5.1.3.5 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 12F

[0261] In the glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F of the present invention, the saccharide is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide and an oligosaccharide, and the carrier protein is selected from any suitable carrier as described herein or known to those of skill in the art. In some preferred embodiments, the saccharide is a polysaccharide from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F.

[0262] In an embodiment, glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F are prepared using CDAP. The polysaccharides are activated with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide is then coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein (CRM 197 ). For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier.

[0263] Other techniques for conjugation use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0264] In an embodiment, capsular polysaccharides from serotypes 12F S. pneumoniae are conjugated to the carrier protein by reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate.

[0265] Before oxidation, the serotype 12F polysaccharide is optionally hydrolized (sized). Mechanical or chemical hydrolysis maybe employed. Chemical hydrolysis maybe conducted using acetic acid.

[0266] In an embodiment, the oxidizing agent is periodate. The term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid (see below).

[0267] In a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing agent is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) free radical and N-Chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as the cooxidant. In such embodiment, the glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F are prepared using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) free radical to oxidize primary alcohols of the saccharide to aldehydes using N-Chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as the cooxidant (hereinafter "TEMPO / NCS oxidation"), such as described at Example 7 and in WO 2014 / 097099. Therefore in one aspect, the glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F are obtainable by a method comprising the steps of: a) reacting a 12F saccharide with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) in an aqueous solvent to produce an activated saccharide, and b) reacting the activated saccharide with a carrier protein comprising one or more amine groups (hereinafter "TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination"). In one aspect, the glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F are obtained by said method. In an embodiment, the degree of oxidation of the activated 12F saccharide ranges from 1 to 50, from 1 to 40, from 1 to 30, from 1 to 20, from 1 to 10, from 1 to 5, from 3 to 40, from 3 to 30, from 3 to 20, from 3 to 10, from 4 to 40, from 4 to 30, from 4 to 20, from 4 to 10, from 5 to 30, from 5 to 25, from 5 to 20, from 5 to 10, from 6 to 50, from 6 to 40, from 6 to 30, from 6 to 20, from 6 to 15, from 6 to 14, from 6 to 13, from 6 to 12, from 6 to 11, from 6 to 10, from 7 to 40, from 7 to 30, from 7 to 20, from 7 to 15, from 7 to 14, from 7 to 13, from 7 to 12, from 7 to 11, from 7 to 10, from 8 to 40, from 8 to 30, from 8 to 20, from 8 to 15, from 8 to 14, from 8 to 13, from 8 to 12, from 8 to 11, from 8 to 10, from 9 to 40, from 9 to 30, from 9 to 20, from 9 to 15, from 10 to 40, from 10 to 30, from 10 to 20, or from 10 to 15. In a futher aspect, the degree of oxidation of the activated saccharide is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0268] In an embodiment, prior to step a), the 12F saccharide is hydrolyzed to a molecular weight ranging from 100 kDa to 400 kDa. For example, in one aspect, the molecular weight ranges from 100 kDa to 350 kDa, from 100 kDa to 300 kDa, from 100 kDa to 250 kDa, from 100 kDa to 200 kDa, from 100 kDa to 150 kDa, from 200 kDa to 400 kDa, from 200 kDa to 350 kDa, from 200 kDa to 300 kDa, from 200 kDa to 250 kDa, from 300 kda to 400 kDa, or from 300 kDa to 350 kDa.

[0269] In a further aspect, the method further comprises the step of purifying the activated polysaccharide prior to step b). In a further aspect, the methods further comprise the step of adding a reducing agent following step b). In one aspect, the reducing agent is NaCNBH 3 . In a further aspect, the methods further comprise the step of adding NaBH 4 following the addition of NaCNBH 3 . In a further aspect, the method comprises a purification step following the addition of NaBH 4 .

[0270] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F produced, or obtainable by any of the methods disclosed hereabove. For example, in one aspect the present disclosure provides a glycoconguate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F comprising a saccharide conjugated to a carrier protein that is produced or obtainable by the method comprising the steps of: a) reacting a saccharide with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) and N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) in an aqueous solvent to produce an activated saccharide; and b) reacting the activated saccharide with a carrier protein comprising one or more amine groups.

[0271] In one embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F of the present invention has a molecular weight of between about 50 kDa and about 20,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between about 200 kDa and about 10,000 kDa. In another embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F has a molecular weight of between about 500 kDa and about 5,000 kDa. In one embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F has a molecular weight of between about 1,000 kDa and about 3,000 kDa. In other embodiments the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F has a molecular weight of between about 600 kDa and about 2,800 kDa; between about 700 kDa and about 2,700 kDa; between about 1,000 kDa and about 2,000 kDa; between about 1,800 kDa and about 2,500 kDa; between about 1,100 kDa and about 2,200 kDa; between about 1,900 kDa and about 2,700 kDa; between about 1,200 kDa and about 2,400 kDa; between about 1,700 kDa and about 2,600 kDa; between about 1,300 kDa and about 2,600 kDa; between about 1,600 kDa and about 3,000 kDa.

[0272] In further embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure. The carrier protein is CRM 197 . In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0273] Another way to characterize the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide, which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation).

[0274] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 12F glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 20, between 4 and 16, between 4 and 15, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 12F glycoconjugate of the invention is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19 or about 20.

[0275] The number of lysine residues in the carrier protein conjugated to the saccharide may also be expressed as a molar ratio. For example, in a glycoconjugate where 4 to 15 lysine residues of CRM 197 are covalently linked to the saccharide, the molar ratio of conjugated lysines to CRM 197 in the glycoconjugate is between about 10:1 to about 40:1. In an immunogenic composition where 2 to 20 lysine residues of CRM 197 are covalently linked to the saccharide, the molar ratio of conjugated lysines to CRM 197 in the glycoconjugate is between about 5:1 and about 50:1. In one embodiment, in the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F of the present invention the molar ratio of conjugated lysines to carrier protein is from about 10:1 to about 25:1. In some such embodiments, the carrier protein is CRM 197 . In some embodiments, the CRM 197 may comprise about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide. In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination. In one embodiment, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.2 and 4.0 in the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F (e.g., about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3.0, about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9 or about 4.0). In another embodiment, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 1.1 and 1.7 in the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F. In other embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.8 and 1.8 (e.g., about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7 or about 1.8). The carrier protein is CRM 197 . In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0276] The frequency of attachment of the saccharide chain to a lysine on the carrier protein is another parameter for characterizing the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, there is at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide for every 100 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In one embodiment, there is at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide for every 50 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In one embodiment, there is at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide for every 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 4 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 10 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In a further embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 15 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In frequent embodiments, the covalent linkage between the CRM 197 and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 4, 10, 15 or 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide.

[0277] In other embodiments, the conjugate comprises at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and saccharide for every 5 to 10 saccharide repeat units; every 2 to 7 saccharide repeat units; every 3 to 8 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 9 saccharide repeat units; every 6 to 11 saccharide repeat units; every 7 to 12 saccharide repeat units; every 8 to 13 saccharide repeat units; every 9 to 14 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 15 saccharide repeat units; every 2 to 6 saccharide repeat units, every 3 to 7 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 8 saccharide repeat units; every 6 to 10 saccharide repeat units; every 7 to 11 saccharide repeat units; every 8 to 12 saccharide repeat units; every 9 to 13 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 14 saccharide repeat units; every 10 to 20 saccharide repeat units; every 4 to 25 saccharide repeat units or every 2 to 25 saccharide repeat units. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0278] In another embodiment, at least one linkage between CRM 197 and saccharide occurs for every 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0279] In one embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F of the invention comprises at least one covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide for every 25 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 4 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 10 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In a further embodiment, the covalent linkage between the carrier protein and the polysaccharide occurs at least once in every 15 saccharide repeat units of the polysaccharide. In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0280] The serotype 12F glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0281] In some embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention comprise less than about 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F comprises less than about 50% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In one embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F comprises less than about 45% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises less than about 30% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F comprises less than about 20% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In a further embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises less than about 10% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In another embodiment, the glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F comprises less than about 5% of free serotype 12F polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 12F polysaccharide. In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0282] In some embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate of the present invention comprises a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 400 kDa. In some such embodiments, the serotype 12F glycoconjugate is conjugated to the carrier protein by TEMPO / NCS-reductive amination.

[0283] The serotype 12F glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate, as mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, at least 35% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 70% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0284] In a preferred embodiment, between 40% and 90% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 90% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 65% and 80% of the serotype 12F glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.1.3.6 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 10A

[0285] In an embodiment, the serotype 10A glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0286] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (See Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0287] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate.

[0288] Before oxidation, the serotype 10A polysaccharide is optionally hydrolized (sized). Mechanical or chemical hydrolysis maybe employed. Chemical hydrolysis maybe conducted using acetic acid.

[0289] In an embodiment, serotype polysaccharide is activated (oxidized) by a process comprising the step of: (a) reacting isolated serotype 10A polysaccharide with an oxidizing agent; and (b) quenching the oxidation reaction by addition of a quenching agent resulting in an activated serotype 10A polysaccharide.

[0290] In a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing agent is periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid, the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate). In a preferred embodiment, the oxidizing agent is sodium periodate. In a preferred embodiment, the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 10A polysaccharide is metaperiodate. In a preferred embodiment the periodate used for the oxidation of serotype 10A polysaccharide is sodium metaperiodate.

[0291] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is selected from vicinal diols, 1,2-aminoalcohols, amino acids, glutathione, sulfite, bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate, phosphites, hypophosphites or phosphorous acid.

[0292] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a 1,2-aminoalcohols of formula (I): wherein R 1< is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl.

[0293] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is selected from sodium and potassium salts of sulfite, bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate, phosphites, hypophosphites or phosphorous acid.

[0294] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is an amino acid. In such embodiments, said amino acid may be selected from serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, methionine, proline, hydroxyproline, tryptophan, tyrosine, and histidine.

[0295] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a sulfite such as bisulfate, dithionite, metabisulfite, thiosulfate.

[0296] In one embodiment, the quenching agent is a compound comprising two vicinal hydroxyl groups (vicinal diols), i.e., two hydroxyl groups covalently linked to two adjacent carbon atoms.

[0297] Preferably, the quenching agent is a compound of formula (II): wherein R 1< and R 2< are each independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl.

[0298] In a preferred embodiment, the quenching agent is glycerol, ethylene glycol, propan-1,2-diol, butan-1,2-diol or butan-2,3-diol, ascorbic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the quenching agent is butan-2,3-diol.

[0299] In preferred embodiment, the isolated serotype 10A polysaccharide is activated by a process comprising the step of: (a) reacting isolated serotype 10A polysaccharide with periodate; and (b) quenching the oxidation reaction by addition of butan-2,3-diol resulting in an activated serotype 10A polysaccharide.

[0300] Following the oxidation step of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide is said to be activated and is referred to an "activated polysaccharide" hereinafter.

[0301] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is purified. The activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is purified according to methods known to the man skilled in the art, such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dialysis or ultrafiltration / diafiltration. For example, the activated 10A polysaccharide is purified by concentration and diafiltration using an ultrafiltration device.

[0302] In a preferred embodiment the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is between 2 and 30, between 2 and 25, between 2 and 20, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 5, between 5 and 30, between 5 and 25, between 5 and 20, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 10 and 30, between 10 and 25, between 10 and 20, between 10 and 15, between 15 and 30, between 15 and 25, between 15 and 20, between 20 to 30, or between 20 to 25. In a preferred embodiment the degree of oxidation of the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is between 2 and 10, between 4 and 8, between 4 and 6, between 6 and 8, between 6 and 12, between 8 and 14, between 9 and 11, between 10 and 16, between 12 and 16, between 14 and 18, between 16 and 20, between 16 and 18, between 18 and 22, or between 18 and 20.

[0303] In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 50 kDa and 400 kDa, between 50 kDa and 350 kDa, between 50 kDa and 300 kDa, between 50 kDa and 250 kDa, between 50 kDa and 200 kDa, between 100 kDa and 300 kDa, between 100 kDa and 250 kDa or between 100 kDa and 200 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 50 kDa and 300 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 200 kDa. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 200 kDa and a degree of oxidation between 5 and 20, between 5 and 15, between 8 and 14, between 8 and 12 or between 9 and 11. In a preferred embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide has a molecular weight between 100 kDa and 200 kDa and a degree of oxidation between 9 and 11.

[0304] The activated polysaccharide and / or the carrier protein may be lyophilised (freeze-dried), either independently (discrete lyophilization) or together (co-lyophilized).

[0305] In an embodiment, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is lyophilized, optionally in the presence of saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. In one embodiment, the lyophilized activated polysaccharide is then compounded with a solution comprising the carrier protein.

[0306] In another embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are co-lyophilised. In such embodiments, the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide is compounded with the carrier protein and lyophilized optionally in the presence of a saccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is selected from sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit. In a preferred embodiment, the saccharide is sucrose. The co-lyophilized polysaccharide and carrier protein can then be resuspended in solution and reacted with a reducing agent.

[0307] The second step of the conjugation process is the reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate (reductive amination), using a reducing agent.

[0308] The activated serotype 10A polysaccharide can be conjugated to a carrier protein by a process comprising the step of: (c) compounding the activated serotype 10A polysaccharide with a carrier protein; and (d) reacting the compounded activated serotype 10A polysaccharide and carrier protein with a reducing agent to form a serotype 10A polysaccharide-carrier protein conjugate.

[0309] In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in aqueous solvent, in another embodiment the reaction is carried out in aprotic solvent. In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) or in DMF (dimethylformamide) solvent. The DMSO or DMF solvent may be used to reconstitute the activated polysaccharide and carrier protein which has been lyophilised.

[0310] In an embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium or zinc borohydride in the presence of Bronsted or Lewis acids, amine boranes such as pyridine borane, 2-Picoline Borane, 2,6-diborane-methanol, dimethylamine-borane, t-BuMeiPrN-BH3, benzylamine-BH3 or 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine borane (PEMB). In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride.

[0311] At the end of the reduction reaction, there may be unreacted aldehyde groups remaining in the conjugates, these may be capped using a suitable capping agent. In one embodiment this capping agent is sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ).

[0312] Following conjugation of serotype 10A polysaccharide to the carrier protein, the glycoconjugate can be purified (enriched with respect to the amount of polysaccharideprotein conjugate) by a variety of techniques known to the skilled person. These techniques include dialysis, concentration / diafiltration operations, tangential flow filtration precipitation / elution, column chromatography (DEAE or hydrophobic interaction chromatography), and depth filtration.

[0313] In some embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the present invention comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 400 kDa. In some such embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0314] In some embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 15,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa, between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; or between 3,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa. In still other embodiments, the the serotype 10A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 2,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa or between 3,000 kDa and 7,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 750kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 750 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0315] In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; or between 4,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 5,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 6,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 6,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 7,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 7,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 7,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 7,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 8,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 8,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; or between 8,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa.

[0316] Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure. The molecular weight of the glycoconjugate is measured by SEC-MALLS.

[0317] Another way to characterize the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation). The evidence for lysine modification of the carrier protein, due to covalent linkages to the polysaccharides, can be obtained by amino acid analysis using routine methods known to those of skill in the art. Conjugation results in a reduction in the number of lysine residues recovered compared to the CRM 197 protein starting material used to generate the conjugate materials.

[0318] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 10A glycoconjugate is between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 an 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 10A glycoconjugate is between 6 and 8. The carrier protein is CRM 197

[0319] The serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In some embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.5 and 3.0 (e.g., about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9 or about 3.0). In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 10A saccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.5 and 2.0, 0.5 and 1.5, 0.5 and 1.0, 1.0 and 1.5 or 1.0 and 2.0. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 10A polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.8 and 1.4. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of serotype 10A capsular polysaccharide to carrier protein in the conjugate is between 0.8 and 1.2 (e.g., about 0.8, about 0.9 about 1.0, about 1.1, or about 1.2). The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0320] The serotype 10A glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0321] In some embodiments, the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention comprise less than about 50% free saccharide, less than about 45% free saccharide, less than about 40% free saccharide, less than about 35% free saccharide, less than about 30% free saccharide, less than about 25% free saccharide, less than about 20% free saccharide, less than about 15% free saccharide, less than about 10% free saccharide, or less than about 5% free saccharide relative to the total amount of 10A saccharide. Preferably, the serotype 10A glycoconjugate comprises less than 15% free saccharide, more preferably less than 10% free saccharide, and still more preferably, less than 5% of free saccharide.

[0322] The serotype 10A glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate, as mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, at least 30% of the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 40% of the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 10A glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 80% of the serotype 10A glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.1.3.7 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 11A

[0323] In an embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0324] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979). Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr. 218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0325] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate.

[0326] Before oxidation, the serotype 11A polysaccharide is optionally hydrolized to reduce its viscosity. Mechanical or chemical hydrolysis maybe employed. Chemical hydrolysis maybe conducted using acetic acid. Mechanical sizing maybe conducted using High Pressure Homogenization Shearing.

[0327] The oxidation step may involve reaction with periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid; the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate). In an embodiment the capsular polysaccharidefrom serotype 11A of S. pneumoniae is oxydized in the presence of metaperiodate, preferably in the presence of sodium periodate (NaIO 4 ). In another embodiment the capsular polysaccharide from serotype 11A is oxydized in the presence of orthoperiodate, preferably in the presence of periodic acid.

[0328] Following the oxidation step of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide is said to be activated and is referred to as "activated polysaccharide" here below. The activated polysaccharide maybe purified and lyophilised (freeze-dried).

[0329] The activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein may be lyophilized (freeze-dried), either independently (discrete lyophilization) or together (co-lyophilized). In one embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are co-lyophilized. In another embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are lyophilized independently.

[0330] In one embodiment the lyophilization takes place in the presence of a non-reducing sugar, possible non-reducing sugars include sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit.

[0331] The second step of the conjugation process is the reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate (reductive amination), using a reducing agent. Reducing agents which are suitable include the cyanoborohydrides, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, borane-pyridine, or borohydride exchange resin. In one embodiment the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride.

[0332] In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in aqueous solvent, in another embodiment the reaction is carried out in aprotic solvent. In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) or in DMF (dimethylformamide) solvent. The DMSO or DMF solvent may be used to reconstitute the activated polysaccharide and carrier protein which has been lyophilised.

[0333] In one embodiment between 0.1 and 3.0, between 0.15 and 2.0, between 0.2 and 2.0, or between 0.5 and 1.5 molar equivalents of sodium cyanoborohydride is used in the reduction reaction. In one embodiment about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0 molar equivalents of sodium cyanoborohydride is used in the reduction reaction.

[0334] In one embodiment the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride. In a further embodiment between 1.0 and 6.0 molar equivalents, between 2.0 and 5.0 molar equivalents or about 3.0 molar equivalents of sodium triacetoxyborohydride is used in the reduction reaction.

[0335] At the end of the reduction reaction, there may be unreacted aldehyde groups remaining in the conjugates. These may be capped using a suitable capping agent. In one embodiment this capping agent is sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). In an embodiment capping is achieved by mixing the reduction reaction with between 0.5 and 5.0 molar equivalents of NaBH4, for example about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 molar equivalents of NaBH 4 .

[0336] Following the conjugation (the reduction reaction and optionally the capping), the glycoconjugates may be purified. The glycoconjugates may be purified by diafiltration and / or ion exchange chromatography and / or size exclusion chromatography. In an embodiment, the glycoconjugates are purified by diafiltration or ion exchange chromatography or size exclusion chromatography.

[0337] In one embodiment the glycoconjugates are sterile filtered.

[0338] In some embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the present invention are conjugated to the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) and comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 400 kDa; between 50 kDa and 300 kDa; between 50 kDa and 200 kDa; between 50 kDa and 100 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 400 kDa between; 100 kDa and 300 kDa; between 100 kDa and 200 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 400 kDa or between 200 kDa and 300 kDa.

[0339] In some embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 15,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In still other embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa or between 2,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa.

[0340] In further embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 700 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 700kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 700kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 700kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 700 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 4,500 kDa; between 700 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 3,500 kDa; between 700 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 700 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0341] In further embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; or between 4,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 17,500 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 5,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa.

[0342] In an embodiment, said serotype 11A glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0343] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, 2.6, 3.0, 3.4, 3.8, 4.2, 4.6 or 5.0 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate comprises at least 1.8, 2.2 or 2.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In an embodiment, the glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, 2.6, 3.0, 3.4, 3.8, 4.2 or 4.6 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide and less than about 5.0 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In an embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, 2.6, or 3.0 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide and less than about 3.4 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In an embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, 2.6, or about 3.0 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide and less than about 3.3 mM acetate per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. Any of the above number is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0344] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the isolated polysaccharide is at least 0.9. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0345] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, or 0.95. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the serotype 11A glycoconjugate to mM acetate per mM serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide in the activated polysaccharide is at least 0.9. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of O-acetyl groups is determined by ion-HPLC analysis.

[0346] In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 or 1.0 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate comprises at least 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide and less than about 1.0 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention comprises at least 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, or 0.7 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide and less than about 0.8 mM glycerol per mM serotype 11A polysaccharide. Any of the above number is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0347] Another way to characterize the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation).

[0348] The evidence for lysine modification of the carrier protein, due to covalent linkages to the polysaccharides, can be obtained by amino acid analysis using routine methods known to those of skill in the art. Conjugation results in a reduction in the number of lysine residues recovered compared to the CRM 197 protein starting material used to generate the conjugate materials.

[0349] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention is between 1 and 15, between 1 and 13, between 1 and 10, between 1 and 8, between 1 and 6, between 1 and 5, between 1 and 4, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention is about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14 or about 15. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 11A glycoconjugate of the invention is between 1 and 6 or between 2 and 5. The carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0350] The serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In some embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.2 and 4.0 (e.g., about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3.0, about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9 or about 4.0). In other embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.7 and 2.5, between 0.8 and 2.0, between 0.7 and 2.0, between 0.8 and 1.5, between 0.7 and 1.5, 0.7 and 1.4, between 0.8 and 1.4, between 0.7 and 1.45 or between 0.8 and 1.45. In further embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.8 and 1.6 (e.g., about 0.8, about 0.9 about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5 or about 1.6). The carrier protein is CRM 197 . In an embodiment, said serotype 11A glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0351] The serotype 11A glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0352] In some embodiments, the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention comprise less than about 50% of free serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide, less than about 45% free saccharide, less than about 40% free saccharide, less than about 35% free saccharide, less than about 30% free saccharide, less than about 25% free saccharide, less than about 20% free saccharide, less than about 15% free saccharide, less than about 10% free saccharide, or less than about 5% of free serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide compared to the total amount of serotype 11A capsular polysaccharide. Preferably, the serotype 11A glycoconjugate comprises less than 15% free saccharide, more preferably less than 10% free saccharide, and still more preferably, less than 5% of free saccharide.

[0353] The serotype 11A glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate, as mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, at least 30% of the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 65% of the serotype 11A glycoconjugates of the invention has a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.1.3.8 Glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae Serotype 8

[0354] In an embodiment, the serotype 8 glycoconjugates are obtained by activating polysaccharide with 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) to form a cyanate ester. The activated polysaccharide may be coupled directly or via a spacer (linker) group to an amino group on the carrier protein. For example, the spacer could be cystamine or cysteamine to give a thiolated polysaccharide which could be coupled to the carrier via a thioether linkage obtained after reaction with a maleimide-activated carrier protein (for example using GMBS) or a haloacetylated carrier protein (for example using iodoacetimide, SIB, SIAB, sulfo-SIAB, SIA, or SBAP). Preferably, the cyanate ester (optionally made by CDAP chemistry) is coupled with hexane diamine or adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) and the amino-derivatised saccharide is conjugated to the carrier protein using carbodiimide (e.g., EDAC or EDC) chemistry via a carboxyl group on the protein carrier. Such conjugates are described for example in WO 93 / 15760, WO 95 / 08348 and WO 96 / 129094.

[0355] Other suitable techniques use carbodiimides, hydrazides, active esters, norborane, p-nitrobenzoic acid, N-hydroxysuccinimide, S--NHS, EDC, TSTU. Many are described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98 / 42721. Conjugation may involve a carbonyl linker which may be formed by reaction of a free hydroxyl group of the saccharide with CDI (see Bethell et al. (1979) J. Biol. Chern. 254:2572-2574; Hearn et al. (1981) J. Chromatogr.218:509-518) followed by reaction with a protein to form a carbamate linkage. This may involve reduction of the anomeric terminus to a primary hydroxyl group, optional protection / deprotection of the primary hydroxyl group, reaction of the primary hydroxyl group with CDI to form a CDI carbamate intermediate and coupling the CDI carbamate intermediate with an amino group on a protein.

[0356] In preferred embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention are prepared using reductive amination. Reductive amination involves two steps: (1) oxidation of the polysaccharide to generate aldehyde functionalities from vicinal diols in individual hexasaccharide unit and (2) reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate.

[0357] Before oxidation, the serotype 8 polysaccharide is optionally hydrolized to reduce its viscosity. Mechanical or chemical hydrolysis maybe employed. Chemical hydrolysis maybe conducted using acetic acid.

[0358] The oxidation step may involve reaction with periodate. For the purpose of the present invention, the term "periodate" includes both periodate and periodic acid; the term also includes both metaperiodate (IO 4 -< ) and orthoperiodate (IO 6 5-< ) and the various salts of periodate (e.g., sodium periodate and potassium periodate). In an embodiment the capsular polysaccharidefrom serotype 8 of S. pneumoniae is oxydized in the presence of metaperiodate, preferably in the presence of sodium periodate (NaIO 4 ). In another embodiment the capsular polysaccharide from serotype 8 is oxydized in the presence of orthoperiodate, preferably in the presence of periodic acid.

[0359] Following the oxidation step of the polysaccharide, the polysaccharide is said to be activated and is referred to as "activated polysaccharide" here below. The activated polysaccharide maybe purified and lyophilised (freeze-dried).

[0360] The activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein may be lyophilised (freeze-dried), either independently (discrete lyophilization) or together (co-lyophilized). In one embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are co-lyophilised. In another embodiment the activated polysaccharide and the carrier protein are lyophilised independently.

[0361] In one embodiment the lyophilisation takes place in the presence of a non-reducing sugar, possible non-reducing sugars include sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, stachyose, melezitose, dextran, mannitol, lactitol and palatinit.

[0362] The second step of the conjugation process is the reduction of the activated polysaccharide and a carrier protein to form a conjugate (reductive amination), using a reducing agent. Reducing agents which are suitable include the cyanoborohydrides, such as sodium cyanoborohydride, borane-pyridine, or borohydride exchange resin. In one embodiment the reducing agent is sodium cyanoborohydride.

[0363] In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in aqueous solvent, in another embodiment the reaction is carried out in aprotic solvent. In an embodiment, the reduction reaction is carried out in DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) or in DMF (dimethylformamide) solvent. The DMSO or DMF solvent may be used to reconstitute the activated polysaccharide and carrier protein which has been lyophilised.

[0364] In one embodiment between 0.1 and 3.0, between 0.15 and 2.0, between 0.2 and 1.0, or between 0.25 and 0.5 molar equivalents of sodium cyanoborohydride is used in the reduction reaction. In one embodiment about 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0 molar equivalents of sodium cyanoborohydride is used in the reduction reaction.

[0365] In one embodiment the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride. In a further embodiment between 1.0 and 6.0 molar equivalents, between 2.0 and 5.0 molar equivalents or about 3.0 molar equivalents of sodium triacetoxyborohydride is used in the reduction reaction.

[0366] At the end of the reduction reaction, there may be unreacted aldehyde groups remaining in the conjugates, these may be capped using a suitable capping agent. In one embodiment this capping agent is sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ). In an embodiment capping is achieved by mixing the reduction reaction with between 0.5 and 5.0 molar equivalents of NaBH 4 , for example about 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 molar equivalents of NaBH 4 .

[0367] Following the conjugation (the reduction reaction and optionally the capping), the glycoconjugates may be purified. The glycoconjugates maybe purified by diafiltration and / or ion exchange chromatography and / or size exclusion chromatography. In an embodiment, the glycoconjugates are purified by diafiltration or ion exchange chromatography or size exclusion chromatography.

[0368] In one embodiment the glycoconjugates are sterile filtered.

[0369] In some embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the present invention are conjugated to the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) and comprise a saccharide having a molecular weight of between 10 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In other such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 2,000 kDa. In further such embodiments, the saccharide has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 50 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 50 kDa and 750 kDa; between 50 kDa and 500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 100 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 100 kDa and 750 kDa; between 100 kDa and 500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,750 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,250 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 750 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 500 kDa; or between 200 kDa and 400 kDa. In an embodiment, said serotype 8 glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0370] In some embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 50 kDa and 15,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In other embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa. In still other embodiments, the the serotype 8 glycoconjugate has a molecular weight of between 1,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa or between 2,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa.

[0371] In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 200 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 200 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 200 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 500 kDa and 1,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 750kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 750kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 750 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 3,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 2,000 kDa; between 750 kDa and 1,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; between 1,000 kDa and 2,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 2,000 kDa and 4,000 kDa; or between 2,000 kDa and 3,000 kDa.

[0372] In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 3,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 3,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 12,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa; between 4,000 kDa and 6,000 kDa; or between 4,000 kDa and 5,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 5,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 5,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 5,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 6,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 6,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 6,000 kDa and 7,500 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 7,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 7,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; between 7,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa or between 7,000 kDa and 8,000 kDa. In further embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention has a molecular weight of between 8,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa; between 8,000 kDa and 15,000 kDa; or between 8,000 kDa and 10,000 kDa.

[0373] In an embodiment, said serotype 8 glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0374] Another way to characterize the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention is by the number of lysine residues in the carrier protein (CRM 197 ) that become conjugated to the saccharide which can be characterized as a range of conjugated lysines (degree of conjugation).

[0375] The evidence for lysine modification of the carrier protein, due to covalent linkages to the polysaccharides, can be obtained by amino acid analysis using routine methods known to those of skill in the art. In frequent embodiments, the carrier protein is covalently conjugated to activated polysaccharide through an amine linkage to one or more ε-amino groups of lysine residues on the carrier protein. In some such embodiments, the carrier protein comprises 2 to 20 lysine residues covalently conjugated to the saccharide. In other such embodiments, the carrier protein comprises 4 to 16 or 6 to 14 lysine residues covalently conjugated to the saccharide.

[0376] In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention is between 2 and 20, between 2 and 15, between 2 and 13, between 2 and 10, between 2 and 8, between 2 and 6, between 2 and 5, between 2 and 4, between 3 and 15, between 3 and 13, between 3 and 10, between 3 and 8, between 3 and 6, between 3 and 5, between 3 and 4, between 5 and 15, between 5 and 10, between 8 and 15, between 8 and 12, between 10 and 15 or between 10 and 12. In an embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14 or about 15. In a preferred embodiment, the degree of conjugation of the serotype 8 glycoconjugate of the invention is between 4 and 16 or between 6 and 14.

[0377] The carrier protein is CRM 197 , which contains 39 lysine residues. In some such embodiments, the CRM 197 may comprise between 4 and 16 or between 6 and 14 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide. Another way to express this parameter is that about 10% to about 41% or about 15% to about 36% of CRM 197 lysines are covalently linked to the saccharide. In another such embodiment, the CRM 197 may comprise 2 to 20 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide. Another way to express this parameter is that about 5% to about 50% of CRM 197 lysines are covalently linked to the saccharide. In some such embodiments, the CRM 197 may comprise about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 lysine residues out of 39 covalently linked to the saccharide.

[0378] The serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention may also be characterized by the ratio (weight / weight) of saccharide to carrier protein. In some embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.2 and 4.0 (e.g., about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.7, about 1.8, about 1.9, about 2.0, about 2.1, about 2.2, about 2.3, about 2.4, about 2.5, about 2.6, about 2.7, about 2.8, about 2.9, about 3.0, about 3.1, about 3.2, about 3.3, about 3.4, about 3.5, about 3.6, about 3.7, about 3.8, about 3.9 or about 4.0). In other embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.7 and 2.5. In further embodiments, the saccharide to carrier protein ratio (w / w) is between 0.8 and 1.5 (e.g., about 0.8, about 0.9 about 1.0, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4 or about 1.5). The carrier protein is CRM 197 . In an embodiment, said serotype 8 glycoconjugates are prepared using reductive amination.

[0379] The serotype 8 glycoconjugates and immunogenic compositions of the invention may contain free saccharide that is not covalently conjugated to the carrier protein, but is nevertheless present in the glycoconjugate composition. The free saccharide may be noncovalently associated with (i.e., noncovalently bound to, adsorbed to, or entrapped in or with) the glycoconjugate.

[0380] In some embodiments, the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention comprise less than about 50% free saccharide, less than about 45% free saccharide, less than about 40% free saccharide, less than about 35% free saccharide, less than about 30% free saccharide, less than about 25% free saccharide, less than about 20% free saccharide, less than about 15% free saccharide, less than about 10% free saccharide, or less than about 5% free saccharide relative to the total amount of serotype 8 saccharide. Preferably, the serotype 8 glycoconjugate comprises less than 15% free saccharide, more preferably less than 10% free saccharide, and still more preferably, less than 5% of free saccharide.

[0381] The serotype 8 glycoconjugates may also be characterized by their molecular size distribution (K d ). Size exclusion chromatography media (CL-4B) can be used to determine the relative molecular size distribution of the conjugate. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) is used in gravity fed columns to profile the molecular size distribution of conjugates. Large molecules excluded from the pores in the media elute more quickly than small molecules. Fraction collectors are used to collect the column eluate. The fractions are tested colorimetrically by saccharide assay. For the determination of K d , columns are calibrated to establish the fraction at which molecules are fully excluded (V 0 ), (K d =0), and the fraction representing the maximum retention (V i ), (K d =1). The fraction at which a specified sample attribute is reached (V e ), is related to K d by the expression, K d = (V e - V 0 ) / (V i - V 0 ).

[0382] In a preferred embodiment, at least 40% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 60% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, at least 70% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates of the invention have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.

[0383] In a preferred embodiment, between 40% and 90% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 50% and 90% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column. In a preferred embodiment, between 65% and 80% of the serotype 8 glycoconjugates have a K d below or equal to 0.3 in a CL-4B column.2. First Immunogenic compositions of the present invention

[0384] The first immunogenic composition of the invention comprises a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 22F (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.2 above), a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.3 above), a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.5 above), a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 10A (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.6 above), a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 11A (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.7 above) and a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8 (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.8 above) wherein said composition is a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition and wherein said glycoconjugates are individually conjugated to CRM 197 .

[0385] In an embodiment the dosage of the above immunogenic composition is as disclosed at section 5 below.

[0386] In an embodiment the above immunogenic compositions further comprise antigen(s) from other pathogens, particularly from bacteria and / or viruses such as disclosed at section 6 below.

[0387] In an embodiment the above immunogenic compositions further comprise one or more adjuvants as disclosed at section 6 below.

[0388] In an embodiment the above immunogenic compositions are formulated as disclosed at section 8 below.3. Immunogenic compositions to be used in combination with the first immunogenic compositions of the present invention

[0389] The immunogenic compositions of the invention (the ones of section 2 above) are used in combination with a second immunogenic composition.

[0390] Said second immunogenic composition is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition wherein said 13 conjugates consists of glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F individually conjugated to CRM 197 . )

[0391] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions further comprise antigen(s) from other pathogen(s), particularly from bacteria and / or viruses such as disclosed at section 6 below.

[0392] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions further comprise one or more adjuvants as disclosed at section 7 below.

[0393] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions are formulated as disclosed at section 8 below.

[0394] In an embodiment, the first immunogenic compositions of the invention (the ones of section 2 above) are used in combination with PREVNAR 13 ®< (PREVENAR 13 ®< in some countries) (tridecavalent vaccine).4. Kit of the present disclosure

[0395] In an aspect, the disclosure provides a kit comprising: (a) a first immunogenic composition, as defined at section 2 above; and (b) a second immunogenic composition which is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition wherein said 13 conjugates consists of glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 23F, 22F and 33F individually conjugated to CRM 197 .

[0396] In an embodiment the dosage of above second immunogenic is as disclosed at section 5 below.

[0397] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions further comprise antigens from other pathogens, particularly from bacteria and / or viruses such as disclosed at section 6 below.

[0398] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions further comprise one or more adjuvants as disclosed at section 7 below.

[0399] In an embodiment the above second immunogenic compositions are formulated as disclosed at section 8 below.

[0400] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions of the invention (the ones of section 2 above) are used in combination with PREVNAR 13 ®< (PREVENAR 13 ®< in some countries) (tridecavalent vaccine).

[0401] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the kit takes the form of two containers. Therefore, in one instance of the present disclosure each of the immunogenic compositions of the kit (i.e., the first immunogenic composition and the second immunogenic compositoin) is comprised in a separate container.

[0402] In one instance, the first immunogenic composition of the kit (part (a) of the kit) is comprised in a container selected from the group consisting of a vial, a syringe, a flask, a fermentor, a bioreactor, a bag, a jar, an ampoule, a cartridge and a disposable pen. In certain instances, the container is siliconized.

[0403] In one instance, the second immunogenic composition of the kit (part (b) of the kit) is comprised in a container selected from the group consisting of a vial, a syringe, a flask, a fermentor, a bioreactor, a bag, a jar, an ampoule, a cartridge and a disposable pen. In certain instances, the container is siliconized.

[0404] In an instance, the container is made of glass, metals (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) and / or polymers (e.g., thermoplastics, elastomers, thermoplastic-elastomers). In an instance, the container is made of glass.

[0405] In one instance, the first and second immunogenic compositions of the kit are comprised in a syringe or a disposable pen. In one instance, the first and second immunogenic compositions of the kit are comprised in a syringe. In certain instances, the syringes are siliconized. In certain instances, the siliconized syringes are made of glass.

[0406] In an instance, the first and / or second immunogenic composition of the kit is / are in lyophilized form.

[0407] In an instance, the first immunogenic composition of the kit is in lyophilized form and the second immunogenic composition is in liquid form. In another instance, the second immunogenic composition of the kit is in lyophilized form and the first immunogenic composition is in liquid form.

[0408] In an instance, the kit comprises a ready-filled syringe and a vial. In one instance the syringe comprises a single dose of the first immongenic composition and the vial comprises a single dose of the second immunogenic composition. In an instance the syringe comprises a single dose of the second immongenic composition and the vial comprises a single dose of the first immunogenic composition. In another instance, the syringe and the vial comprise multiple doses.5. Dosage of the immunogenic compositions

[0409] The amount of glycoconjugate(s) in each dose is selected as an amount which induces an immunoprotective response without significant, adverse side effects in typical vaccinees. Such amount will vary depending upon which specific immunogen is employed and how it is presented.5.1 Glycoconjugate amount

[0410] The amount of a particular glycoconjugate in an immunogenic composition can be calculated based on total polysaccharide for that conjugate (conjugated and nonconjugated). For example, a glycoconjugate with 20% free polysaccharide has about 80 µg of conjugated polysaccharide and about 20 µg of nonconjugated polysaccharide in a 100 µg polysaccharide dose. The amount of glycoconjugate can vary depending upon the pneumococcal serotype. The saccharide concentration can be determined by the uronic acid assay.

[0411] The "immunogenic amount" of the different polysaccharide components in the immunogenic composition, may diverge and each may comprise about 1 µg, about 2 µg, about 3 µg, about 4 µg, about 5 µg, about 6 µg, about 7 µg, about 8 µg, about 9 µg, about 10 µg, about 15 µg, about 20 µg, about 30 µg, about 40 µg, about 50 µg, about 60 µg, about 70 µg, about 80 µg, about 90 µg, or about 100 µg of any particular polysaccharide antigen.

[0412] Generally, each dose comprises 0.1 µg to 100 µg of polysaccharide for a given serotype, particularly 0.5 µg to 20 µg, more particulary 1.0 µg to 10 µg, and even more more particularly 2.0 µg to 5.0 µg. Any whole number integer within any of the above ranges is contemplated as an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0413] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 1.0 µg, about 1.2 µg, about 1.4 µg, about 1.6 µg, about 1.8 µg, about 2.0 µg, about 2.2 µg, about 2.4 µg, about 2.6 µg, about 2.8 µg, about 3.0 µg, about 3.2 µg, about 3.4 µg, about 3.6 µg, about 3.8 µg, about 4.0 µg, about 4.2 µg, about 4.4 µg, about 4.6 µg, about 4.8 µg, about 5.0 µg, about 5.2 µg, about 5.4 µg, about 5.6 µg, about 5.8 µg or about 6.0 µg of polysaccharide for each particular glycoconjugate.

[0414] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 1.1 µg, about 1.2 µg, about 1.3 µg, about 1.4 µg, about 1.5 µg, about 1.6 µg, about 1.7 µg, about 1.8 µg, about 1.9 µg, about 2.0 µg, about 2.1 µg, about 2.2 µg, about 2.3 µg, about 2.4 µg, about 2.5 µg, about 2.6 µg, about 2.7 µg, about 2.8 µg, about 2.9 µg, or about 3.0 µg µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and / or 33F.

[0415] In an embodiment, each dose will comprise about 1.1 µg, about 1.2 µg, about 1.3 µg, about 1.4 µg, about 1.5 µg, about 1.6 µg, about 1.7 µg, about 1.8 µg, about 1.9 µg, about 2.0 µg, about 2.1 µg, about 2.2 µg, about 2.3 µg, about 2.4 µg, about 2.5 µg, about 2.6 µg, about 2.7 µg, about 2.8 µg, about 2.9 µg, or about 3.0 µg µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F and 33F.

[0416] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 2.0 µg, about 2.2 µg, about 2.4 µg, about 2.6 µg, about 2.8 µg, about 3.0 µg, about 3.2 µg, about 3.4 µg, about 3.6 µg, about 3.8 µg, about 4.0 µg, about 4.2 µg, about 4.4 µg, about 4.6 µg, about 4.8 µg, about 5.0, about 5.2 µg, about 5.4 µg, about 5.6 µg, about 5.8 µg or about 6.0 µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugates from S. pneumoniae serotype 6B.

[0417] In an embodiment, each dose compris about 1.5 µg to about 3.0 µg of polysaccharide for each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and / or 33F, and about 3.0 µg to about 6.0 µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 6B.

[0418] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 2.0 µg to about 2.5 µg of polysaccharide for each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and / or 33F, and about 4.0 µg to about 4.8 µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 6B.

[0419] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 2.2 µg of polysaccharide from each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and / or 33F, and about 4.4 µg of polysaccharide for glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 6B.

[0420] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 1.5 µg to about 3.0 µg of polysaccharide for each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F and 33F

[0421] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 2.0 µg to about 2.5 µg of polysaccharide for each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F and 33F.

[0422] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 2.2 µg of polysaccharide from each glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 22F and 33F.5.2 Carrier amount

[0423] Generally, each dose of an immunogenic composition of the invention comprises 1 µg to 150 µg of carrier protein, particularly 10 µg to 100 µg of carrier protein, more particularly 15 µg to 50 µg of carrier protein, and even more particularly 16 µg to 40 µg of carrier protein, said carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0424] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about 1 µg, about 2 µg, about 3 µg, about 4 µg, about 5 µg, about 6 µg, about 7 µg, about 8 µg, about 9 µg, about 10 µg, about 11 µg, about 12 µg, about 13 µg, about 14 µg, about 15 µg, about 16 µg, about 17 µg, about 18 µg, about 19 µg, about 20 µg, about 21 µg, about 22 µg, about 23 µg, about 24 µg, about 25 µg, about 26 µg, about 27 µg, about 28 µg, about 29 µg, about 30 µg, about 31 µg, about 32 µg, about 33 µg, about 34 µg, about 35 µg, about 36 µg, about 37 µg, about 38 µg, about 39 µg, about 40 µg, about 41 µg, about 42 µg, about 43 µg, about 44 µg, about 45 µg, about 46 µg, about 47 µg, about 48 µg, about 49 µg, about 50 µg, about 51 µg, about 52 µg, about 53 µg, about 54 µg, about 55 µg, about 56 µg, about 57 µg, about 58 µg, about 59 µg, about 60 µg, about 61 µg, about 62 µg, about 63 µg, about 64 µg, about 65 µg, about 66 µg, about 67 µg, about 68 µg, about 69 µg, about 70 µg, about 71 µg, about 72 µg, about 73 µg, about 74 µg or about 75 µg of carrier protein, said carrier protein is CRM 197 .

[0425] In an embodiment, each dose comprises about about 10 µg, about 11 µg, about 12 µg, about 13 µg, about 14 µg, about 15 µg, about 16 µg, about 17 µg, about 18 µg, about 19 µg, about 20 µg, about 21 µg, about 22 µg, about 23 µg, about 24 µg, about 25 µg, about 26 µg, about 27 µg, about 28 µg, about 29 µg, or about 30 µg of carrier protein, said carrier protein is CRM 197 .6. Further antigens

[0426] Immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise conjugated S. pneumoniae saccharide antigens (glycoconjugates). They may also further include at least one antigen from other pathogens, particularly from bacteria and / or viruses.

[0427] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition disclosed herein further comprises at least one antigen selected from the group consisting of a diphtheria toxoid (D), a tetanus toxoid (T), a pertussis antigen (P), an acellular pertussis antigen (Pa), a hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg), a hepatitis A virus (HAV) antigen, a conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular saccharide (Hib), and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV).

[0428] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise D-T-Pa. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise D-T-Pa-Hib, D-T-Pa-IPV or D-T-Pa-HBsAg. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV or D-T-Pa-HBsAg-Hib. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise D-T-Pa-HBsAg-IPV-Hib.

[0429] Pertussis antigens: Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. Pertussis antigens in vaccines are either cellular (whole cell, in the form of inactivated B. pertussis cells) or acellular. Preparation of cellular pertussis antigens is well documented (e.g., it may be obtained by heat inactivation of phase I culture of B. pertussis). Preferably, however, the invention uses acellular antigens. Where acellular antigens are used, it is preferred to use one, two or (preferably) three of the following antigens: (1) detoxified pertussis toxin (pertussis toxoid, or PT); (2) filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA); (3) pertactin (also known as the 69 kiloDalton outer membrane protein). FHA and pertactin may be treated with formaldehyde prior to use according to the invention. PT is preferably detoxified by treatment with formaldehyde and / or glutaraldehyde. Acellular pertussis antigens are preferably adsorbed onto one or more aluminum salt adjuvants. As an alternative, they may be added in an unadsorbed state. Where pertactin is added, it is preferably already adsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. PT and FHA may be adsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant or an aluminum phosphate. Adsorption of all of PT, FHA and pertactin to aluminum hydroxide is most preferred.

[0430] Inactivated poliovirus vaccine: Poliovirus causes poliomyelitis. Rather than use oral poliovirus vaccine, preferred embodiments of the invention use IPV. Prior to administration to patients, polioviruses must be inactivated, and this can be achieved by treatment with formaldehyde. Poliomyelitis can be caused by one of three types of poliovirus. The three types are similar and cause identical symptoms, but they are antigenically different and infection by one type does not protect against infection by others. It is therefore preferred to use three poliovirus antigens in the invention: poliovirus Type 1 (e.g., Mahoney strain), poliovirus Type 2 (e.g., MEF-1 strain), and poliovirus Type 3 (e.g., Saukett strain). The viruses are preferably grown, purified and inactivated individually, and are then combined to give a bulk trivalent mixture for use with the invention.

[0431] Diphtheria toxoid: Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria. Diphtheria toxin can be treated (e.g., using formalin or formaldehyde) to remove toxicity while retaining the ability to induce specific anti-toxin antibodies after injection. These diphtheria toxoids are used in diphtheria vaccines. Preferred diphtheria toxoids are those prepared by formaldehyde treatment. The diphtheria toxoid can be obtained by growing C. diphtheriae in growth medium, followed by formaldehyde treatment, ultrafiltration and precipitation. The toxoided material may then be treated by a process comprising sterile filtration and / or dialysis. The diphtheria toxoid is preferably adsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.

[0432] Tetanus toxoid: Clostridium tetani causes tetanus. Tetanus toxin can be treated to give a protective toxoid. The toxoids are used in tetanus vaccines. Preferred tetanus toxoids are those prepared by formaldehyde treatment. The tetanus toxoid can be obtained by growing C. tetani in growth medium, followed by formaldehyde treatment, ultrafiltration and precipitation. The material may then be treated by a process comprising sterile filtration and / or dialysis.

[0433] Hepatitis A virus antigens: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the known agents which causes viral hepatitis. A preferred HAV component is based on inactivated virus, and inactivation can be achieved by formalin treatment.

[0434] Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the known agents which causes viral hepatitis. The major component of the capsid is a protein known as HBV surface antigen or, more commonly, HBsAg, which is typically a 226-amino acid polypeptide with a molecular weight of ~24 kDa. All existing hepatitis B vaccines contain HBsAg, and when this antigen is administered to a normal vaccinee, it stimulates the production of anti-HBsAg antibodies which protect against HBV infection.

[0435] For vaccine manufacture, HBsAg has been made in two ways: purification of the antigen in particulate form from the plasma of chronic hepatitis B carriers or expression of the protein by recombinant DNA methods (e.g., recombinant expression in yeast cells). Unlike native HBsAg (i.e., as in the plasma-purified product), yeast-expressed HBsAg is generally non-glycosylated, and this is the most preferred form of HBsAg for use with the invention.

[0436] Conjugated Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) causes bacterial meningitis. Hib vaccines are typically based on the capsular saccharide antigen, the preparation of which is well documented. The Hib saccharide can be conjugated to a carrier protein in order to enhance its immunogenicity, especially in children. Typical carrier proteins are tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, CRM 197 , H.influenzae protein D, and an outer membrane protein complex from serogroup B meningococcus. The saccharide moiety of the conjugate may comprise full-length polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) as prepared from Hib bacteria, and / or fragments of full-length PRP. Hib conjugates may or may not be adsorbed to an aluminum salt adjuvant.

[0437] In an embodiment the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further include a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup Y capsular saccharide (MenY), and / or a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup C capsular saccharide (MenC).

[0438] In an embodiment the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further include a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup A capsular saccharide (MenA), a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup W135 capsular saccharide (MenW135), a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup Y capsular saccharide (MenY), and / or a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup C capsular saccharide (MenC).

[0439] In an embodiment the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein further include a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup W135 capsular saccharide (MenW135), a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup Y capsular saccharide (MenY), and / or a conjugated N. meningitidis serogroup C capsular saccharide (MenC).

[0440] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein any of the above further antigen(s) is part of the first immunogenic composition (part (a) of the kit).

[0441] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein any of the above further antigen(s) is part of the second immunogenic composition (part (b) of the kit).

[0442] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein any of the above further antigen(s) is part of the first immunogenic composition (part (a) of the kit) and any of the above further antigen(s) is part of the second immunogenic composition (part (b) of the kit).7. Adjuvant(s)

[0443] In some embodiments, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein may further comprise at least one, two or three adjuvants. The term "adjuvant" refers to a compound or mixture that enhances the immune response to an antigen. Antigens may act primarily as a delivery system, primarily as an immune modulator or have strong features of both. Suitable adjuvants include those suitable for use in mammals, including humans.

[0444] Examples of known suitable delivery-system type adjuvants that can be used in humans include, but are not limited to, alum (e.g., aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate or aluminum hydroxide), calcium phosphate, liposomes, oil-in-water emulsions such as MF59 (4.3% w / v squalene, 0.5% w / v polysorbate 80 (TWEEN ®< 80), 0.5% w / v sorbitan trioleate (Span 85)), water-in-oil emulsions such as MONTANIDE ™< , and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles or nanoparticles.

[0445] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise aluminum salts (alum) as adjuvant (e.g., aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate or aluminum hydroxide). In a preferred embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise from 0.1 mg / mL to 1 mg / mL or from 0.2 mg / mL to 0.3 mg / mL of elemental aluminum in the form of aluminum phosphate. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise about 0.25 mg / mL of elemental aluminum in the form of aluminum phosphate. Examples of known suitable immune modulatory type adjuvants that can be used in humans include, but are not limited to, saponin extracts from the bark of the Aquilla tree (QS21, QUILA ®< ), TLR4 agonists such as MPL (Monophosphoryl Lipid A), 3DMPL (3-O-deacylated MPL) or GLA-AQ, LT / CT mutants, cytokines such as the various interleukins (e.g., IL-2, IL-12) or GM-CSF, and the like.

[0446] Examples of known suitable immune modulatory type adjuvants with both delivery and immune modulatory features that can be used in humans include, but are not limited to, ISCOMS (see, e.g., Sjölander et al. (1998) J. Leukocyte Biol. 64:713; WO 90 / 03184, WO 96 / 11711, WO 00 / 48630, WO 98 / 36772, WO 00 / 41720, WO 2006 / 134423 and WO 2007 / 026190) or GLA-EM which is a combination of a TLR4 agonist and an oil-in-water emulsion.

[0447] For veterinary applications including but not limited to animal experimentation, one can use Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant (IFA), EMULSIGEN ®< , N-acetyl-muramyl-L-threonyl-D-isoglutamine (thr-MDP), N-acetyl-normuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (CGP 11637, referred to as nor-MDP), N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl-L-alanine-2-(1'-2'-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-hydroxyphosphoryloxy)-ethylamine (CGP 19835A, referred to as MTP-PE), and RIBI ™< , which contains three components extracted from bacteria, monophosphoryl lipid A, trehalose dimycolate and cell wall skeleton (MPL+TDM+CWS) in a 2% squalene / TWEEN ®< 80 emulsion.

[0448] Further exemplary adjuvants to enhance effectiveness of the pneumococcal vaccines as disclosed herein include, but are not limited to: (1) oil-in-water emulsion formulations (with or without other specific immunostimulating agents such as muramyl peptides (see below) or bacterial cell wall components), such as for example (a) SAF, containing 10% Squalane, 0.4% TWEEN ®< 80, 5% pluronic-blocked polymer L121, and thr-MDP either microfluidized into a submicron emulsion or vortexed to generate a larger particle size emulsion, and (b) RIBI ™< adjuvant system (RAS), (Ribi Immunochem, Hamilton, MT) containing 2% Squalene, 0.2% TWEEN ®< 80, and one or more bacterial cell wall components such as monophosphorylipid A (MPL), trehalose dimycolate (TDM), and cell wall skeleton (CWS), preferably MPL + CWS (DETOX ™< ); (2) saponin adjuvants, such as QS21, STIMULON ™< (Cambridge Bioscience, Worcester, MA), ABISCO ®< (Isconova, Sweden), or ISCOMATRIX ®< (Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Australia), may be used or particles generated therefrom such as ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes), which ISCOMS may be devoid of additional detergent (e.g., WO 00 / 07621); (3) Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) and Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA); (4) cytokines, such as interleukins (e.g., IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12 (e.g., WO 99 / 44636)), interferons (e.g., gamma interferon), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), etc.; (5) monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) or 3-O-deacylated MPL (3dMPL) (see, e.g., GB-2220221, EP0689454), optionally in the substantial absence of alum when used with pneumococcal saccharides (see, e.g., WO 00 / 56358); (6) combinations of 3dMPL with, for example, QS21 and / or oil-in-water emulsions (see, e.g., EP0835318, EP0735898, EP0761231); (7) a polyoxyethylene ether or a polyoxyethylene ester (see, e.g., WO 99 / 52549); (8) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester surfactant in combination with an octoxynol (e.g., WO 01 / 21207) or a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether or ester surfactant in combination with at least one additional non-ionic surfactant such as an octoxynol (e.g., WO 01 / 21152); (9) a saponin and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide (e.g., a CpG oligonucleotide) (e.g., WO 00 / 62800); (10) an immunostimulant and a particle of metal salt (see, e.g., WO 00 / 23105); (11) a saponin and an oil-in-water emulsion (e.g., WO 99 / 11241); (12) a saponin (e.g., QS21) + 3dMPL + IM2 (optionally + a sterol) (e.g., WO 98 / 57659); (13) other substances that act as immunostimulating agents to enhance the efficacy of the composition. Muramyl peptides include N-acetyl-muramyl-L-threonyl-D-isoglutamine (thr-MDP), N-25 acetyl-normuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (nor-MDP), N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutarninyl-L-alanine-2-(1'-2'-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-hydroxyphosphoryloxy)-ethylamine MTP-PE), etc.

[0449] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise a CpG Oligonucleotide as adjuvant. A CpG oligonucleotide as used herein refers to an immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN), and accordingly these terms are used interchangeably unless otherwise indicated. Immunostimulatory CpG oligodeoxynucleotides contain one or more immunostimulatory CpG motifs that are unmethylated cytosine-guanine dinucleotides, optionally within certain preferred base contexts. The methylation status of the CpG immunostimulatory motif generally refers to the cytosine residue in the dinucleotide. An immunostimulatory oligonucleotide containing at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide is an oligonucleotide which contains a 5' unmethylated cytosine linked by a phosphate bond to a 3' guanine, and which activates the immune system through binding to Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9). In another embodiment the immunostimulatory oligonucleotide may contain one or more methylated CpG dinucleotides, which will activate the immune system through TLR9 but not as strongly as if the CpG motif(s) was / were unmethylated. CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides may comprise one or more palindromes that in turn may encompass the CpG dinucleotide. CpG oligonucleotides have been described in a number of issued patents, published patent applications, and other publications, including U.S. Patent Nos. 6,194,388; 6,207,646; 6,214,806; 6,218,371; 6,239,116; and 6,339,068.

[0450] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise any of the CpG Oligonucleotide described at page 3, line 22, to page 12, line 36, of WO 2010 / 125480.

[0451] Different classes of CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides have been identified. These are referred to as A, B, C and P class, and are described in greater detail at page 3, line 22, to page 12, line 36, of WO 2010 / 125480. Methods of the invention embrace the use of these different classes of CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides.

[0452] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise an A class CpG oligonucleotide. Preferably, the "A class" CpG oligonucleotide of the invention has the following nucleic acid sequence: 5' GGGGACGACGTCGTGGGGGGG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 1). Some non-limiting examples of A-Class oligonucleotides include: 5' G*G*G_G A C_G A C_G T_C_G T_G_G*G*G*G*G*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 2); wherein "*" refers to a phosphorothioate bond and "_" refers to a phosphodiester bond.

[0453] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise a B class CpG Oligonucleotide. In one embodiment, the CpG oligonucleotide for use in the present invention is a B class CpG oligonucleotide represented by at least the formula: 5' X 1 X 2 CGX 3 X 4 3', wherein X1, X2, X3, and X4 are nucleotides. In one embodiment, X 2 is adenine, guanine, or thymine. In another embodiment, X 3 is cytosine, adenine, or thymine.

[0454] The B class CpG oligonucleotide sequences of the invention are those broadly described above as well as disclosed in WO 96 / 02555, WO 98 / 18810 and U.S. Patent Nos. 6,194,388; 6,207,646; 6,214,806; 6,218,371; 6,239,116 and 6,339,068. Exemplary sequences include but are not limited to those disclosed in these latter applications and patents.

[0455] In an embodiment, the "B class" CpG oligonucleotide of the invention has the following nucleic acid sequence: 5' TCGTCGTTTTTCGGTGCTTTT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 3), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTTCGGTCGTTTT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 5), or 5' TCGTCGTTTCGTCGTTTTGTCGTT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTTTTCGA 3' (SEQ ID NO: 7).

[0456] In any of these sequences, all of the linkages may be all phosphorothioate bonds. In another embodiment, in any of these sequences, one or more of the linkages may be phosphodiester, preferably between the "C" and the "G" of the CpG motif making a semi-soft CpG oligonucleotide. In any of these sequences, an ethyl-uridine or a halogen may substitute for the 5' T; examples of halogen substitutions include but are not limited to bromo-uridine or iodo-uridine substitutions.

[0457] Some non-limiting examples of B-Class oligonucleotides include: 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*T*C*G*G*T*G*C*T*T*T*T 3' (SEQ ID NO: 8), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*T*C*G*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T 3' (SEQ ID NO: 9), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T 3' (SEQ ID NO: 10), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T 3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*C*G*A 3' (SEQ ID NO: 12). wherein "*" refers to a phosphorothioate bond.

[0458] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise a C class CpG Oligonucleotide. In an embodiment, the "C class" CpG oligonucleotides of the invention have the following nucleic acid sequence: 5' TCGCGTCGTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), or 5' TCGTCGACGTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 14), or 5' TCGGACGTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 15), or 5' TCGGACGTTCGGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 16), or 5' TCGCGTCGTTCGGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), or 5' TCGACGTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), or 5' TCGACGTTCGGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), or 5' TCGCGTCGTTCGGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), or 5' TCGCGACGTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGGCCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTACGGCGCCGTGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 24), or 5' TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCGT 3' (SEQ ID NO: 25).

[0459] In any of these sequences, all of the linkages may be all phosphorothioate bonds. In another embodiment, in any of these sequences, one or more of the linkages may be phosphodiester, preferably between the "C" and the "G" of the CpG motif making a semi-soft CpG oligonucleotide.

[0460] Some non-limiting examples of C-Class oligonucleotides include: 5' T*C_G*C_G*T*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 26), or 5' T*C_G*T*C_G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 27), or 5' T*C_G*G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 28), or 5' T*C_G*G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 29), or 5' T*C_G*C_G*T*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 30), or 5' T*C_G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 31), or 5' T*C_G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 32), or 5' T*C_G*C_G*T*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 33), or 5' T*C_G*C_G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 34), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*C*G*G*C*G*C*G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 35), or 5' T*C*G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*C*G*G*C*G*G*C*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 36), or 5' T*C*G*T*C_G*T*T*T*T*A*C_G*G*C*G*C*C_G*T*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 37), or 5' T*C_G*T*C*G*T*T*T*T*C*G*G*C*G*C*G*C*G*C*C*G*T 3' (SEQ ID NO: 38) wherein "*" refers to a phosphorothioate bond and "_" refers to a phosphodiester bond.

[0461] In any of these sequences, an ethyl-uridine or a halogen may substitute for the 5' T; examples of halogen substitutions include but are not limited to bromo-uridine or iodo-uridine substitutions.

[0462] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunogenic compositions as disclosed herein comprise a P class CpG Oligonucleotide. In an embodiment, the CpG oligonucleotide for use in the present invention is a P class CpG oligonucleotide containing a 5' TLR activation domain and at least two palindromic regions, one palindromic region being a 5' palindromic region of at least 6 nucleotides in length and connected to a 3' palindromic region of at least 8 nucleotides in length either directly or through a spacer, wherein the oligonucleotide includes at least one YpR dinucleotide. In an embodiment, said oligonucleotide is not T*C_G*T*C_G*A*C_G*T*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G (SEQ ID NO: 27). In one embodiment the P class CpG oligonucleotide includes at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide. In another embodiment the TLR activation domain is TCG, TTCG, TTTCG, TYpR, TTYpR, TTTYpR, UCG, UUCG, UUUCG, TTT, or TTTT. In yet another embodiment the TLR activation domain is within the 5' palindromic region. In another embodiment the TLR activation domain is immediately 5' to the 5' palindromic region.

[0463] In an embodiment, the "P class" CpG oligonucleotides of the invention have the following nucleic acid sequence: 5' TCGTCGACGATCGGCGCGCGCCG 3' (SEQ ID NO: 39).

[0464] In said sequences, all of the linkages may be all phosphorothioate bonds. In another embodiment, one or more of the linkages may be phosphodiester, preferably between the "C" and the "G" of the CpG motif making a semi-soft CpG oligonucleotide. In any of these sequences, an ethyl-uridine or a halogen may substitute for the 5' T; examples of halogen substitutions include but are not limited to bromo-uridine or iodo-uridine substitutions.

[0465] A non-limiting example of P-Class oligonucleotides include: 5' T*C_G*T*C_G*A*C_G*A*T*C_G*G*C*G*C_G*C*G*C*C*G 3' (SEQ ID NO: 40) wherein "*" refers to a phosphorothioate bond and "_" refers to a phosphodiester bond.

[0466] In one embodiment the oligonucleotide includes at least one phosphorothioate linkage. In another embodiment all internucleotide linkages of the oligonucleotide are phosphorothioate linkages. In another embodiment the oligonucleotide includes at least one phosphodiester-like linkage. In another embodiment the phosphodiester-like linkage is a phosphodiester linkage. In another embodiment a lipophilic group is conjugated to the oligonucleotide. In one embodiment the lipophilic group is cholesterol.

[0467] In an embodiment, all the internucleotide linkages of the CpG oligonucleotides disclosed herein are phosphodiester bonds ("soft" oligonucleotides, as described in WO 2007 / 026190). In another embodiment, CpG oligonucleotides of the invention are rendered resistant to degradation (e.g., are stabilized). A "stabilized oligonucleotide" refers to an oligonucleotide that is relatively resistant to in vivo degradation (e.g., via an exo- or endo-nuclease). Nucleic acid stabilization can be accomplished via backbone modifications. Oligonucleotides having phosphorothioate linkages provide maximal activity and protect the oligonucleotide from degradation by intracellular exo- and endonucleases.

[0468] The immunostimulatory oligonucleotides may have a chimeric backbone, which have combinations of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate linkages. For purposes of the instant invention, a chimeric backbone refers to a partially stabilized backbone, wherein at least one internucleotide linkage is phosphodiester or phosphodiester-like, and wherein at least one other internucleotide linkage is a stabilized internucleotide linkage, wherein the at least one phosphodiester or phosphodiester-like linkage and the at least one stabilized linkage are different. When the phosphodiester linkage is preferentially located within the CpG motif such molecules are called "semi-soft" as described in WO 2007 / 026190.

[0469] Other modified oligonucleotides include combinations of phosphodiester, phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, methylphosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, and / or p-ethoxy linkages.

[0470] Mixed backbone modified ODN may be synthesized as described in WO 2007 / 026190.

[0471] The size of the CpG oligonucleotide (i.e., the number of nucleotide residues along the length of the oligonucleotide) also may contribute to the stimulatory activity of the oligonucleotide. For facilitating uptake into cells, CpG oligonucleotide of the invention preferably have a minimum length of 6 nucleotide residues. Oligonucleotides of any size greater than 6 nucleotides (even many kb long) are capable of inducing an immune response if sufficient immunostimulatory motifs are present, because larger oligonucleotides are degraded inside cells. In certain embodiments, the CpG oligonucleotides are 6 to 100 nucleotides long, preferentially 8 to 30 nucleotides long. In important embodiments, nucleic acids and oligonucleotides of the invention are not plasmids or expression vectors.

[0472] In an embodiment, the CpG oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprise substitutions or modifications, such as in the bases and / or sugars as described at paragraphs 134 to 147 of WO 2007 / 026190.

[0473] In an embodiment, the CpG oligonucleotide of the present invention is chemically modified. Examples of chemical modifications are known to the skilled person and are described, for example in Uhlmann et al. (1990) Chem. Rev. 90:543; S. Agrawal, Ed., Humana Press, Totowa, USA 1993; Crooke et al. (1996) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 36:107-129; and Hunziker et al. (1995) Mod. Synth. Methods 7:331-417. An oligonucleotide according to the invention may have one or more modifications, wherein each modification is located at a particular phosphodiester internucleoside bridge and / or at a particular β-D-ribose unit and / or at a particular natural nucleoside base position in comparison to an oligonucleotide of the same sequence which is composed of natural DNA or RNA.

[0474] In some embodiments of the invention, CpG-containing nucleic acids might be simply mixed with immunogenic carriers according to methods known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., WO 03 / 024480).

[0475] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, any of the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise from 2 µg to 100 mg of CpG oligonucleotide, preferably from 0.1 mg to 50 mg CpG oligonucleotide, preferably from 0.2 mg to 10 mg CpG oligonucleotide, preferably from 0.3 mg to 5 mg CpG oligonucleotide, preferably from 0.3 mg to 5 mg CpG oligonucleotide, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2 mg CpG oligonucleotide, even more preferably from 0.75 to 1.5 mg CpG oligonucleotide. In a preferred embodiment, any of the immunogenic composition disclosed herein comprises about 1 mg CpG oligonucleotide.

[0476] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compostion of the invention (such as defined at section 2 above), comprises an adjuvant as defined above, preferably an aluminum salt (alum) (e.g., aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate or aluminum hydroxide). In an embodiment, the immunogenic compostion of the invention comprise aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant.

[0477] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition which may be used in combination with the immunogenic composition of the invention (such as defined at section 3 above), comprises an adjuvant as defined above, preferably an aluminum salt (alum) (e.g., aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate or aluminum hydroxide). In an embodiment, said immunogenic compostions comprise aluminum phosphate or aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant.

[0478] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein only the first immunogenic composition (part (a) of the kit) comprises an adjuvant as defined above.

[0479] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein only the second immunogenic composition (part (b) of the kit) comprises an adjuvant as defined above.

[0480] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) comprise an adjuvant as defined above.

[0481] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) comprise an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of aluminum phosphate, aluminum sulfate and aluminum hydroxide.

[0482] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) comprise aluminum phosphate as adjuvant.

[0483] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) comprise aluminium hydroxide as adjuvant.

[0484] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) comprise aluminium sulfate as adjuvant.8. Formulation

[0485] The immunogenic compositions disclosed herein may be formulated in liquid form (i.e., solutions or suspensions) or in a lyophilized form. Liquid formulations may advantageously be administered directly from their packaged form and are thus ideal for injection without the need for reconstitution in aqueous medium as otherwise required for lyophilized compositions.

[0486] Formulation of the immunogenic composition disclosed herein can be accomplished using art-recognized methods. For instance, the individual pneumococcal conjugates can be formulated with a physiologically acceptable vehicle to prepare the composition. Examples of such vehicles include, but are not limited to, water, buffered saline, polyols (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycol) and dextrose solutions.

[0487] The present disclosure provides an immunogenic composition comprising any combination of glycoconjugates disclosed herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, carrier, or diluent.

[0488] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition disclosed herein is in liquid form, preferably in aqueous liquid form.

[0489] Immunogenic compositions of the disclosure may comprise one or more of a buffer, a salt, a divalent cation, a non-ionic detergent, a cryoprotectant such as a sugar, and an anti-oxidant such as a free radical scavenger or chelating agent, or any combinations thereof.

[0490] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise a buffer. In an embodiment, said buffer has a pKa of about 3.5 to about 7.5. In some embodiments, the buffer is phosphate, succinate, histidine or citrate. In certain embodiments, the buffer is succinate at a final concentration of 1 mM to 10 mM. In one particular embodiment, the final concentration of the succinate buffer is about 5 mM.

[0491] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise a salt. In some embodiments, the salt is selected from the groups consisting of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride and a combination thereof. In one particular embodiment, the salt is sodium chloride. In one particular embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise sodium chloride at 150 mM.

[0492] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein comprise a surfactant. In an embodiment, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polysorbate 20 (TWEEN ™< 20), polysorbate 40 (TWEEN ™< 40), polysorbate 60 (TWEEN ™< 60), polysorbate 65 (TWEEN ™< 65), polysorbate 80 (TWEEN ™< 80), polysorbate 85 (TWEEN ™< 85), TRITON ™< N-101, TRITON ™< X-100, oxtoxynol 40, nonoxynol-9, triethanolamine, triethanolamine polypeptide oleate, polyoxyethylene-660 hydroxystearate (PEG-15, Solutol H 15), polyoxyethylene-35-ricinoleate (CREMOPHOR ®< EL), soy lecithin and a poloxamer. In one particular embodiment, the surfactant is polysorbate 80. In some said embodiment, the final concentration of polysorbate 80 in the formulation is at least 0.0001% to 10% polysorbate 80 weight to weight (w / w). In some said embodiments, the final concentration of polysorbate 80 in the formulation is at least 0.001% to 1% polysorbate 80 weight to weight (w / w). In some said embodiments, the final concentration of polysorbate 80 in the formulation is at least 0.01% to 1% polysorbate 80 weight to weight (w / w). In other embodiments, the final concentration of polysorbate 80 in the formulation is 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.07%, 0.08%, 0.09% or 0.1% polysorbate 80 (w / w). In another embodiment, the final concentration of the polysorbate 80 in the formulation is 1% polysorbate 80 (w / w).

[0493] In certain embodiments, the immunogenic composition disclosed herein has a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, more preferably a pH of 5.6 to 7.0, even more preferably a pH of 5.8 to 6.0.

[0494] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container filled with any of the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the container is selected from the group consisting of a vial, a syringe, a flask, a fermentor, a bioreactor, a bag, a jar, an ampoule, a cartridge and a disposable pen. In certain instances, the container is siliconized.

[0495] In an instance, the container of the present invention is made of glass, metals (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) and / or polymers (e.g., thermoplastics, elastomers, thermoplastic-elastomers). In an instance, the container of the present disclosure is made of glass.

[0496] In one instance, the present disclosure provides a syringe filled with any of the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein. In certain instances, the syringe is siliconized and / or is made of glass.

[0497] A typical dose of the immunogenic composition disclosed herein for injection has a volume of 0.1 mL to 2 mL, more preferably 0.2 mL to 1 mL, even more preferably a volume of about 0.5 mL.

[0498] Therefore the container or syringe as defined above is filed with a volume of 0.1 mL to 2 mL, more preferably 0.2 mL to 1 mL, even more preferably a volume of about 0.5 mL of any of the immunogenic compositions defined herein.

[0499] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compostion of the invention (such as defined at section 2 above) is formulated as disclosed above.

[0500] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition which may be used in combination with the immunogenic composition of the invention (such as defined at section 3 above) is formulated as disclosed above.

[0501] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) are formulated as described above.

[0502] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) are formulated in liquid form.

[0503] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein both immunogenic compositions (part (a) and (b) of the kit) are formulated in lyophilized form.

[0504] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein the first immunogenic composition (part (a) of the kit) is in liquid form and the second immunogenic composition (part (b) of the kit) is in lyophilized form.

[0505] An aspect of the disclosure provides a kit as defined at section 4 above wherein the first immunogenic composition (part (a) of the kit) is in lyophilized form and the second immunogenic composition (part (b) of the kit) is in liquid form.9. Uses of the immunogenic compositions of the invention

[0506] The immunogenic compositions described herein are for use to prevent a S. pneumoniae infection in a human subject. Thus in one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of preventing an infection by S. pneumoniae in a human subject comprising administering to the subject an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic composition of the invention. In some such embodiments, the infection is selected from the group consisting of pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, acute otitis media, meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, pleural empyema, conjunctivitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, peritonitis, pericarditis, mastoiditis, cellulitis, soft tissue infection and brain abscess. The subject to be vaccinated is a human.

[0507] The immunogenic compositions of the present invention can be used to protect or treat a human susceptible to pneumococcal infection, by means of administering the immunogenic compositions via a systemic or mucosal route. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein are administered by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal or subcutaneous routes. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein are administered by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal or subcutaneous injection. In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions disclosed herein are administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.

[0508] In an embodiment, the first immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, are able to induce the formation of antibodies capable of binding to S. pneumonia serotype 15B, 15A and / or 15C as measured by a standard ELISA assay. In an embodiment, the first immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, are able to induce the formation of antibodies capable of binding to S. pneumonia serotype 15B and 15C as measured by a standard ELISA assay.

[0509] In the ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) method, antibodies from the sera of vaccinated subjects are incubated with polysaccharides which have been adsorbed to a solid support. The bound antibodies are detected using enzyme-conjugated secondary detection antibodies.

[0510] In an embodiment said standard ELISA assay is the standardized (WHO) ELISA assay as defined by the WHO in the 'Training manual for Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitation of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype specific IgG (Pn PS ELISA).' (accessible at http: / / www.vaccine.uab.edu / ELISA%20protocol.pdf; last accessed on March 31 st< , 2014).

[0511] The ELISA measures type specific IgG anti-S. pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide (PS) antibodies present in human serum. When dilutions of human sera are added to type-specific capsular PS-coated microtiter plates, antibodies specific for that capsular PS bind to the microtiter plates. The antibodies bound to the plates are detected using a goat anti-human IgG alkaline phosphatase-labeled antibody followed by a p-nitrophenyl phosphate substrate. The optical density of the colored end product is proportional to the amount of anticapsular PS antibody present in the serum.

[0512] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit IgG antibodies in human which are capable of binding S. pneumoniae serotype 15B polysaccharide at a concentration of at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4 or 0.5 µg / ml as determined by ELISA assay.

[0513] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit IgG antibodies in human which are capable of binding S. pneumoniae serotype 15C polysaccharide at a concentration of at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4 or 0.5 µg / ml as determined by ELISA assay.

[0514] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit IgG antibodies in human which are capable of binding S. pneumoniae serotypes 15B and 15C polysaccharide at a concentration of at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4 or 0.5 µg / ml as determined by ELISA assay.

[0515] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, are able to induce the formation of antibodies capable of killing S. pneumonia serotype 15B in an opsonophagocytosis assay as disclosed herein (such as the OPA assay of Example 12).

[0516] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when tested in an OPA assay as disclosed herein (such as the OPA assay of Example 12), has an OPA titer greater than the OPA titer obtained with an unconjugated native S. pneumonia serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0517] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, are able to induce the formation of antibodies capable of killing S. pneumonia serotype 15C in an opsonophagocytosis assay as disclosed herein (such as the OPA assay of Example 12). In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when tested in an OPA assay as disclosed herein (such as the OPA assay of Example 12), has an OPA titer greater than the OPA titer obtained with an unconjugated native S. pneumonia serotype 15B capsular polysaccharide.

[0518] The pneumococcal opsonophagocytic assay (OPA), which measures killing of S. pneumoniae cells by phagocytic effector cells in the presence of functional antibody and complement, is considered to be an important surrogate for evaluating the effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccines.

[0519] Opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) can be conducted by incubating together a mixture of Streptococcus pneumoniae cells, a heat inactivated human serum to be tested, differentiated HL-60 cells (phagocytes) and an exogenous complement source (e.g. baby rabbit complement). Opsonophagocytosis proceeds during incubation and bacterial cells that are coated with antibody and complement are killed upon opsonophagocytosis. Colony forming units (cfu) of surviving bacteria that escape from opsonophagocytosis are determined by plating the assay mixture. The OPA titer is defined as the reciprocal dilution that results in a 50% reduction in bacterial count over control wells without test serum. The OPA titer is interpolated from the two dilutions that encompass this 50% killing cut-off.

[0520] An endpoint titer of 1:8 or greater is considered a positive result in these killing type OPA.

[0521] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), is able to elicit a titer of at least 1:8 against S. pneumoniae serotype 15B in at least 50% of the subjects as determined by opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA). In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit a titer of at least 1:8 against S. pneumoniae serotype 15B in at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or at least 93% of the subjects as determined by opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA).

[0522] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit a titer of at least 1:8 against S. pneumoniae serotype 15C in at least 50% of the subjects as determined by opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA). In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) is able to elicit a titer of at least 1:8 against S. pneumoniae serotype 15C in at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or at least 95% of the subjects as determined by opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA).

[0523] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of treating or preventing a S. pneumoniae infection, disease or condition associated with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C in a subject, the method comprising the step of administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of any of the immunogenic compositions of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above). In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, induces the formation of antibodies capable of binding to S. pneumoniae serotype 15B, 15A and / or 15C. In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), when administered to a subject, induces the formation of antibodies capable of killing S. pneumoniae serotype 15B, 15C and / or 15A in an opsonophagocytosis assay as disclosed herein (such as the OPA assay of Example 12).

[0524] One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method of protecting a subject against an infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15C, or a method of preventing infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15C, or a method of reducing the severity of or delaying the onset of at least one symptom associated with an infection caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 15C, the methods comprising administering to a subject an immunogenic amount of any of the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above). One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method of treating or preventing a S. pneumoniae infection, disease or condition associated with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B) in a subject, the method comprising the step of administering a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of any of the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) to the subject. Another embodiment provides a method of treating or preventing a S. pneumoniae infection, disease or condition associated with a S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B) in a subject, the method comprising generating a polyclonal or monoclonal antibody preparation from any of the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above), and using said antibody preparation to confer passive immunity to the subject.

[0525] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to the use of any of the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) for the manufacture of a medicament for protecting a subject against an infection with S. pneumoniae, and / or preventing infection with S. pneumoniae, and / or reducing the severity of or delaying the onset of at least one symptom associated with an infection caused by S. pneumoniae, and / or protecting a subject against an infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B) and / or preventing infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B), and / or reducing the severity of or delaying the onset of at least one symptom associated with an infection caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B).

[0526] In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to the use of any of the immunogenic composition of the present disclosure comprising at least one glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B (such as the glycoconjugates of section 1.3.4 above) for protecting a subject against an infection with S. pneumoniae, and / or preventing infection with S. pneumoniae, and / or reducing the severity of or delaying the onset of at least one symptom associated with an infection caused by S. pneumoniae, and / or protecting a subject against an infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B) and / or preventing infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B), and / or reducing the severity of or delaying the onset of at least one symptom associated with an infection caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 15A, 15B and / or 15C (preferably 15B and / or 15C, more preferably 15B).10. Subject to be treated with the immunogenic compositions of the invention

[0527] As disclosed herein, the immunogenic compositions of the invention are for use in a method of preventing an infection by S. pneumoniae in a human subject.

[0528] In a most preferred embodiment, said human subject is a newborn (i.e., under three months of age), an infant (i.e., from 3 months to one year of age) or a toddler (i.e., from one year to four years of age).

[0529] In an embodiment, the immunogenic compositions and kits disclosed herein are for use as a vaccine.

[0530] In such embodiment, the human subject to be vaccinated may be less than 1 year of age. For example, the subject to be vaccinated can be about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11 or about 12 months of age. In an embodiment, the subject to be vaccinated is about 2, about 4 or about 6 months of age. In another embodiment, the subject to be vaccinated is less than 2 years of age. For example the subject to be vaccinated can be about 12 to about 15 months of age. In some cases, as little as one dose of the immunogenic composition according to the invention is needed, but under some circumstances, a second, third or fourth dose may be given (see section 11 below).

[0531] In an embodiment of the present invention, the subject to be vaccinated is a human adult 50 years of age or older, more preferably a human adult 55 years of age or older. In an embodiment, the subject to be vaccinated is a human adult 65 years of age or older, 70 years of age or older, 75 years of age or older or 80 years of age or older.

[0532] In an embodiment the human subject to be vaccinated is an immunocompromised individual. An immunocompromised individual is generally defined as a person who exhibits an attenuated or reduced ability to mount a normal humoral or cellular defense to challenge by infectious agents.

[0533] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised human subject to be vaccinated suffers from a disease or condition that impairs the immune system and results in an antibody response that is insufficient to protect against or treat pneumococcal disease.

[0534] In an embodiment, said disease is a primary immunodeficiency disorder. Preferably, said primary immunodeficiency disorder is selected from the group consisting of: combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies, antibody deficiencies, well-defined syndromes, immune dysregulation diseases, phagocyte disorders, innate immunity deficiencies, autoinflammatory disorders, and complement deficiencies. In an embodiment, said primary immunodeficiency disorder is selected from the one disclosed on page 24, line 11, to page 25, line 19, of WO 2010 / 125480.

[0535] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated suffers from a disease selected from the group consisting of: HIV-infection, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer, chronic heart or lung disorders, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease, alcoholism, cirrhosis, spinal fluid leaks, cardiomyopathy, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), spleen dysfunction (such as sickle cell disease), lack of spleen function (asplenia), blood malignancy, leukemia, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome and asthma.

[0536] In an embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated suffers from malnutrition.

[0537] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated is taking a drug or treatment that lowers the body's resistance to infection. In an embodiment, said drug is selected from the one disclosed on page 26, line 33, to page 26, line 4, of WO 2010 / 125480.

[0538] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated is a smoker.

[0539] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated has a white blood cell count (leukocyte count) below 5 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 4 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 3 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 2 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 1 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.5 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.3 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.1 x 10 9< cells per liter.

[0540] White blood cell count (leukocyte count): The number of white blood cells (WBC) in the blood. The WBC is usually measured as part of the CBC (complete blood count). White blood cells are the infection-fighting cells in the blood and are distinct from the red (oxygen-carrying) blood cells known as erythrocytes. There are different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes; PMN), band cells (slightly immature neutrophils), T-type lymphocytes (T-cells), B-type lymphocytes (B-cells), monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. All the types of white blood cells are reflected in the white blood cell count. The normal range for the white blood cell count is usually between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 10 9< cells per liter.

[0541] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated suffers from neutropenia. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated has a neutrophil count below 2 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 1 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.5 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.1 x 10 9< cells per liter, or below 0.05 x 10 9< cells per liter.

[0542] A low white blood cell count or "neutropenia" is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of neutrophils in the circulating blood. Neutrophils are a specific kind of white blood cell that help to prevent and fight infections. The most common reason that cancer patients experience neutropenia is as a side effect of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia increases a patient's risk of infection and disrupts cancer treatment.

[0543] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the immunocompromised subject to be vaccinated has a CD4+ cell count below 500 / mm 3< , or CD4+ cell count below 300 / mm 3< , or CD4+ cell count below 200 / mm 3< , CD4+ cell count below 100 / mm 3< , CD4+ cell count below 75 / mm 3< , or CD4+ cell count below 50 / mm 3< .

[0544] CD4 cell tests are normally reported as the number of cells in mm 3< . Normal CD4 counts are between 500 and 1,600, and CD8 counts are between 375 and 1,100. CD4 counts drop dramatically in people with HIV.

[0545] In an embodiment of the invention, any of the immunocompromised subjects disclosed herein is a human male or a human female.11. Immunization schedule

[0546] The schedule of vaccination of the immunogenic composition according to the invention is a multiple dose schedule consisting of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month, or a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 2 months.

[0547] By "simultaneous administration" is meant the administration of therapeutically effective doses of a first and a second immunogenic compositions in a single unit dosage form.

[0548] By "concurrent administration" is meant the administration of therapeutically effective doses of a first and a second immunogenic compositions through the same access site, but in separate unit dosage forms, within a short period of one another. Concurrent administration is essentially administering the two immunogenic compositions at about the same time but in separate dosage forms, through the same access site. The concurrent administration of the first and the second immunogenic compositions often occurs during the same physician office visit.

[0549] By "concomitant administration" is meant the administration of therapeutically effective doses of a first and a second immunogenic compositions, in separate unit dosage forms within a short period of one another at different anatomic sites. Concomitant administration is essentially administering the two immunogenic compositions at about the same time but in separate dosage forms and at different anatomic sites. The concomitant administration of the first and second immunogenic compositions often occurs during the same physician office visit.

[0550] By "sequential administration" is meant the administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a first or a second immunogenic composition alone, followed by the administration of a therapeutically effective dose of the remaining immunogenic composition after an interval of at least about 1 month. For instance in one embodiment, the first immunogenic composition is administered in a single dosage form, and then after an interval of at least about 1 month, the second immunogenic composition is administered in a separate single dosage form. In an alternative embodiment, the second immunogenic composition is administered in a single dosage form, and then after an interval of at least about 1 month, the first immunogenic composition is administered in a separate single dosage form. The sequential administration of the first and second immunogenic compositions often occurs at different physician office visits.

[0551] The present invention pertains to a first immunogenic composition according to the ones of section 2 above for sequential administration with a second immunogenic composition as disclosed at section 3 above.

[0552] In an embodiment, the first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered first and the second immunogenic compositon is administered second. In another embodiment, the second immunogenic compositon is administered first and the first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered second.

[0553] The schedule of vaccination of said sequential administration consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said multiple dose schedule consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month, or a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 2 months.

[0554] In an embodiment of said 2-dose schedule, the first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered first and the second immunogenic compositon is administered second. In another embodiment, the second immunogenic compositon is administered first and the first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered second.

[0555] In an embodiment of said 2-dose schedule, the first and second doses are administered in the first year of age. In an embodiment of said 2-dose schedules, the first dose is administered in the first year of age and the second dose is a toddler dose. In an embodiment, said toddler dose is administered at 12-18 months of age. In an embodiment, said toddler dose is administered at 12-15 months of age.

[0556] In an embodiment, the present invention pertains to the sequential administration of: (a) a first immunogenic composition according tosection 2 above and (b) the concomitant administration of the first immunogenic composition according to section 2 above with a second immunogenic composition as disclosed at section 3 above.

[0557] The schedule of vaccination of said sequential administration consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months. In an embodiment, the schedule of vaccination consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 2 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month, or a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 2 months.

[0558] In an embodiment of said schedule, a first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered first and the concomitant administration of the first immunogenic composition according to the invention with a second immunogenic composition is administered second. In another embodiment, the concomitant administration of a first immunogenic composition according to the invention with asecond immunogenic composition is administered first and the first immunogenic composition according to the invention is administered second.

[0559] In an embodiment of said 2-administrations schedule, the first and second administrations are administered in the first year of age. In an embodiment of said 2-administrations schedule, the first administration is administered in the first year of age and the second administration is a toddler administration. In an embodiment, said toddler administration is administered at 12-18 months of age. In an embodiment, said toddler administration is administered at 12-15 months of age.

[0560] In an embodiment, the present invention pertains to the sequential administration of: (a) the second immunogenic composition of section 3 above and (b) the concomitant administration of the first immunogenic composition according to section 2 above with said second immunogenic composition wherein, the schedule of vaccination of said sequential administration consists of a series of 2 administrations. In an embodiment, the schedule of vaccination consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 6 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 months. In an embodiment, the schedule of vaccination consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 2 months. In a particular embodiment, said schedule consists of a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 1 month, or a series of 2 administrations separated by an interval of about 2 months.

[0561] In an embodiment of said schedule, the second immunogenic composition of section 3 above is administered first and the concomitant administration of the first immunogenic composition according to section 2 above with said second immunogenic composition is administered second. In another embodiment, the concomitant administration of the first immunogenic composition according to section 2 above with said second immunogenic composition is administered first and the second immunogenic composition of section 3 above is administered second.

[0562] In an embodiment of said 2-administrations schedule, the first and second administrations are administered in the first year of age. In an embodiment of said 2-administrations schedule, the first administration is administered in the first year of age and the second administration is a toddler administration. In an embodiment, said toddler administration is administered at 12-18 months of age. In an embodiment, said toddler administration is administered at 12-15 months of age.

[0563] In an embodiment, in any of the 2-administrations schedules disclosed above the concomitant administration(s) is / are replaced by a concurrent administration.

[0564] As used herein, the term "about" means within a statistically meaningful range of a value, such as a stated concentration range, time frame, molecular weight, temperature or pH. Such a range can be within an order of magnitude, typically within 20%, more typically within 10%, and even more typically within 5% or within 1% of a given value or range. Sometimes, such a range can be within the experimental error typical of standard methods used for the measurement and / or determination of a given value or range. The allowable variation encompassed by the term "about" will depend upon the particular system ...

Claims

1. A first immunogenic composition comprising a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 15B, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 22F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 33F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 12F, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 10A, a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 11A and a glycoconjugate from S. pneumoniae serotype 8, wherein said composition is a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition and wherein said glycoconjugates are individually conjugated to CRM197; and a second immunogenic composition which is a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate composition wherein said 13 conjugates consists of glycoconjugates from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F individually conjugated to CRM197, for use in a method of preventing an infection by S. pneumoniae in a human subject wherein said first and second immunogenic compositions are administered sequentially and wherein the schedule of vaccination of said sequential administration consists of a series of 2 doses separated by an interval of about 1 month to about 12 months.

2. The compositions for use of claim 1, wherein said first immunogenic composition further comprises at least one adjuvant.

3. The compositions for use of any one of claims 1-2, wherein said second immunogenic composition further comprises at least one adjuvant.