Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) vaccines, and production and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of an immunogenic composition that comprises a porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) antigen for treatment of several clinical manifestations (diseases). Preferably, the clinical manifestations are associated with a PCV3 infection. (Fig. 33)

Description

PORCINE CIRCOVIRUS TYPE 3 (PCV3) VACCINES, AND PRODUCTION AND USESTHEREOF RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 62 / 829,400 filed on April 4, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Reference is also made to WO 2006 / 072065 and US Patent Nos. 6,103,526; 9,610,345; 9,669,087 and 10,450,351; the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The foregoing applications, and all documents cited therein or during their prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, and all documents cited or referenced herein (“herein cited documents”), and all documents cited or referenced in herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer’s instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. More specifically, all referenced documents are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING

[0003] The Sequence Listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy, and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification. The name of the text file containing the Sequence Listing is BI 19-AH009_ST25 (sequence listing).txt. The text file is 188 KB; it was created on 6 April 2020; and it is being submitted electronically via EFS-Web, concurrent with the filing of the specification.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Disclosed herein is a recombinant baculovirus vector containing a polynucleotide encoding Porcine Circovirus Type 3 (PCV3) ORF2. Also disclosed herein are compositions and vaccines produced from the baculovirus derived PCV3 ORF2 and BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2. Also disclosed is a recombinant baculovirus vector containing a mutated polynucleotide encoding Porcine Circovirus Type 3 (PCV3) ORF2. Also disclosed are compositions and vaccines produced from the baculovirus derived mutated PCV3 ORF2 and BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is a non-enveloped, icosahedral single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) virus belonging to the genus Circovirus in the family Circoviridae. The genome encodes for two major open reading frames (ORFs) where ORF1 encodes a replication- associated protein (rep) and ORF2 encodes the viral capsid (cap) protein, which determines the antigenic characteristics of the virus. PCV3 is genetically distinct from porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2); specifically, there is only 48% amino acid identity in the rep gene and 26% amino acid identity in the cap gene between the two viruses.

[0006] PCV3 was originally reported in 2016 in the U.S., Palinski, Rachel, et al.“A Novel Porcine Circovirus Distantly Related to Known Circoviruses Is Associated with Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome and Reproductive Failure.” Journal of Virology, vol. 91, no. 1, 26 Oct. 2016. The virus has since been identified worldwide including Germany, Japan, Korea, Russia, China, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, Poland, Brazil, Columbia, India, Serbia and Sweden. While testing is limited to date, the finding of PCV3 in retrospective samples indicates that the virus was likely circulating in swine populations worldwide decades prior to the initial 2017 reports. It is hypothesized that as testing increases, PCV3 will be identified in more countries and in older samples.

[0007] Additionally, Chinese patent application CN109207441A entitled,“3 type Cap protein of recombinant baculovirus expression pig circular ring virus and its construction method and primer,” claims priority to CN201810912587.1A, filed August 12, 2018. It describes the construction of Baculovirus expression of PCV3 ORF2 for the manufacturing of 3 type Cap proteins of pig circular ring virus.

[0008] CN109207441A entitled,“3 type Cap protein of recombinant baculovirus expression pig circular ring virus and its construction method and primer,” claims priority to CN201810912587.1A, filed August 12, 2018. It describes the administration of the Baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2 in mice and provides ELISA seroconversion data.

[0009] CN109207522A entitled,“It expresses 3 type of pig circular ring virus and truncates Cap protein of recombinant baculovirus and its construction method and primer,” claims priority to CN201810912585.2A, filed August 12, 2018. It describes Baculovirus-truncated CAP / ORF2, administration in mice, and provides ELISA seroconversion data.

[0010] Additionally, United States patent 10,450,351 (i.e., application serial number 15 / 768,356) entitled,“Porcine Circovirus Type 3 Immunogenic Compositions and Methods of Making and Using the Same,” was first published as US 2018 / 0305410 A1 on October 25, 2018. It claims priority to provisional patent application 62 / 242,866, filed October 16, 2015. (Inventor Ben Hause, assigned to Kansas State University Research Foundation. See also Palinski, Rachel, et al. Journal of Virology, vol. 91, no. 1, 26 Oct. 2016, doi:10.1128 / jvi.01879-16. Published online October 26, 2016. It relates to PCV3 from tissues“collected from four sows from a farm with chronic poor reproductive performance which died acutely with clinical symptoms consistent with PDNS.” While the patent application does not say where the farm was located, it does describe that immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were negative for PCV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and influenza A virus (IAV) on sows and mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetuses. This patent application describes isolation of the virus, but not of a propagating cell culture.

[0011] Examples in the‘351 patent describe the qPCR detection of the PCV3 capsid gene, isolating the virus, cloning the PCV3 capsid protein, developing an anti-PCV3 capsid monoclonal antibody, PCV3 detection, and development of a recombinant PCV3 capsid ELISA. However, no vaccine studies or data are described.

[0012] Recently, an article was published describing intranasally inoculating 4- and 8-week- old specific-pathogen-free piglets with an infectious PCV3 DNA clone to evaluate PCV3 pathogenesis. However, no discussion of vaccines to prevent PCV3 infection was made. Jiang, Haijun, et al.“Induction of Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome in Piglets by Infection with Porcine Circovirus Type 3.” Journal of Virology, vol. 93, no. 4, 28 Nov. 2018, doi:10.1128 / jvi.02045-18.

[0013] Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Disclosed are PCV3 ORF2 antigenic proteins and variants thereof that are useful in the vaccination of or treatment of animals, in particular swine.

[0015] Typically, the swine is a pig.

[0016] In some aspects of the present invention, the animal is a piglet. Typically, the piglet is not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age sow.

[0017] In some aspects of the present invention, swine is a sow or a gilt.

[0018] In some aspects of the present invention the swine is a sow or gilt (i.e. a sow that has not farrowed) that is less than 1 year in age, typically more than 4 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 5 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 6 months and less than 1 year in age, typically between 4 to 8 months in age, typically between 5 to 8 months in age, typically between 5 to 7 months in age, typically between 5 to 6 months in age.

[0019] In some aspects of the present invention the swine is a pregnant sow that is less than 1 year in age, typically more than 4 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 5 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 6 months and less than 1 year in age.

[0020] In some aspects of the present invention the swine is a pre-breeding gilt that is less than 1 year in age, typically more than 4 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 5 months and less than 1 year in age, typically more than 6 months and less than 1 year in age, typically between 4 to 8 months in age, typically between 5 to 8 months in age, typically between 5 to 7 months in age, typically between 5 to 6 months in age.

[0021] Disclosed is the development of baculovirus derived PCV3 ORF2, expressed from “BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2”, compositions, and three vaccines: BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; live, adjuvanted with 50% ISA 207VG vaccine; BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; live, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine, and control BaculoG / no insert, P4; live, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine. Data showing efficacy of the vaccines to prevent PCV3 disease was provided.

[0022] Also disclosed is the development of baculovirus derived PCV3 ORF2 derived from killed virus.

[0023] Also disclosed is the development of baculovirus derived PCV3 ORF2 derived from mutated killed virus.

[0024] In a first aspect, the present invention thus relates to a composition comprising a PCV3 ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV3 ORF2 protein (a PCV3 ORF2 antigen). Said composition is also termed“the composition of the present invention” hereinafter. It also understood that the term“composition of the present invention”, as described herein, is equivalent to“composition of the disclosure”.

[0025] Preferably, the composition of the present invention further comprises a veterinary acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of: a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent, and / or any combination thereof.

[0026] The present disclosure further relates to a porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein; and a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent and / or any combination thereof.

[0027] In one embodiment, the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant.

[0028] The PCV3 ORF2 can be from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4). Thus, the PCV3 as mentioned herein is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or combination of clades or preferably selected from the group consisting of PCV3a and PCV3b, and most preferably selected from the group consisting PCV3a1, PCV3b1, PCV3b2 and PCV3c. The composition of the present invention thus preferably comprises a PCV3 ORF2 protein selected from the group consisting of PCV3a ORF2 protein and PCV3b ORF2 protein, or most preferably comprises a PCV3 ORF2 protein is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or combination of clades or selected from the group consisting of PCV3a1 ORF2 protein, PCV3b1 ORF2 protein and PCV3b2 ORF2 protein. In another embodiment, the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or atleast 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. According to a particular preferred aspect, the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant protein, or most preferably a recombinant baculovirus expressed protein. Thus, the composition preferably comprises recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein, or most preferably comprises baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2 protein.

[0029] In another embodiment, the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV3 ORF2 protein. Advantageously, the expression vector is a baculovirus.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the composition further comprises a PCV2 ORF protein, which may be from expression by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV2 ORF2 protein. Advantageously, the expression vector is a baculovirus.

[0031] Furthermore, the composition may further comprise at least one additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen. The additional antigen or antigens of porcine pathogens comprises a PRRSV antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies virus antigen, a IAV antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen, an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen, a Pasteurella multocida antigen, a Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae antigen or a Mycoplasma hyorhinis antigen.

[0032] In another embodiment, PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 4 to about 400 µg / ml, or 8 to about 400 µg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or 2 to about 200 mg / ml, or 4 to about 200 µg / ml, or 8 to about 200 µg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or 2 to about 100 mg / ml, or 4 to about 100 µg / ml, or 8 to about 100 µg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or 2 to about 50 mg / ml, or 4 to about 50 µg / ml, or 8 to about 50 µg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml. In a particular embodiment, the composition may have PCV3 ORF2 protein in an amount in a range from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml of the composition. For example, in an embodiment a 1 ml dose of the composition may include about 1.6 ug of PCV3 ORF2 protein.

[0033] In another embodiment, PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 4 to about 400 µg / dose, or 8 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or 2 to about 200 mg / dose, or 4 to about 200 µg / dose, or 8 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or 2 to about 100 mg / dose, or 4 to about 100 µg / dose, or 8 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or 2 to about 50 mg / dose, or 4 to about 50 µg / dose, or 8 to about 50 µg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose. In a particular embodiment, the composition may have a total PCV3 and PCV2 ORF2 protein in an amount in a range from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml of the composition. For example, in an embodiment a 1 ml dose of the composition may include about 1.6 ug of combined PCV3 and PCV2 ORF2 protein.

[0034] In another embodiment, the adjuvant comprises aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross- linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls andother ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, there may be about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose. In a particular embodiment, the composition may include adjuvant in a range from about 750 ug to about 2.5 mg per dose of the composition. For example, in an embodiment a dose of the composition may include about 1 mg of adjuvant.

[0036] In one embodiment, the immunomodulatory agent comprises interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s).

[0037] The dosage of the antibiotic(s) may be from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s). For example, an embodiment of the composition may include less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).

[0038] In one embodiment, the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.

[0039] A composition of the disclosure may comprise (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration. In one embodiment, about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) may have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5. In another embodiment, the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus. In another embodiment, the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI The composition may contain about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971. For example, an embodiment of the composition may include a cell culture that has been treated with BEI at a concentration of about 5 mM to inactivate thebaculovirus. In some embodiments, a dose of the composition may include residual BEI and / or about 1 mg of Carbopol, Carbopol 971, or a combination thereof.

[0040] Any composition of the disclosure may be formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration, as well as a multi-dose regimen. It is presumed that a single administration can overcome the presence of maternally derived antibodies.

[0041] In one embodiment, the composition may be a PCV3 and PPV (advantageously packaged in a VLP) and / or PRRSV advantageously for use in breeding age sows / gilts. In such an embodiment, one or more doses for administration is contemplated.

[0042] According to another aspect the composition of the present invention is an immunogenic composition.

[0043] The invention further provides the composition of the present invention for use as a medicament.

[0044] Further, the composition of the present invention is provided for use as a vaccine.

[0045] According to a particular preferred aspect, the composition of the present invention is for use in method for eliciting an immune response or an immunologic response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and other porcine pathogens and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and other porcine pathogens.

[0046] According to another preferred aspect, the composition of the present invention is for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal, and wherein said animal is preferably a pig.

[0047] Further, the composition of the present invention is provided for use in a method for inducing an immune response against PCV3 in a pig, in particular in a preferably pregnant sow.

[0048] According to still another aspect, the composition of the present invention is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition has been administered.

[0049] Thus, the present invention further provides the composition of the present invention for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition of the present invention has been administered, and wherein preferably said sow to which thecomposition has been administered is a sow to which the immunogenic composition has been administered while said sow has been pregnant, in particular with said piglet, or a pre-breeding gilt.

[0050] Preferably, the composition of the present invention for use in any one of the aforementioned methods is administered intramuscularly or intradermally, in particular to said sow.

[0051] The present disclosure also encompasses a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, comprising administering to an animal any of the herein disclosed compositions. The animal may be a porcine. Advantageously, the porcine may be a pig or a piglet or a sow. The pig or piglet may be not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age. The administration may occur within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus. The administration may occur within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus. For some aspects, the administration may comprise a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration of the protein of the present invention or the composition of the present invention; and not a multi-shot or multi- dose regimen. For some aspects, the administration may comprise a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen of the protein of the present invention or the composition of the present invention.

[0052] Further, the present invention provides a method of immunizing a subject comprising administering to the subject the composition of the present invention.

[0053] Further, the present invention provides a method of immunizing swine against a clinical disease caused by at least one pathogen in said animal, said method comprising the step of administering to the animal the composition of the present invention, wherein said immunogenic composition fails to cause clinical signs of infection but is capable of inducing an immune response that immunizes the animal against pathogenic forms of said at least one pathogen, and wherein said at least one pathogen is preferably PCV3.

[0054] Further, the present invention provides a method for inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in a sow, wherein said method comprises administering thecomposition of the present invention. The sow can be a pregnant sow. Alternatively, the sow can be a gilt (i.e. a sow that has not farrowed)– preferably a pre-breeding gilt.

[0055] Further, the present invention provides a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein said method comprises- administering the composition of the present invention to a sow, and- allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow,and wherein said sow is preferably a sow being pregnant, in particular with said piglet.

[0056] Preferably, the latter above-mentioned methods comprise the steps of- administering the composition of the present invention to a sow being pregnant with said piglet,- allowing said sow to give birth to said piglet, and- allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow.

[0057] Further, the present invention provides a method of reducing the clinical signs and / or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition of the present invention has been administered.

[0058] Preferably, in any one of the aforementioned methods, where applicable, the composition of the present is administered intramuscularly or intradermally, in particular to said sow.

[0059] According to another preferred aspect, the immunogenic composition of the present invention is administered twice, in particular intramuscularly or intradermally, to said sow.

[0060] In another preferred aspect, the clinical signs, as mentioned herein, are selected from the group consisting of reduction of average daily weight gain and mortality.

[0061] In a further preferred aspect, the clinical signs, as mentioned herein, are selected from the group consisting of expelling of mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetuses.

[0062] In yet another preferred aspect, the clinical symptoms, as mentioned herein, are selected from the group consisting of, gross lesions, histologic lesions, replication of PCV3 in a tissue, and PCV3 viremia.

[0063] In still a further preferred aspect, the clinical symptoms, as mentioned herein, are selected from the group consisting of development or production of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.

[0064] The present disclosure also encompasses use of any of the herein disclosed compositions in any of the herein disclosed methods; or use of a PCV3 ORF2 protein, alone or in combination, of any one of the herein disclosed compositions, for use in the preparation of a composition for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, or for use in a method for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.

[0065] In one embodiment, the composition may be a PCV3 and PPV (advantageously packaged in a VLP) and / or PRRSV advantageously for use in breeding age sows / gilts. In such an embodiment, one or more doses for administration is contemplated. This particular embodiment encompasses use of a PCV3 ORF2 protein in combination with a PPV protein and optionally a PRRSV protein for use in the preparation of a composition for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response PCV3 and PPV and optionally PSSRV, or for use in a method for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 and PPV and optionally PSSRV.

[0066] In this embodiment, a composition may comprise a (i) porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein, a parvovirus (PPV) protein and optionally a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) protein and (ii) a veterinary-acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent, and / or any combination thereof. The veterinary- acceptable carrier may comprise an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof. The veterinary-acceptable carrier may comprise an adjuvant. The composition may be utilized in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological responseagainst PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV. In one embodiment, the composition may be utilized in a method for inducing an immune response against PCV3 in a pig, in particular in a preferably pregnant sow. In another embodiment, the composition may be utilized in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition has been administered. The composition may be administered intramuscularly or intradermally. The embodiment also relates to method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV which may comprise administering to an animal any one of the above compositions. The embodiment also relates to method of immunizing swine against a clinical disease caused by at least one pathogen in said animal, said method comprising the step of administering to the animal any one of the above compositions, wherein said immunogenic composition fails to cause clinical signs of infection but is capable of inducing an immune response that immunizes the animal against pathogenic forms of said at least one pathogen.

[0067] PPV is an autonomous replicating virus of the Parvovirinae subfamily of the genus Protoparvovirus within the family Parvoviridae containing a single stranded DNA molecule of about 5100 nucleotides (Cotmore et al., 2014: Arch Virol.: 159(5): 1239-1247; Molitor et al., 1984: Virology: 137(2):241-54). Only the minus strand of the DNA is packaged into virions. The genome of the virus encodes three capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3) and one non-structural protein (NS1). The capsid of parvovirus is about 22-25 nanometers in diameter and is comprised of VP1 and VP2 subunits. These proteins are derived from alternatively spliced versions of the same RNA molecule and thus overlap in sequence. Further, porcine parvovirus exhibits a high level of sequence similarity to feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvoviruses and rodent parvovirus (Ranz et al., 1989: J. gen. Virol: 70:2541-2553).

[0068] The PPV protein can be from an inactivated or killed whole cell or a subunit of PPV. Advantageously, the PPV protein is a recombinant PPV protein.

[0069] EP 0 551 449 A1 discloses a method for producing a VP2 subunit vaccine against porcine parvovirus. Cadar D et al. (Infection, Genetics and Evolution 2012, 12: 1163-1171) describe the phylogeny and evolutionary genetics of porcine parvovirus in wild boars. Streck A F et al. (Journal of General Virology 2011, 92: 2628-2636) describe the high rate of viral evolution in the capsid protein of porcine parvovirus. WO 88 / 02026 relates to empty viral capsid vaccines.Martinez C et al. (Vaccine 1992, 10(10): 684-690), discloses the production of porcine parvovirus empty capsids with high immunogenic activity. Xu F et al. (Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2007, 73(21): 7041-7047) describe the induction of immune responses in mice after intragastric administration of Lactobacillus casei producing porcine parvovirus VP2 protein. And US Patent No. 10,485,866 discloses immunogenic compositions comprising PPV viral protein 2 (VP2) advantageously a mutant PPV VP2 comprising one or more mutations.

[0070] The term "porcine parvovirus" or "PPV" is well known to the person skilled in the art. However, "Porcine parvovirus" is an autonomous replicating virus of the genus parvovirus within the family Parvoviridae containing a single stranded DNA molecule. The genome of the virus encodes three capsid proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3) and one non-structural protein (NS1). The disease caused by PPV in pigs is often referred to as a SMEDI (an acronym of stillbirth, mummification, embryonic death, and infertility). The term "porcine parvovirus" encompasses all possible strains, genotypes, phenotypes and serotypes of the porcine parvovirus. The term "viral protein 2" or "VP2" relates to the capsid protein VP2 of the porcine parvovirus. The term "viral protein 2" or "VP2" is well known to the person skilled in the art.

[0071] Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is viewed by many as the most important disease currently affecting the pig industry worldwide. PRRS virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped single stranded RNA virus classified in the family Arteriviridae. There is large variability in the antigenic characteristics of the different isolates of PRRSV and effective measures to prevent infections are limited. There are three major groups of vaccines available for PRRS, attenuated modified live virus (MLV), killed virus vaccine or recombinant vaccines. The viral envelope proteins of PRRSV are generally categorized into major and minor proteins based on abundance of proteins in the virion. The major viral envelope proteins are gp5 (ORF 5) and M (ORF 6) and form a dimer. The minor envelope proteins are gp2 (ORF2), gp3 (ORF3), gp4 (ORF4) and E (ORF2b) and probably a newly identified viral protein gp5a (ORF 5a). The active antigenic component can include the ORF4, ORF5, ORF6, or ORF7 from PRRSV virus.

[0072] The recombinant PRRSV antigen may be expressed in a vectored PRRSV vaccine or composition that comprises one or more engineered, recombinant adenovirus vectors that harbor and express certain PRRSV antigens, and optionally a pharmaceutically or veterinarilyacceptable carrier, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle. Advantageous, the vector is an adenovirus vector although other vectors, such as a baculovirus, are also contemplated.

[0073] The PRRSV may be any strain, as the novel and inventive compositions and methods disclosed herein are universally applicable to all known and yet to be discovered PRRSV strains. PRRSV virus exists as two genotypes referred to as“US” and“EU” type which share about 50% sequence homology (Dea S et al. (2000). Arch Virol 145:659-88). These two genotypes can also be distinguished by their immunological properties. Most sequencing information on various isolates is based on the structural proteins, namely the envelope protein GP5 which accounts for only about 4% of the viral genome, while only little is known on the non-structural proteins (nsp). Isolation of PRRSV and manufacture of vaccines have been described in a number of publications (WO 92 / 21375, WO 93 / 06211, WO93 / 03760, WO 93 / 07898, WO 96 / 36356, EP 0 676 467, EP 0 732 340, EP 0 835 930, US 10,039,821). The PRRSV antigen includes PRRSV minor proteins (e.g. gp2, gp3, gp4, gp5a, gp5 or E), in any combination, and optionally includes additional PRRSV major proteins (e.g. gp5 or M). For example, the PRRSV antigens could be displayed on the surface of virus-like particles (VLPs). In other embodiments, soluble versions of the antigens could be administered to the host animal, wherein oligomerization (including trimerization) of the proteins with each other, or additionally, with components of VSV-G, or other viral proteins or any oligomerization (including trimerization motifs) (e.g. motifs from bacterial GCN4, and the like). Moreover, the TM / CT domains of Type I viral surface glycoproteins are envisioned to accomplish the same purpose as, and are therefore interchangeable with, the corresponding domains from VSV-G.

[0074] In some embodiments, the one or more vectors comprise either: a nucleotide sequence encoding a PRRSV E antigen, polypeptide, ectodomain or variant thereof; or, a nucleotide sequence encoding a modified PRRSV gp2, gp3, gp4, gp5a, gp5 or M antigen, polypeptide, ectodomain, or variant thereof, wherein an existing cellular localization sequence of gp2, gp3, gp4, gp5a, gp5 or M has been replaced with a cell-surface expression determinant sequence from an heterologous gene. In some embodiments, the one or more vectors comprise a mixture of two vectors, a first vector expressing retargeted PRRSV minor proteins, and a second vector expressing re-targeted PRRSV major proteins

[0075] In an advantageous embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered in two doses to a subject of need. However, theimmunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV may be administered at two or more doses, with a first dose being administered prior to the administration of a second (booster) dose. Preferably, the second dose is administered at least 15 days after the first dose. More preferably, the second dose is administered between 15 days and 40 days after the first dose. Even more preferably, the second dose is administered at least 17 days after the first dose. Still more preferably, the second dose is administered between 17 days and 30 days after the first dose. Even more preferably, the second dose is administered at least 19 days after the first dose. Still more preferably, the second dose is administered between 19 days and 25 days after the first dose. Most preferably the second dose is administered at least 21 days after the first dose. Even more preferably, the second dose is administered at about 21 days after the first dose or at 21 days after the first dose. In a preferred aspect of the two-time administration regimen, both the first and second doses of the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV are administered in the same amount. Preferably, each dose is in the preferred amounts specified above, with a dose of 1 ml or 2 ml for the first and second dose being most preferred. In addition to the first and second dose regimen, an alternate embodiment comprises further subsequent doses. For example, a third, fourth, or fifth dose could be administered in these aspects. Preferably, subsequent third, fourth, and fifth dose regimens are administered in the same amount as the first dose, with the time frame between the doses being consistent with the timing between the first and second doses mentioned above.

[0076] The dose volume per subject depends on the route of vaccination and the age of the subject. Preferably, the total volume is between about 0.2 ml and 5 ml, more preferably between about 0.5 ml and 3.0 ml, even more preferably between about 1.0 ml and 2.5 ml, even more preferably between about 1.0 ml and 2.0 ml. Most preferred the volume is 1 ml, 1.5 ml, 2 ml or 2.5 ml per dose.

[0077] The immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is, preferably, administered topically or systemically. Suitable routes of administration conventionally used are oral or parenteral administration, such as intranasal, intravenous, intradermal, transdermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, as well as inhalation. However, depending on the nature and mode of action of a compound, the immunogenic composition may be administered by other routes as well. For example, such other routes include intracutaneously, intravenously, intravascularly, intraarterially, intraperitnoeally, intrathecally, intratracheally, intracutaneously,intracardially, intralobally, intralobarly, intramedullarly, intrapulmonarily, intrarectally, and intravaginally. However, more preferred the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. Most preferred the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered intramuscularly.

[0078] In one aspect, said immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered intramuscularly.

[0079] In one aspect, said immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered to gilts and / or sows.

[0080] Preferably, the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered to gilts and / or sows being at least three 3 months of age, more preferably at least 4 months of age, most preferably at least 5 months of age.

[0081] In one aspect, the immunogenic composition is administered to gilts and / or sows being at least three 3 month of age.

[0082] In one aspect, said immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is administered to gilts and / or sows before pregnancy.

[0083] In a two shot regime, the second dose of said immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV is advantageously administered to gilts and / or sows 2, 3, 4 or 5 weeks before mating / insemination, most preferably about 3 weeks before mating / insemination. Preferably, the first dose of said immunogenic composition is administered to gilts and / or sows 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks before administering the second dose, most preferably about 3 weeks before administering the second dose. However, after the 2 shot regime has been applied, preferably, gilts and / or sows are revaccinated every 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 months, most preferably about every 6 months.

[0084] In one aspect of the present invention said immunogenic composition is administered to gilts and / or sows during pregnancy and lactation.

[0085] In one aspect of the present invention the immunogenic composition is safe for gilts and / or sows during pregnancy and lactation.

[0086] It is further claimed that, the vaccine is able to protect bred gilts and sows when challenged with PCV3 in all or two or at least one trimester during the 114 days of gestation.

[0087] It is also claimed that the vaccine is able to significantly reduce the incidence of mummies, stillborns and fetus in vaccinated gilts and sows vaccinated when challenged with PCV3 in all or two or at least one trimester during the 114 days of gestation.

[0088] In one aspect of the present invention the immunogenic composition is safe for gilts and / or sows from 30 days of gestation, preferably from 40 days of gestation.

[0089] Preferably, the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV comprises between 0.1 µg and 150 µg, preferably between 0.25 µg and 75 µg, more preferably between 0.5 µg and 37.5 µg, even more preferably between 0.5 µg and 15 µg, most preferably between 0.5 µg and 6 µg of the PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV antigen. The immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV can be in amounts of about 0.25 µg, 0.5 µg, 0.75 µg, 1 µg, 1.25 µg, 1.5 µg, 1.75 µg, 2 µg, 2.25 µg, 2.5 µg, 2.75 µg, 3 µg, 3.5 µg, 4 µg, 4.5 µg, 5 µg, 5.5 µg, 6 µg, 6.5 µg, 7 µg, 7.5 µg, 8 µg, 8.5 µg, 9 µg, 9.5 µg, 10 µg, 10.5 µg, 11 µg, 11.5 µg, 12 µg,, 12.5 µg, 13 µg, 13.5 µg, 14 µg, 14.5 µg or 15 µg.

[0090] In one aspect of the present invention the immunogenic composition comprises between 0.1 µg and 150 µg of the PPV VP2 antigen, preferably between 0.5 µg and 30 µg of the immunogenic composition comprising PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV antigens.

[0091] In one aspect, the immunogenic composition protects against a homologous and / or a heterologous challenge.

[0092] The PCV3 ORF2 protein may be produced by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells. The method may include inactivating the baculovirus. Inactivation is conducted in a manner understood in the art. For example, in chemical inactivation, a suitable virus sample or serum sample containing the virus is treated for a sufficient length of time with a sufficient amount or concentration of inactivating agent at a sufficiently high (or low, depending on the inactivating agent) temperature or pH to inactivate the virus. Inactivation by heating is conducted at a temperature and for a length of time sufficient to inactivate the virus. Inactivation by irradiation is conducted using a wavelength of light or other energy source for a length of time sufficient to inactivate the virus. The virus is considered inactivated if it is unable to infect a cell susceptible to infection. The inactivating may comprise heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent. The inactivating agent may comprise an aziridine compound, such as BEI.

[0093] The present disclosure also includes a recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide sequence that encodes a PCV3 ORF2protein. The PCV3 ORF2 may be from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4). In another embodiment, the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO: 4. The recombinant vector may be a baculovirus. In another embodiment, the recombinant vector may comprise at least 90% or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:2.

[0094] It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and / or paragraphs, terms such as "comprises", "comprised", "comprising" and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean "includes", "included", "including", and the like; and that terms such as "consisting essentially of" and "consists essentially of" have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the disclosure.

[0095] The porcine, pig or piglet to which there is administration can have antibodies against a PCV, such as PCV2 and / or PCV3, e.g., maternal antibodies.

[0096] These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by, the following Detailed Description.

[0097] It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and / or paragraphs, terms such as "comprises", "comprised", "comprising" and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean "includes", "included", "including", and the like; and that terms such as "consisting essentially of" and "consists essentially of" have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention.

[0098] These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by, the following Detailed Description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0100] The following detailed description, given by way of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0101] FIG. 1 is the sequence of the PCV3 ORF2 nucleotide sequence in recombinant baculovirus BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, SEQ ID NO:1.

[0102] FIG. 2 is the sequence of the recombinant baculovirus BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, SEQ ID NO:2.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows the map of the recombinant baculovirus containing the PCV3 ORF2 gene under control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter (BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 Clone 4B4- 2E12 Pre-MSV p8).

[0104] FIG.4 shows group median log10 PCV3 DNA genomic copies / mL in serum by study day; Groups 1-5.

[0105] FIG. 5 shows group median log10 PCV3 DNA genomic copies / mL by study day in fecal samples; Groups 1-5.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows group median log10 PCV3 DNA genomic copies / mL by study day in nasal samples; Groups 1-5.

[0107] FIG. 7 shows baseline adjusted, least square group mean rectal temperatures (°F) by study day.

[0108] FIG. 8 shows baseline -adjusted, group least square means daily weight (kg) by day; Groups 1-5.

[0109] FIG.9 shows group mean body temperatures (℉) by day.

[0110] FIG. 10 shows sequence information on the PCV3 PCR positive tissue homogenate used for challenge material (SEQ ID NOs: 3-5).

[0111] FIG.11 shows the median PCR value for Groups 1-5 from seven to forty-nine days.

[0112] FIG.12 shows the median PCR value for Groups 7-9 from seven to forty-nine.

[0113] FIG.13 shows the median PCR values for fecal shedding for Groups 1-5 from seven to forty-nine days.

[0114] FIG.14 shows the median PCR values for nasal shedding for Groups 1-5 from seven to forty-nine days.

[0115] FIG. 15 depicts the arithmetic mean rectal temperature value for Groups 1-6 from fourteen to forty-nine days of the evaluation.

[0116] FIG. 16 depicts the least-squares mean temperature values by group and day for groups 1-5.

[0117] FIG. 17 is a line chart illustrating the mean rectal temperatures of animals (Baseline Adjusted Least-Squares) by Group and Day for Groups 1-5.

[0118] FIG.18 shows the arithmetic mean body weight values for Groups 1-6 from fourteen to forty-nine days.

[0119] FIG.19 is a line graph showing the body weight (Least-Squares) means by Group and Day for Groups 1-5.

[0120] FIG. 20 is a line graph depicting data for Least-Squares Means for body weight (Baseline Adjusted) by Group and day.

[0121] FIG.21 shows a history plot of pre-MSV + 1 production.

[0122] FIG. 22A shows cell count and FIG. 22B shows cell viability and size during infection with BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2.

[0123] FIG.23 shows an analysis of BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 fluids at harvest.

[0124] FIG.24 shows images of inactivations at 72 hours.

[0125] FIG. 25 shows western comparison of inactivation conditions for BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 antigen - post inactivation.

[0126] FIG.26 shows a PCV3 ORF2 fluorescent dot blot.

[0127] FIG. 27 shows a plot of observed viremia in the sample population of pigs post- challenge based on the log10 genomic copies / mL. All control pigs were viremic as determined by PCR at each sampling point during the challenge phase, and the viral load at each sampling point during the challenge phase was significantly reduced by vaccination (P£0.0050).

[0128] FIG. 28 shows a plot of the measured mean rectal temperatures (°F) pre-challenge (D12, D13, D14) and post-challenge (D14.5-D20).

[0129] FIG.29 shows a plot of the observed viremia in gilts challenged at D83 (40 days into gestation). Numbers indicate genomic copies / mL. The Y-axis is shown on a linear scale to accurately represent values at zero. Arrows indicate administration of primary vaccine, booster and challenge.

[0130] FIG. 30 shows a bar graph indicating the percent of affected piglets based on the observed number of autolyzed, crushed, mummified born piglets from farrowing sow of each treatment group.

[0131] FIG.31 shows the alignment of the amino acid sequence of the PCV3 capsid with the capsid of porcine PCV2 and the capsid of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV).

[0132] FIG. 33 shows the structure of the PCV3 ORF2 mutant in the FG loop having mutations in the lysines and histidines.

[0133] FIG.33 shows the structure of the PCV3 ORF2 mutant wherein the native stop codon for the PCV3 capsid protein was mutated and the C-terminus was extended to the next stop codon.

[0134] FIG.34 depicts the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of a PCV3 ORF2 mutant in the FG loop having mutations in the lysines and histidines and a PCV3 ORF2 mutant wherein the native stop codon for the PCV3 capsid protein was mutated and the C-terminus was extended to the next stop codon (SEQ ID NOs: 6-9).

[0135] FIG.35 depicts the amino acid sequence of Mutated PCV3 ORF2“FG-PC” (SEQ ID NO: 10).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0136] The present disclosure relates to a PCV3 vaccine.

[0137] Any sequence of PCV3 is contemplated. See, eg., Phan, Tung Gia, et al.“Detection of a Novel Circovirus PCV3 in Pigs with Cardiac and Multi-Systemic Inflammation.” Virology Journal, vol. 13, no. 1, 2016, p. 184, doi:10.1186 / s12985-016-0642-z. Published November 11, 2016 and Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

[0138] The PCV3 ORF2 and the PCV3 genome sequences were derived from KT869077 (GenBank). Whole PCV3 genome in a plasmid was used and described in the Examples. ORF2 and whole genome were synthesized at Genscript.

[0139] Two additional constructs, re-circularized PCV3 genome derived by two different methods, were used in cell culture to rescue the virus.

[0140] The following sequences are presented in the sequence listing:

[0141] PCV3 ORF2“FG” is an antigenic protein according to the present invention that comprises amino acid substitutions in the FG loop of the natural PCV3 ORF2 protein.

[0142] PCV3 ORF2“PC” is an antigenic protein according to the present invention that comprises an amino acid extension at the C terminal end of the natural PCV3 ORF2 protein.

[0143] In a preferred aspect, the polypeptide of the present disclosure is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein, such as a recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2 protein. The term "recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein", as used herein, in particular refers to a protein molecule which is expressed from a recombinant DNA molecule, such as a polypeptide, which is produced by recombinant DNA techniques. An example of such techniques includes the case when DNA encoding the expressed protein is inserted into a suitable expression vector, preferably a baculovirus expression vector, which is in turn used to transfect, or in case of a baculovirus expression vector to infect, a host cell to produce the protein or polypeptide encoded by the DNA. The term "recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein", as used herein, thus in particular refers to a protein molecule, which is expressed from a recombinant DNA molecule.

[0144] According to a particular example, the recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein is produced by a method with the following steps: The gene for PCV3 ORF2 is cloned into a baculovirus transfer vector; the transfer vector is used to prepare recombinant baculovirus containing said gene by homologous recombination in insect cells; and the PCV3 ORF2 protein is then expressed in insect cells during infection with the recombinant baculovirus.

[0145] It is further understood that the term "recombinant PCV3 protein consisting of a sequence" in particular also concerns any cotranslational and / or posttranslational modification or modifications of the sequence affected by the cell in which the polypeptide is expressed. Thus, the term "recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein consisting of a sequence", as described herein, is also directed to the sequence having one or more modifications effected by the cell in which the polypeptide is expressed, in particular modifications of amino acid residues effected in the protein biosynthesis and / or protein processing, preferably selected from the group consisting of glycosylations, phosphorylations, and acetylations.

[0146] Preferably, the recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein according to the disclosure is produced or obtainable by a baculovirus expression system, in particular in cultured insect cells.

[0147] In yet a further preferred aspect, the polypeptide of the present disclosure is a PCV3 ORF2 protein comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, preferably at least 92%, more preferably at least 94%, even more preferably at least 96%, still more preferably at least 98%, or in particular 100% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

[0148] "Sequence Identity" as it is known in the art refers to a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, namely a reference sequence and a given sequence to be compared with the reference sequence. Sequence identity is determined by comparing the given sequence to the reference sequence after the sequences have been optimally aligned to produce the highest degree of sequence similarity, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. Upon such alignment, sequence identity is ascertained on a position-by-position basis, e.g., the sequences are "identical" at a particular position if at that position, the nucleotides or amino acid residues are identical. The total number of such position identities is then divided by the total number of nucleotides or residues in the reference sequence to give % sequence identity. Sequence identity can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to, those described in Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. N., ed., Oxford University Press, New York (1988), Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York (1993); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey (1994); Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinge, G., Academic Press (1987); Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M. StocktonPress, New York (1991); and Carillo, H., and Lipman, D., SIAM J. Applied Math., 48: 1073 (1988), the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred methods to determine the sequence identity are designed to give the largest match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine sequence identity are codified in publicly available computer programs which determine sequence identity between given sequences. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to, the GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 12(1):387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN and FASTA (Altschul, S. F. et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990). The BLASTX program is publicly available from NCBI and other sources (BLAST Manual, Altschul, S. et al., NCVI NLM NIH Bethesda, Md. 20894, Altschul, S. F. et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990), the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). These programs optimally align sequences using default gap weights in order to produce the highest level of sequence identity between the given and reference sequences. As an illustration, by a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence having at least, for example, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% "sequence identity" to a reference nucleotide sequence, it is intended that the nucleotide sequence of the given polynucleotide is identical to the reference sequence except that the given polynucleotide sequence may include up to 15, preferably up to 10, even more preferably up to 5 point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference nucleotide sequence. In other words, in a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence having at least 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% identity relative to the reference nucleotide sequence, up to 15%, preferably 10%, even more preferably 5% of the nucleotides in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another nucleotide, or a number of nucleotides up to 15%, preferably 10%, even more preferably 5% of the total nucleotides in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. These mutations of the reference sequence may occur at the 5' or 3' terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. Analogously, by a polypeptide having a given amino acid sequence having at least, for example, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% sequence identity to a reference amino acid sequence, it is intended that the given amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is identical to the reference sequence except that the given polypeptide sequence may include up to 15, preferably up to 10, even more preferably up to 5amino acid alterations per each 100 amino acids of the reference amino acid sequence. In other words, to obtain a given polypeptide sequence having at least 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% sequence identity with a reference amino acid sequence, up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another amino acid, or a number of amino acids up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the total number of amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. These alterations of the reference sequence may occur at the amino or the carboxy terminal positions of the reference amino acid sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among residues in the reference sequence or in the one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. Preferably, residue positions which are not identical differ by conservative amino acid substitutions. However, conservative substitutions are not included as a match when determining sequence identity.

[0149] "Sequence homology", as used herein, refers to a method of determining the relatedness of two sequences. To determine sequence homology, two or more sequences are optimally aligned, and gaps are introduced if necessary. However, in contrast to "sequence identity", conservative amino acid substitutions are counted as a match when determining sequence homology. In other words, to obtain a polypeptide or polynucleotide having 95% sequence homology with a reference sequence, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% of the amino acid residues or nucleotides in the reference sequence must match or comprise a conservative substitution with another amino acid or nucleotide, or a number of amino acids or nucleotides up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the total amino acid residues or nucleotides, not including conservative substitutions, in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. Preferably the homologous sequence comprises at least a stretch of 50, even more preferably 100, even more preferably 250, even more preferably 500 nucleotides.

[0150] A "conservative substitution" refers to the substitution of an amino acid residue or nucleotide with another amino acid residue or nucleotide having similar characteristics or properties including size, hydrophobicity, etc., such that the overall functionality does not change significantly.

[0151] The present invention also encompasses mutations of PCV3 proteins, such as but not limited to mutations of the PCV3 capsid protein. Despite the divergence of the capsid amino acid sequences between PCV2 and beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), the crystal structures are very similar despite their sequence divergence. Advantageously, the mutations of PCV3 are to stabilize virus-like particles (VLPs). The PCV3 capsid protein should self-assemble into a VLP, however, the level of expression of the PCV3 protein is significantly lower as compared to the PCV2 capsid protein. Specifically, only about 20% of the protein assembles into VLPs whereas the remaining 80% of the protein aggregates into an insoluble fraction.

[0152] In some embodiments, the variant protein of the present invention is capable of a higher yield of VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1. It is understood that higher yield in particular– and for example - relates to higher molar yield. Alternatively expressed, the variant protein of the present invention is capable of a larger assembly of CAP (capsid (ORF2) protein) VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1. Examples of higher yields include at least 5% higher yield, or at least 10% higher yield, or at least 15% higher yield, or at least 20% higher yield, or at least 25% higher yield, or at least 30% higher yield, or at least 35% higher yield, or at least 40% higher yield, or at least 50% higher yield. Thus, for example, if without a modification of the PCV3 ORF2 protein, by baculorvirus expression, there is 20% PCV3 soluble protein (VLP) and 80% PCV3 insoluble protein, e.g., by Western Blot, and by the modification there is, instead, 25%, or 30%, or 35%, or 40%, or 45%, or 50%, or 55%, or 60% or higher PCV3 soluble protein (VLP) (whereby there has been an increase of 5% or 10%, or 15%, or 20%, or 25%, or 30%, or 35%, or 40%, or 45%, etc of PCV3 soluble protein (VLP)), that represents a higher yield. Advantageously, from modifying the PCV3 ORF2 protein, the VLP yield (soluble PCV3 proteins) is at least 50% of the PCV3 proteins expressed by the recombinant baculovirus system.

[0153] Assays and techniques suitable for use in the present invention include those that have been used for the tracking or quantifying the assembly and disassembly of porcine circovirus capsid (ORF2) protein into virus-like particles (VLPs) and these include: enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), SDS / PAGE optionally with silver stain or coomassie stain, western blot or immunoblot, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), dynamic light scattering (DLS) or multi-angled light scattering (MALS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation, and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis (FSA) optionally coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additional suitable techniques may also include: agarose gel retardation tests of protein-nucleic acid complexes, immune diffusion tests e.g. single radial immunodiffusion (SRID), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), metabolic labelling and chemiluminescent enzyme-based assays. Each of these assays is well- known in the art and is described in, for example, Fang, Mingli et al.“Detection of the Assembly and Disassembly of PCV2b Virus-Like Particles Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy Analysis” Intervirology vol.58, 2015, pp.318-323; Thompson, Christine et al.“Analytical technologies for influenza virus-like particle candidate vaccines: challenges and emerging approaches” Virology Journal vol 10, 2013, p.141; Steppert, Petra et al.“Quantification and characterization of virus- like particles by size-exclusion chromatography and nanoparticle tracking analysis” Journal of Chromatography A vol.1487, 2017, pp.89-99; Yadav, Shalini et al.“A facile quantitative assay for viral particle genesis reveals cooperativity in virion assembly and saturation of an antiviral protein” Virology, vol 429, No. 2, 2012, pp. 155-162; and Zeltins, Andris“Construction and Characterization of Virus-Like Particles: A Review” Molecular Biotechnology vol.53, 2013, pp. 92-107, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0154] In one aspect, the variant protein of the present invention is capable of a higher yield of VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 as determinable by Western blot analysis. In other words, the variant protein of the present invention is capable of a larger assembly of CAP VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 as determinable by Western blot analysis.

[0155] In the various embodiments discussed herein wherein there is mutation or mutations of the PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, e.g., to increase VLP yield. For example, in various embodiments there can be one, two, three, or four mutations in the FG loop. Exemplified and discussed herein are embodiments that may involve the SKKK of the PCV3 ORF2 protein FG Loop replaced with QPFS (e.g., a PCV2 ORF2 protein motif). In making the substitution(s), the skilled artisan can practice the invention by only replacing the S with Q or only replacing the first K with P or only replacing the second K with F or only replacing the third K with S, or any combinations of these replacements, e.g., S to Q and first K to P or S to Q and second K to F or S to Q and third K to S, or S to Q and first K to P and second K to F, or S to Q and first K to P and third K to S, etc. Likewise, in theseembodiments, in addition to or as an alternative to the replacement(s) or mutation(s) in the FG loop, the skilled artisan can practice the invention by adding amino acids to the C- terminus of the PCV3 ORF2 protein. Without an extension or addition to the C-terminus, the PCV3 ORF2 protein may be, in the three dimensional structure, buried, versus exposed as are the C-terminus of other circovirus ORF2 or capsid proteins. In embodiments where there is extension or addition of the C-terminus of the PCV3 ORF2 protein, it may be advantageous to extend or add to the C-terminus of the PCV3 ORF2 protein with a motif from another circovirus, such as, for example, PCV2. Thus, for instance, one skilled in the art can extend or add to the C-terminus of the PCV3 ORF2 protein with amino acids found at the C-terminus of a PCV2 ORF2 protein or capsid protein, such as amino acids 215-234 or 215-233 of a PCV2 ORF2 protein or capsid protein. The skilled artisan can extend or add to the PCV3 ORF2 protein or capsid protein with epitope(s) of a PCV2 ORF2 protein or capsid protein. In this regard, mention is made of Trible et al.,“Antibody Recognition of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Capsid Protein Epitopes after Vaccination, Infection and Disease, Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 18(5): 749-757 (2011) doi:10.1128 / CVI.00418-10 (incorporated herein by reference). In PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein immunoreactive regions are reported between residues 47 and 85, 165 and 200, and 200 and 233. Antibody reactive regions of PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein are reported as between amino acids 23 and 43, 71 and 85, 117 and 131, and 171 and 202. The PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein region of amino acids 117 to 131 is reported as a dominant antibody recognition region, and amino acids 156 to 162, 175 to 192, 195 to 202 and 228 to 223 are reported as associated with antibody recognition. Another PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein epitope is 169- STIDYFQPNNKR, e.g., amino acids 169-180 (wherein Y-173, F-174, Q-175, and K-179 amino acid residues may contribute to antibody recognition). Other PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein epitopes can be amino acids 43-233, 43-135, 43-160, 91-160, 43-180, 160-233, 135-233 and 91-233, as well as amino acids 169-188. Any of these, or any combination of these PCV2 ORF2 epitope(s) can be the C-terminus extension or addition to the PCV3 ORF2 (capsid) protein. In this regard, it is mentioned that the C-terminus extension of PCV3 ORF2 can be up to about 200 amino acids, or up to about 190 amino acids, or up to about 185 amino acids, or up to about 180 amino acids, or up to about 175 amino acids, or up to about 170 amino acids or up to about 165 amino acids, or up to about 160 amino acids or up to about155 amino acids, or up to about 150 amino acids, or up to about 145 amino acids, or up to about 140 amino acids, or up to about 135 amino acids, or up to about 130 amino acids, or up to about 125 amino acids, or up to about 120 amino acids, or up to about 115 amino acids, or up to about 110 amino acids, or up to about 105 amino acids, or up to about 100 amino acids, up to about 90 amino acids, or up to about 80 amino acids or up to about 70 amino acids, or up to about 60 amino acids, or up to about 50 amino acids, or up to about 40 amino acids, or up to about 30 amino acids, in length; for instance, from 1-50 amino acids or 10-50 amino acids or 10-40 amino acids or 20 to 40 amino acids or about 30 amino acids in length.

[0156] In embodiments where a composition contains a PCV3 ORF2 (capsid) protein of the invention, e.g., such a protein that has been mutated, e.g., wherein the mutation includes addition or extension of the C-terminus, e.g., wherein the addition or extension of the C- terminus comprises epitope(s) of PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein, and the composition also includes a PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein (e.g., for a one-shot administration against both PCV2 and PCV3 or indications or symptoms or conditions thereof, e.g., each from baculovirus expression, e.g., alone or with one or more antigen of a porcine pathogen, such as those antigen(s) or porcine pathogen(s) disclosed throughout this disclosure), it may be advantageous that the PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein epitope(s) be of a clade that is the same as or different than that of the PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein included in the composition. For example, if the PCV2 ORF2 (capsid) protein component is from PCV2a strains (as Ingelvac CircoFlex may be based upon), it may be advantageous for the addition or extension on the PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein (C-terminus) to be from a different clade, e.g., a PCV2b, PCV2c, or PCVd-mPCV2b genotype. With respect to PCV2 genotypes or strains or clade, mention is made of Franzo et al.,“Revisiting the taxonomical classification of Porcine Circovirus type w (PCV2): still a real challenge,” Virol J 12: 131 (2015) doi: 10.1186 / s12985-015-0361-x (incorporated herein by reference). It may be advantageous that the PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein C-terminus addition or extension be of the same clade, strain or genotype as that of the PCV2 ORF2 capsid protein component of the composition, or a different clade, strain or genotype, but is an eptipe of a PCV2 ORF2 capsid protein that provides an immunological response against one or more of the PCV2 clades, strains or genotypes. With respect to the foregoing, and more generally, the mutated PCV3 ORF2 capsid proteins of theinvention discussed throughout this disclosure, the invention comprehends nucleic acid molecules encoding such mutated PCV3 ORF2 capsid proteins, vectors, such as baculovirus vectors (see EP 2 460821 A2, incorporated herein by reference, along with the documents cited therein as the methods and materials therein for expressing PCV2 ORF2 capsid protein via a baculovirus expression system can be employed in the practice of the present invention to express PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, including such mutated proteins as herein disclosed, as well as a PCV2 ORF2 capsid protein, if desired to include such in a composition of the invention), containing such nucleic acid molecules, and methods for producing or expressing such mutated PCV3 ORF2 capsid proteins of the invention, such as by infecting or transfecting relevant cells with the vector (e.g., if the vector be baculovirus, a relevant cell can be an insect or Sf cell or Sf+ cell; see EP 2 460 821 A2, incorporated herein by reference, along with the documents cited therein). It is advantageous to recover or isolate the protein after expression or production, e.g., separating solids and retaining liquid or supernatant that contains soluble protein (e.g., VLPs). Compositions as discussed in this paragraph as well as throughout this disclosure can contain mutated PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein (and optionally additionally PCV2 ORF2 capsid protein and / or one or more additional antigen of a porcine pathogen), in amounts as discussed throughout this disclosure, and can be administered in regimen(s) as discussed throughout this disclosure, such as in a one-shot, or single dose, administration, and can be so administered to pigs or piglets as discussed throughout this disclosure.

[0157] In the context of the invention, the protein of the present invention as the antigen in the composition, such as the immunological composition, prevents or treats a PCV3 infection- associated disease or condition in a subject by for example inducing, stimulating or enhancing the immune response against PCV3.

[0158] Previous studies have shown that expressing the full-length PCV3 cap gene and NLS domains presenting within the N-terminal arginine rich motif (ARM) may cause misfolding of the protein and induce formation of circular virus complexes of 10–12 nm (Sarker et al. Nat Commun. 2016 Oct 4; 7():13014). Wang et al. (AMB Expr 10, 3 (2020) https: / / doi.org / 10.1186 / s13568-019-0940-0) reported the ability of PCV3 VLPs to self-assemble which were successfully expressed in E. coli and applied in the development of an ELISA for testing the specific antibodies of clinical pig serum. Specifically, to achieve high-level expression of recombinant PCV3 Cap in E. coli, the gene of wild-type entire Cap (wt-eCap) wasamplified from clinical samples, and three optimized entire Cap (opti-eCap) and one optimized Cap deleted nuclear location signal (NLS) (opti-dCap) gene fragments encoding the same amino acid sequence with wt-eCap were synthesized based on the codon bias of E. coli. Unlike the present invention, regions beside the NLS of the PCV3 capsid have not been targeted with respect to VLP assembly and / or stability. Furthermore, removal of the NLS does not necessarily result in improved VLP assembly. However, embodiments of the invention can include removal or alteration of the PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein NLS, e.g., in addition to one or more of the FG loop mutations and / or C-terminus extension(s) discussed herein.

[0159] In an advantageous embodiment, the present invention encompasses mutating regions encoding positively charged amino acids in PCV proteins, such as but not limited to a PCV3 capsid protein. In particular, PCV3 capsid contains large amounts of positive charge in the FG loop, which sits at the 5-fold interface of the PCV3 capsid. The large amount of positive charge in this region may result in repulsive forces without the presence of nucleic acid, as would be expected of VLPs. In one embodiment of the invention, the positively charged amino acids are mutated to neutral and / or negative charged amino acids. In an advantageous embodiment, the lysines and histidine in this loop are mutated to the amino acids from PCV2 capsid (SEQ ID NO: 6).

[0160] In an embodiment, the invention provides an engineered PCV3 ORF2 protein comprising reduced amounts of positive charged amino acids as compared to a non-engineered PCV3 ORF2 protein. The non-engineered protein can be a wild-type or naturally occurring PCV3 ORF2 protein or can be an ORF2 protein already modified for another purpose for which it is desired to improve capsid formation activity, such as improved self-assembly in the presence or absence of a packageable polynucleotide.

[0161] In an embodiment, one or more positively charged amino acids are substituted, such as one or more lysine, arginine, or histidine, or combination thereof. In an embodiment, two or more positively charged amino acids are substituted. In an embodiment, three or more positively charged amino acids are substituted. In certain embodiments, charge associated with a region of the ORF2 protein, such as but not limited to the FG loop, is made more negative by substituting in one or more negatively charged amino acids. In certain embodiments, positively charged amino acids are substituted by amino acids that are less positively charged, and / or non-positively charged amino acids are substituted by amino acids more negatively charged. That is, the chargeof a region of ORF2 can be made by altered by removing positive charge, adding negative charge, or both.

[0162] In an advantageous embodiment, the present invention encompasses adding additional amino acids to PCV proteins, such as but not limited to a PCV3 capsid protein. The short hydrophobic nature of the PCV3 capsid C-terminus would lead to the C-terminus being buried in the capsid and could lead to VLP instability without the presence of nucleic acid. In contrast, the C-terminus of PCV2 and BFDV capsid proteins project out away from the capsid. In one embodiment, the C-terminus of the PCV3 capsid is extended by about 1 to 50 amino acids, about 10 to 40, amino acids, or about 20 to 30 amino acids. In another embodiment, the C-terminus of the PCV3 capsid is extended by about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39 or about 40 amino acids. In an advantageous embodiment, the C-terminus of the PCV3 capsid protein is extended by mutating the stop codon. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the native stop codon for the PCV3 capsid protein is mutated and the C-terminus was extended to the next stop codon in the virus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7). In another embodiment, the C-termimus of the PCV capsid may be extended and / or swapped out with the C-terminus of other porcine circoviruses. The C- termimus of the PCV3 capsid protein may be extended about 50 to about 200 amino acids, about 60 to about 190 amino acids, about 70 to about 180 amino acids, about 80 to about 170 amino acids, about 90 to about 160 amino acids or about 100 to about 150 amino acids.

[0163] In certain embodiments, C-terminal extension comprises addition of amino acids at the C-terminus of a PCV3 capsid, for example by mutation of a stop codon. A stop codon can be mutated by deletion, substitution or insertion. In certain embodiments, C-terminal extension comprise insertion of amino acids near the C-terminus, including but not limited to insertion of amino acids one residue from the C-terminus, or two residues from the C-terminus, or three residues, or four residues, or five residues, or six, or seven, or eight, or more residues upstream form the C-terminus. In one embodiment, the residues may be any set of negatively charged amin acids.

[0164] It should be understood that the proteins of the invention may differ from the exact sequences illustrated and described herein. Thus, the invention contemplates deletions, additions and substitutions to the sequences shown, so long as the sequences function in accordance withthe methods of the invention. In this regard, particularly preferred substitutions will generally be conservative in nature, i.e., those substitutions that take place within a family of amino acids. For example, amino acids are generally divided into four families: (1) acidic--aspartate and glutamate; (2) basic--lysine, arginine, histidine; (3) non-polar--alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan; and (4) uncharged polar--glycine, asparagine, glutamine, cysteine, serine threonine, tyrosine. Phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine are sometimes classified as aromatic amino acids. It is reasonably predictable that an isolated or non-naturally occurring replacement of leucine with isoleucine or valine, or vice versa; an aspartate with a glutamate or vice versa; a threonine with a serine or vice versa; or a similar conservative replacement of an amino acid with a structurally related amino acid, will not have a major effect on the biological activity. Proteins having substantially the same amino acid sequence as the sequences illustrated and described but possessing minor amino acid substitutions that do not substantially affect the immunogenicity of the protein are, therefore, within the scope of the invention.

[0165] The invention further encompasses nucleotide sequences encoding functionally and / or antigenically equivalent variants and derivatives of the antigens of the invention and functionally equivalent fragments thereof. These functionally equivalent variants, derivatives, and fragments display the ability to retain antigenic activity. For instance, changes in a DNA sequence that do not change the encoded amino acid sequence, as well as those that result in conservative substitutions of amino acid residues, one or a few amino acid deletions or additions, and substitution of amino acid residues by amino acid analogs are those which will not significantly affect properties of the encoded polypeptide. Conservative amino acid substitutions are glycine / alanine; valine / isoleucine / leucine; asparagine / glutamine; aspartic acid / glutamic acid; serine / threonine / methionine; lysine / arginine; and phenylalanine / tyrosine / tryptophan. In one embodiment, the variants have at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% homology or identity to the antigen, epitope, immunogen, peptide or polypeptide of interest.

[0166] In some embodiments, the substitution introduces a conservative change, which replaces the amino acid with another amino acid of similar chemical structure, similar chemicalproperties or similar side-chain volume. The amino acids introduced may have similar polarity, hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity to the amino acids they replace. Conservative amino acid changes are well known in the art. Where amino acids have similar polarity, this can also be determined by reference to the hydropathy scale for amino acid side chains.

[0167] Conservative amino acid changes may also be determined by reference to the Point Accepted Mutation (PAM) or BLOcks Substitution Matrix (BLOSUM) family of scoring matrices for conservation of amino acid sequence. Thus, conservative amino acid changes may be members of an equivalence group, being a set of amino acids having mutually positive scores in the similarity representation of the scoring matrix selected for use in an alignment of the reference and mutant polypeptide chains.

[0168] It is to be understood non-polar amino acids include amino acids with aliphatic side chains and amino acids with aromatic side chains. The amino acid proline is classified as non- polar but it also has the property of being rigid and can cause changes in secondary structure. For example prolines are often found at the end of helices. Also, depending on the specific context of the side chain of a given amino acid residue, for example the amino acid tyrosine, generally classed as non-polar due to its aromatic ring, may have analogous functional effects to a polar amino acid residue such as threonine via its hydroxyl group. Thus, tyrosine may be considered to be both a non-polar and a polar amino acid for the purposes of the invention. Furthermore, amino acids which are described as polar or hydrophilic may be uncharged or charged, and may also be basic or acidic. The amino acid histidine is well known to have a pKa value near 7, so that at neutral pH depending upon the protein environment, it may or not be protonated on its side chain, and thus may or not carry a charge. Thus, histidine may be considered to be both a polar charged or a polar uncharged amino acid residue for the purposes of the invention.

[0169] The mutations discussed herein are generally introduced into the protein by using methods known in the art, such as site directed mutagenesis of the protein, PCR and gene shuffling methods or by the use of multiple mutagenic oligonucleotides in cycles of site-directed mutagenesis. Thus, the mutations may be introduced in a directed or random manner. The mutagenesis method thus produces one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more different mutants.

[0170] The development of a recombinant baculovirus containing the Porcine Circovirus 3 ORF2 gene under control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter (BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 Clone4B4-2E12 Pre-MSV p8; lot no.3624-039) is described in Example 1. In some embodiments, the use of such a recombinant baculovirus described in Example 1 in a vaccine may encompass killed and / or inactivated versions of the recombinant virus. Alternatively, in some vaccines, a recombinant virus, for example similar to that shown in Example 1, may be used as a live, modified virus.

[0171] FIG. 1B provides the sequence of the recombinant baculovirus BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, SEQ ID NO:2. The backbone sequence annotations are from Genbank accession NC_001623. One of skill in the art will appreciate that minor mutations in the backbone from construct to construct is to be expected given the complexity of the DNA sequence. A map of the construct is shown in Fig. 2. The baculovirus expression vector, BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, may be used to develop PCV3 vaccines and / or controls. Preferred adjuvants for a given vaccine and / or control may differ based on the type of expression vector used, for example, live, live modified, inactivated, or killed. Adjuvant effectiveness may vary based on the status of the vector (e.g., virus) used. An amount of adjuvant used in a vaccine may be predetermined, for example, a predetermined percentage may be selected to be within a given range (e.g., weight percentage and / or volume percentage in the vaccine) for a given adjuvant and / or combination of adjuvants. In some instances, for example, when using live vaccines multiple adjuvants may be used. For example, in some embodiments, a combination of adjuvants such as carbopol and Montanide ISA 207VG may be used. Alternatively, a vaccine that includes a live expression vector, such as BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, may be adjuvanted with ISA 207VG and / or carbopol. For example, the adjuvant may be present in the vaccine at a predetermined concentration. For example, a vaccine may include a concentration of 50% ISA 207VG by weight of the vaccine. Alternatively, another vaccine including live BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 may include an adjuvant, such as carbopol at 20% by volume of the vaccine.

[0172] Vaccines that include killed expression vectors, such as viruses, may include carbopol as an adjuvant. For example, a vaccine that includes killed BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 may in some embodiments include carbopol as the effective adjuvant. For example, such a vaccine may include a predetermined amount of adjuvant, for example a predetermined weight or volume percentage of the vaccine. In particular, a vaccine that includes killed BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 may include carbopol at 20% by volume of the vaccine. Alternately, a vaccine may include killed BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 and adjuvant at about 50% of the weight of the vaccine solution.For example, a vaccine that includes killed BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2 may include ISA 207VG as an adjuvant at a predetermined weight percentage of the vaccine, such as fifty percent.

[0173] For example, the Baculovirus expression vector BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, was used to develop two PCV3 vaccines and a control as outlined herein:

[0174] Development of BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; live, adjuvanted with 50% ISA 207VG vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 3.)

[0175] Development of BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; live, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 4.)

[0176] Development of the control - BaculoG / no insert, P4; live, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 5.)

[0177] Development of BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; killed, adjuvanted with 50% ISA 207VG vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 3.)

[0178] Development of BaculoG / PCV3 ORF2, P9; killed, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 4.)

[0179] Development of the control - BaculoG / no insert, P4; killed, adjuvanted with 20% carbopol vaccine (methods used to develop the vaccine are disclosed in Example 5.)

[0180] Efficacy of the vaccines may be tested using PCV3 whole virus and PCR positive tissue (low count). Homogenates from the tissues may be generated and sequenced. The homogenates and / or the whole virus may be used to challenge vaccinated animals.

[0181] For example, in order to test the efficacy of the vaccines, PCV3 whole virus and PCR positive tissue (low count) were provided. Homogenates from the tissues were generated and sequenced. The homogenates and whole virus were used to challenge vaccinated animals.

[0182] The PCV3 recombinant ORF2 protein subunit vaccine and / or an immunogenic composition of the instant disclosure may be produced using a method of WO 2006 / 072065, Example 1, modified to express PCV3 ORF2 protein (rather than PCV2 ORF2 protein).

[0183] The PCV3 ORF2 coding sequence may be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from PCV3 genomic DNA and / or a synthetically synthesized PCV3 ORF2. Restriction sites may be used to insert the desired coding sequence into a transfer vector. For example, in some embodiments, an amplified PCV3 ORF2 coding sequence may include a Kozak consensus sequence (see, e.g., Kozak M (October 1987) Nucleic Acids Res.15 (20): 8125–8148) directly 5’ of the start codon along with flanking restriction enzyme sites.

[0184] In some embodiments, the amplified PCV3 ORF2 coding sequence may be subcloned into a baculovirus transfer vector utilizing the flanking restriction sites to generate the desired transfer vector. For example, the amplified PCV3 ORF2 coding sequence may be subcloned into a baculovirus transfer vector utilizing the flanking restriction sites to generate transfer vectors such as pVL1392-PCV3 ORF2 or pVL1393-PCV3 ORF2. Other transfer vectors commonly known in the art may be used. Recombinant baculovirus may be generated by co-transfection of insect cells with a transfer vector and baculovirus DNA. Baculovirus DNA used may include linearized and / or circular baculovirus DNA. For example, in an embodiment, recombinant baculovirus may be generated by co-transfection of Sf9 (Spodoptera frugiperda) insect cells with a transfer vector (e.g., such as pVL1392-PCV3 ORF2 and / or pVL1393-PCV3) and linearized BaculoGoldTMbaculovirus DNA. The linearized baculovirus DNA may be derived from Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and may contain a lethal deletion in the polyhedrin locus, therefore, rescue of viable baculovirus may be generated upon co- transfection with a transfer vector, such as pVL1392-PCV3 ORF2 and / or pVL1393-PCV3 ORF2. The resulting recombinant baculovirus may include a PCV3 ORF2 coding sequence under control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter. The recombinant baculovirus may be amplified on Sf9 insect cells and subsequently purified by limiting dilution cloning on Sf9 insect cells. In some embodiments, a full length circular baculovirus DNA such as Bac-to-Bac may be used. For example, Bac-to-Bac may uses transposon-mediated recombination to insert a gene of interest into a polyhedron locus. Other methods known in the art may also be used. In some embodiments, a method may be chosen based on the potential stability of the method during commercialization. For example, baculoviruses that confer increased stability in the vaccine may be selected.

[0185] In some embodiments, after seeding flasks with of a master cell culture, the flasks may be incubated at a predetermined temperature and for a specific time frame. For example, a culture may be incubated at 27°C for four hours. Each flask may then be seeded with a recombinant baculovirus containing the PCV3 ORF2 gene. For example, a pVL1392 plasmid containing a PCV3 ORF2 gene can be co-transfected with BaculoGold® (BD Biosciences Pharmingen) baculovirus DNA into Sf+ insect cells (Protein Sciences, Meriden, CT) to generate a recombinant baculovirus containing a PCV3 ORF2 gene. The recombinant baculovirus containing the PCV3 ORF2 gene may be plaque-purified and Master Seed Virus (MSV)propagated on the SF+ cell line, aliquotted, and stored at -70°C. The MSV may be positively identified as PCV3 ORF2 baculovirus by PCR-RFLP using baculovirus specific primers. Insect cells infected with PCV3 ORF2 baculovirus to generate MSV or Working Seed Virus may express PCV3 ORF2 antigen as detected by polyclonal serum or monoclonal antibodies in an indirect fluorescent antibody assay. Additionally, the identity of the PCV3 ORF2 baculovirus may be confirmed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. The PCV3 ORF2 baculovirus MSV is also tested for purity in accordance with 9 C.F.R. Sections 113.27 (c), 113.28, and 113.55. Each recombinant baculovirus seeded into the spinner flasks may have varying multiplicities of infection (MOIs).

[0186] After being seeded with the baculovirus, the flasks may be incubated at 27 ± 2°C for 7 days and may also be agitated at 100 rpm during that time. The flasks may use ventilated caps to allow for air flow. Samples from each flask may be taken every 24 hours for the next 7 days. After extraction, each sample may be centrifuged, and both the pellet and the supernatant are separated and then microfiltered through a 0.45-1.0 mm pore size membrane.

[0187] The amount of ORF3 in the resulting samples may then be quantified via an ELISA assay. The ELISA assay may be conducted with an anti-PCV3 antibody diluted to 1:6000 in 0.05M Carbonate buffer (pH 9.6).100 mL of the antibody may then be placed in the wells of the microtiter plate, sealed, and incubated overnight at 37°C. The plate is then washed three times with a wash solution which comprised 0.5mL of Tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO), 100 mL of 1OX D-PBS (Gibco Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and 899.5mL of distilled water. Subsequently, 250 mL of a blocking solution (5g Carnation Non-fat dry milk (Nestle, Glendale, CA) in 10 mL of D-PBS QS to 100 mL with distilled water) is added to each of the wells. The next step is to wash the test plate and then add pre-diluted antigen. The pre-diluted antigen is produced by adding 200 mL of diluent solution (0.5 mL Tween 20 in 999.5 mL D-PBS) to each of the wells on a dilution plate. The sample is then diluted at a 1:240 ratio and a 1:480 ratio, and 100 mL of each of these diluted samples is then added to one of the top wells on the dilution plate (i.e. one top well received 100 mL of the 1:240 dilution and the other received 100 mL of the 1:480 dilution). Serial dilutions may then be done for the remainder of the plate by removing 100 mL from each successive well and transferring it to the next well on the plate. Each well is mixed prior to doing the next transfer. The test plate washing includes washing the plate three times with the wash buffer. The plate is then sealed and incubated for an hour at 37°C before beingwashed three more times with the wash buffer. The detection antibody used is an antibody to PCV ORF2. It is diluted to 1 to 300 in diluent solution, and 100 mL of the diluted detection antibody was then added to the wells. The plate is then sealed and incubated for an hour at 37°C before being washed three times with the wash buffer. Conjugate diluent is then prepared by adding normal rabbit serum (Jackson Immunoresearch, West Grove, PA) to the diluent solution to 1% concentration.

[0188] Conjugate antibody Goat anti-mouse (H+1)-HRP (Jackson Immunoresearch) is diluted in the conjugate diluent to 1:10,000. 100 mL of the diluted conjugate antibody is then added to each of the wells. The plate is then sealed and incubated for 45 minutes at 37°C before being washed three times with the wash buffer.100 mL of substrate (TMB Peroxidase Substrate, Kirkgaard and Perry Laboratories (KPL), Gaithersburg, MD), mixed with an equal volume of Peroxidase Substrate B (KPL) is added to each of the wells. The plate is incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes. 100 mL of IN HCL solution is then added to all of the wells to stop the reaction. The plate is then run through an ELISA reader.

[0189] Advantageous insect cells can be cultured, and the PCV3 ORF2 protein produced, under serum-free conditions; such as the serum-free insect cells of USP 6,103,526 (expresSF+ cell line).

[0190] The adjuvants, cell culture supernatants, preservatives, stabilizing agents, viral vectors, immunomodulatory agents and dosages disclosed in US Patent Nos. 9610345 and 9669087 are contemplated, both incorporated herein by reference.

[0191] The immunogenic composition as used herein is effective for inducing an immune response against PCV3 and preventing, reducing and / or lessening the severity of the clinical symptoms associated with PCV3 infection. The composition generally comprises at least one PCV3 antigen.

[0192] PCV3 in pigs may exhibit a wide variety of symptoms and in many cases individual animals exhibit only a small subset of the potential symptoms. Symptoms associated with the presence of PCV3 include viremia, virus shedding, for example, the presence of viral nucleic acids in emissions from the body such as colostrum, milk, feces, saliva, and eye swabs. For example, Jiang et al.,“Induction of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in piglets by infection with porcine circovirus type 3”, J. Virol. doi:10.1128 / JVI.02045-18, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, relates to inoculating piglets with PCV3 and observingresultant clinical signs. The present disclosure relates to treating and / or reducing symptoms of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS)-like disease, lymphocytic dysplasia and necrosis caused by PCV3 by administering a composition of the disclosure.

[0193] The mere presence of antibodies, especially in young pigs or piglets, e.g., pigs or piglets of less than 15 weeks of age, such as less than 10 weeks of age, for instance, less than 6 weeks of age, for instance, less than 3, 2 or 1 week of age or at birth, may not be indicative of exposure to PCV3 and / or disease. Pigs or piglets that have had exposure and / or have antibodies against PCV3 can still enjoy benefits of compositions of the disclosure, e.g., by reducing or preventing or lessening severity of symptoms.

[0194] Thus, the compositions of the disclosure can be used in methods for eliciting an immune response, which can be a protective immune response, as well as methods for reducing or preventing or lessening severity of symptoms and, the dosages, formulations and the like for reducing or preventing or lessening severity of symptoms are as for methods for eliciting an immune response. Thus, herein where methods are described as to eliciting an immune response, these methods can be practiced for reducing or preventing or lessening severity of symptoms; and compositions described herein, which are useful for eliciting an immune response, are likewise useful for and compositions for reducing or preventing or lessening severity of symptoms (as well as being compositions for eliciting an immune response).

[0195] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The term“immunogenic composition” as used herein refers to any pharmaceutical composition containing a PCV3 antigen, which composition can be used to prevent or treat a PCV3 infection-associated disease or condition in a subject. A preferred immunogenic composition can induce, stimulate or enhance the immune response against PCV3. The term thus encompasses both subunit immunogenic compositions, as described below, as well as compositions containing whole killed, or attenuated and / or inactivated PCV3.

[0196] The term“subunit immunogenic composition” as used herein refers to a composition containing at least one immunogenic polypeptide or antigen, but not all antigens, derived from or homologous to an antigen from PCV3. Such a composition is substantially free of intact PCV3. Thus, a“subunit immunogenic composition” is prepared from at least partially purified or fractionated (preferably substantially purified) immunogenic polypeptides from PCV3, orrecombinant analogs thereof. A subunit immunogenic composition can comprise the subunit antigen or antigens of interest substantially free of other antigens or polypeptides from PCV3, or in fractionated form. A preferred immunogenic subunit composition comprises the PCV3 ORF2 protein as described below.

[0197] An“immunological or immune response” to a composition or vaccine is the development in the host of a cellular and / or antibody-mediated immune response to the composition or vaccine of interest. Usually, an“immune response” includes but is not limited to one or more of the following effects: the production or activation of antibodies, B cells, helper T cells, suppressor T cells, and / or cytotoxic T cells and / or gd T cells, directed specifically to an antigen or antigens included in the composition or vaccine of interest. Preferably, the host will display either a therapeutic or protective immunological response such that resistance to new infection will be enhanced and / or the clinical severity of the disease reduced. Such protection will be demonstrated by either a reduction in number or severity of, or lack of one or more of the symptoms associated with PCV3 infections as described above.

[0198] The terms“immunogenic” protein or polypeptide or“antigen” as used herein refer to an amino acid sequence which elicits an immunological response as described above. An “immunogenic” protein or polypeptide, as used herein, includes the full-length sequence of any PCV3 proteins, analogs thereof, or immunogenic fragments thereof. The term“immunogenic fragment” refers to a fragment of a protein, which includes one or more epitopes and thus elicits the immunological response described above. Such fragments can be identified using any number of epitope mapping techniques, well known in the art. See, e.g., Epitope Mapping Protocols in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol.66 (Glenn E. Morris, Ed., 1996) Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. For example, linear epitopes may be determined by e.g., concurrently synthesizing large numbers of peptides on solid supports, the peptides corresponding to portions of the protein molecule, and reacting the peptides with antibodies while the peptides are still attached to the supports. Such techniques are known in the art and described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,871; Geysen et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3998-4002; Geysen et al. (1986) Molec. Immunol. 23:709-715, all incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, conformational epitopes are readily identified by determining spatial conformation of amino acids such as by, e.g., x-ray crystallography and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance. See, e.g., Epitope Mapping Protocols, supra.

[0199] Synthetic antigens are also included within the definition, for example, polyepitopes, flanking epitopes, and other recombinant or synthetically derived antigens. See, e.g., Bergmann et al. (1993) Eur. J. Immunol. 23:2777-2781; Bergmann et al. (1996), J. Immunol. 157:3242- 3249; Suhrbier, A. (1997), Immunol. and Cell Biol. 75:402-408; Gardner et al., (1998) 12th World AIDS Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, Jun.28-Jul.3, 1998.

[0200] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, an immunogenic composition that induces an immune response and, more preferably, confers protective immunity against the clinical signs of PCV3 infection, is provided. The composition most preferably comprises the polypeptide, or a fragment thereof, expressed by ORF2 of PCV3, as the antigenic component of the composition. PCV3 ORF2 DNA and protein, used herein for the preparation of the compositions and within the processes provided herein is a highly conserved domain within PCV3 isolates and thereby, any PCV3 ORF2 would be effective as the source of the PCV3 ORF2 DNA and / or polypeptide as used herein. A preferred PCV3 ORF2 protein translated from the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1. A preferred PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide is provided herein, but it is understood by those of skill in the art that this sequence could vary by as much as 6-10% in sequence homology and still retain the antigenic characteristics that render it useful in immunogenic compositions. Moreover, the antigenic characteristic of a modified antigen is still retained, when the modified antigen confers at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least 100% of the protective immunity as compared to the PCV3 ORF2 protein, encoded by the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. An“immunogenic composition” as used herein, means a PCV3 ORF2 protein which elicits an “immunological response” in the host of a cellular and / or antibody-mediated immune response to PCV3 ORF2 protein. Preferably, this immunogenic composition is capable of eliciting or enhancing an immune response against PCV3 thereby conferring protective immunity against PCV3 infection and a reduction in the incidence of, severity of, or prevention of one or more, and preferably all of the clinical signs associated therewith.

[0201] In some forms, immunogenic portions of PCV3 ORF2 protein are used as the antigenic component in the composition. The term“immunogenic portion” as used herein refers to truncated and / or substituted forms, or fragments of PCV3 ORF2 protein and / or polynucleotide, respectively. Preferably, such truncated and / or substituted forms, or fragments will comprise at least 6 contiguous amino acids from the full-length ORF2 polypeptide. Morepreferably, the truncated or substituted forms, or fragments will have at least 10, more preferably at least 15, and still more preferably at least 19 contiguous amino acids from the full-length ORF2 polypeptide. It is further understood that such sequences may be a part of larger fragments or truncated forms.

[0202] A further preferred PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide provided herein is encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. However, it is understood by those of skill in the art that this sequence could vary by as much as 6-20% in sequence homology and still retain the antigenic characteristics that render it useful in immunogenic compositions. In some forms, a truncated or substituted form, or fragment of this PVC3 ORF2 polypeptide is used as the antigenic component in the composition. Preferably, such truncated or substituted forms, or fragments will comprise at least 18 contiguous nucleotides from the full-length ORF2 nucleotide sequence. More preferably, the truncated or substituted forms, or fragments, will have at least 30, more preferably at least 45, and still more preferably at least 57 contiguous nucleotides of the full-length ORF2 nucleotide sequence, e.g. SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0203] “Sequence Identity” as it is known in the art refers to a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, namely a reference sequence and a given sequence to be compared with the reference sequence. Sequence identity is determined by comparing the given sequence to the reference sequence after the sequences have been optimally aligned to produce the highest degree of sequence similarity, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences. Upon such alignment, sequence identity is ascertained on a position-by-position basis, e.g., the sequences are“identical” at a particular position if at that position, the nucleotides or amino acid residues are identical. The total number of such position identities is then divided by the total number of nucleotides or residues in the reference sequence to give % sequence identity. Sequence identity can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to, those described in Computational Molecular Biology, Lesk, A. N., ed., Oxford University Press, New York (1988), Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed., Academic Press, New York (1993); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey (1994); Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinge, G., Academic Press (1987); Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds., M. Stockton Press, New York (1991); and Carillo, H., and Lipman, D., SIAM J. Applied Math., 48: 1073(1988), the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred methods to determine the sequence identity are designed to give the largest match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine sequence identity are codified in publicly available computer programs which determine sequence identity between given sequences. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to, the GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 12(1):387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN and FAS TA (Altschul, S. F. et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990). The BLASTX program is publicly available from NCBI and other sources (BLAST Manual, Altschul, S. et al., NCVI NLM NIH Bethesda, Md. 20894, Altschul, S. F. et al., J. Molec. Biol., 215:403-410 (1990), the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). These programs optimally align sequences using default gap weights in order to produce the highest level of sequence identity between the given and reference sequences. As an illustration, by a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence having at least, for example, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95%“sequence identity” to a reference nucleotide sequence, it is intended that the nucleotide sequence of the given polynucleotide is identical to the reference sequence except that the given polynucleotide sequence may include up to 15, preferably up to 10, even more preferably up to 5 point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference nucleotide sequence. In other words, in a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence having at least 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% identity relative to the reference nucleotide sequence, up to 15%, preferably 10%, even more preferably 5% of the nucleotides in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another nucleotide, or a number of nucleotides up to 15%, preferably 10%, even more preferably 5% of the total nucleotides in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. These mutations of the reference sequence may occur at the 5 or 3¢ terminal positions of the reference nucleotide sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among nucleotides in the reference sequence or in one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. Analogously, by a polypeptide having a given amino acid sequence having at least, for example, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% sequence identity to a reference amino acid sequence, it is intended that the given amino acid sequence of the polypeptide is identical to the reference sequence except that the given polypeptide sequence may include up to 15, preferably up to 10, even more preferably up to 5 amino acid alterations per each 100 amino acids of the reference amino acid sequence. In otherwords, to obtain a given polypeptide sequence having at least 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% sequence identity with a reference amino acid sequence, up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be deleted or substituted with another amino acid, or a number of amino acids up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the total number of amino acid residues in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. These alterations of the reference sequence may occur at the amino or the carboxy terminal positions of the reference amino acid sequence or anywhere between those terminal positions, interspersed either individually among residues in the reference sequence or in the one or more contiguous groups within the reference sequence. Preferably, residue positions which are not identical differ by conservative amino acid substitutions. However, conservative substitutions are not included as a match when determining sequence identity.

[0204] “Sequence homology”, as used herein, refers to a method of determining the relatedness of two sequences. To determine sequence homology, two or more sequences are optimally aligned, and gaps are introduced if necessary. However, in contrast to“sequence identity”, conservative amino acid substitutions are counted as a match when determining sequence homology. In other words, to obtain a polypeptide or polynucleotide having 95% sequence homology with a reference sequence, 85%, preferably 90%, even more preferably 95% of the amino acid residues or nucleotides in the reference sequence must match or comprise a conservative substitution with another amino acid or nucleotide, or a number of amino acids or nucleotides up to 15%, preferably up to 10%, even more preferably up to 5% of the total amino acid residues or nucleotides, not including conservative substitutions, in the reference sequence may be inserted into the reference sequence. Preferably the homolog sequence comprises at least a stretch of 50, even more preferably at least 100, even more preferably at least 250, and even more preferably at least 500 nucleotides.

[0205] A“conservative substitution” refers to the substitution of an amino acid residue or nucleotide with another amino acid residue or nucleotide having similar characteristics or properties including size, hydrophobicity, etc., such that the overall functionality does not change significantly.

[0206] “Isolated” means altered“by the hand of man” from its natural state, i.e., if it occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed from its original environment, or both. For example, apolynucleotide or polypeptide naturally present in a living organism is not“isolated,” but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural state is “isolated”, as the term is employed herein.

[0207] Thus, the immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises PCV3 ORF2 protein, wherein said PCV3 ORF2 protein is anyone of those, described above.

[0208] According to a further aspect, PCV3 ORF2 protein is provided in the immunological composition at an antigen inclusion level effective for inducing the desired immune response, namely reducing the incidence of, lessening the severity of, or preventing one or more clinical signs resulting from PCV3 infection. Preferably, the PCV3 ORF2 protein inclusion level is at least 0.2 mg antigen / ml of the final immunogenic composition (mg / ml), more preferably from about 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, still more preferably from about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, even more preferably from about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, still more preferably from about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, still more preferably from about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, still more preferably from about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, even more preferably from about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, even more preferably from about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, still more preferably from about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, even more preferably from about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, even more preferably from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, and most preferably about 1.6 mg / ml.

[0209] According to a further aspect, the ORF2 antigen inclusion level is at least 0.2 mg PCV3 ORF2 protein as described above per dose of the final antigenic composition (mg / dose), more preferably from about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, still more preferably from about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, even more preferably from about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, still more preferably from about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, still more preferably from about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, still more preferably from about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, even more preferably from about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, even more preferably from about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, still more preferably from about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, even more preferably from about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, even more preferably from about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, and most preferably about 1.6 mg / dose. In an embodiment, ORF2 antigen (e.g., PCV3 ORF2 protein) may be present in a dose of the final composition in a range from about 1.3 to about 3 ug. For example, the final antigenic composition may include about 1.6 ug of PCV3 ORF2 protein in a 1 mL dose.

[0210] The PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide used in the immunogenic composition in accordance with the present disclosure can be derived in any fashion including isolation and purification of PCV3 ORF2, standard protein synthesis, and recombinant methodology. Preferred methods for obtaining PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11 / 034,797, the teachings and content of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly, susceptible cells are infected with a recombinant viral vector containing PCV3 ORF2 DNA coding sequences, PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide is expressed by the recombinant virus, and the expressed PCV3 ORF2 polypeptide is recovered from the supernate by filtration and inactivated by any conventional method, preferably using binary ethylenimine, which is then neutralized to stop the inactivation process.

[0211] The immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 protein described above, preferably in concentrations described above, and ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, preferably of a recombinant baculovirus. Moreover, the immunogenic composition can comprise i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrations described above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, preferably of a recombinant baculovirus, and iii) a portion of the cell culture supernatant.

[0212] The immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrations described above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, preferably of a recombinant baculovirus, and iii) a portion of the cell culture; wherein about 90% of the components may have a size smaller than 1 mm.

[0213] The immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrations described above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, iii) a portion of the cell culture, iv) and inactivating agent to inactivate the recombinant viral vector preferably BEI, wherein about 90% of the components i) to iii) may have a size smaller than 1 mm. Preferably, BEI is present in concentrations effective to inactivate the baculovirus. Effective concentrations are described above.

[0214] The immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrationsdescribed above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, iii) a portion of the cell culture, iv) an inactivating agent to inactivate the recombinant viral vector preferably BEI, and v) an neutralization agent to stop the inactivation mediated by the inactivating agent, wherein about 90% of the components i) to iii) may have a size smaller than 1 mm. Preferably, if the inactivating agent is BEI, said composition comprises sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to BEI.

[0215] The polypeptide is incorporated into a composition that can be administered to an animal susceptible to PCV3 infection. In preferred forms, the composition may also include additional components known to those of skill in the art (see also Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. (1990). 18th ed. Mack Publ., Easton). Additionally, the composition may include one or more veterinary-acceptable carriers. As used herein,“a veterinary-acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, adjuvants, stabilizing agents, diluents, preservatives, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents, adsorption delaying agents, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the immunogenic composition comprises PCV3 ORF2 protein as provided herewith, preferably in concentrations described above, which is mixed with an adjuvant, preferably Carbopol, and physiological saline.

[0216] Those of skill in the art will understand that the composition used herein may incorporate known injectable, physiologically acceptable sterile solutions. For preparing a ready- to-use solution for parenteral injection or infusion, aqueous isotonic solutions, such as e.g. saline or corresponding plasma protein solutions, are readily available. In addition, the immunogenic and vaccine compositions of the present disclosure can include diluents, isotonic agents, stabilizers, or adjuvants. Diluents can include water, saline, dextrose, ethanol, glycerol, and the like. Isotonic agents can include sodium chloride, dextrose, mannitol, sorbitol, and lactose, among others. Stabilizers include albumin and alkali salts of ethylendiamintetracetic acid, among others.

[0217] “Adjuvants” as used herein, can include aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate, saponins e.g., Quil A, QS-21 (Cambridge Biotech Inc., Cambridge Mass.), GPI-0100 (Galenica Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.), water-in-oil emulsion, oil-in-water emulsion, water-in-oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion can be based in particular on light liquid paraffin oil (European Pharmacopea type); isoprenoid oil such as squalane or squalene oil resulting from theoligomerization of alkenes, in particular of isobutene or decene; esters of acidsor of alcohols containing a linear alkyl group, more particularly plant oils, ethyl oleate, propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate), glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate) or propylene glycol dioleate; esters of branched fatty acids or alcohols, in particular isostearic acid esters. The oil is used in combination with emulsifiers to form the emulsion. The emulsifiers are preferably nonionic surfactants, in particular esters of sorbitan, of mannide (e.g. anhydromannitol oleate), of glycol, of polyglycerol, of propylene glycol and of oleic, isostearic, ricinoleic or hydroxystearic acid, which are optionally ethoxylated, and polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, in particular the Pluronic products, especially L121. See Hunter et al., The Theory and Practical Application of Adjuvants (Ed.Stewart-Tull, D. E. S.). John Wiley and Sons, NY, pp 51- 94 (1995) and Todd et al., Vaccine 15:564-570 (1997).

[0218] For example, it is possible to use the SPT emulsion described on page 147 of “Vaccine Design, The Subunit and Adjuvant Approach” edited by M. Powell and M. Newman, Plenum Press, 1995, and the emulsion MF59 described on page 183 of this same book.

[0219] A further instance of an adjuvant is a compound chosen from the polymers of acrylic or methacrylic acid and the copolymers of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative. Advantageous adjuvant compounds are the polymers of acrylic or methacrylic acid, which are cross-linked, especially with polyalkenyl ethers of sugars or polyalcohols. These compounds are known by the term carbomer (Phameuropa Vol. 8, No. 2, June 1996). Persons skilled in the art can also refer to U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,462 which describes such acrylic polymers cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, preferably not more than 8, the hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms. The preferred radicals are those containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups. The unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl. The products sold under the name Carbopol; (BF Goodrich, Ohio, USA) are particularly appropriate. They are cross-linked with an allyl sucrose or with allyl pentaerythritol. Among them, there may be mentioned Carbopol 974P, 934P and 971P. Most preferred is the use of Carbopol, in particular the use of Carbopol 971P, preferably in amounts of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose, even more preferred in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose and most preferred in an amount of about 1 mg per dose. In particular, a dose of the final composition may include Carbopol or Carbopol 971 in arange from about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg Carbopol. For example, in some embodiments a dose of the final composition may include about 1 mg of Carbopol 971.

[0220] Further suitable adjuvants include, but are not limited to, the RIBI adjuvant system (Ribi Inc.), Block co-polymer (CytRx, Atlanta Ga.), SAF-M (Chiron, Emeryville Calif.), monophosphoryl lipid A, Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant, heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise), cholera toxin, IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide among many others.

[0221] Preferably, the adjuvant is added in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose. Even more preferably, the adjuvant is added in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose. Even more preferably, the adjuvant is added in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose. Even more preferably, the adjuvant is added in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose. Most preferably, the adjuvant is added in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.

[0222] Additionally, the composition can include one or more pharmaceutical-acceptable carriers. As used herein,“a pharmaceutical-acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, stabilizing agents, diluents, preservatives, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents, adsorption delaying agents, and the like. Most preferably, the composition provided herewith, contains PCV3 ORF2 protein recovered from the supernate of in vitro cultured cells, wherein said cells were infected with a recombinant viral vector containing PCV3 ORF2 DNA and expressing PCV3 ORF2 protein, and wherein said cell culture was treated with about 2 to about 8 mM BEI, preferably with about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the viral vector, and an equivalent concentration of a neutralization agent, preferably sodium thiosulfate solution in a final concentration of about 2 to about 8 mM, preferably of about 5 mM.

[0223] The present disclosure also relates to an immunogenic composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrations described above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, iii) a portion of the cell culture, iv) an inactivating agent to inactivate the recombinant viral vector preferably BEI, and v) an neutralization agent to stop the inactivation mediated by the inactivating agent, preferably sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to BEI; and vi) a suitable adjuvant, preferably Carbopol 971 in amounts described above; wherein about 90% of the components i) to iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm. According to a further aspect, this immunogenic composition further comprises a pharmaceutical acceptable salt, preferably a phosphate salt inphysiologically acceptable concentrations. Preferably, the pH of said immunogenic composition is adjusted to a physiological pH, meaning between about 6.5 and 7.5.

[0224] In an embodiment, the immunogenic composition may refer to a composition that includes in a one ml dose i) at least some PCV3 ORF2 protein, ii) baculovirus expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein iii) cell culture, iv) an inactivating agent (e.g, BEI) having a concentration in a range from about 2 to about 8 mM, v) a neutralization agent (e.g., sodium thiosulfate) in equivalent amounts to the inactivating agent; and vi) a predetermined amount of adjuvant (e.g., Carbopol 971), and vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration. In some embodiments, components may be selected such that 90% of the combination of components that includes the i. PCV3 ORF2 protein, ii. baculovirus that expresses the protein and iii. cell culture have a size smaller than 1 mm. Further, in some embodiments one or more components of the immunogenic composition may be selected such that the immunogenic composition has a pH in a range from about 6.5 to about 7.5. Selection of the components and / or determinations with respect to amounts and / or concentrations may relate to various factors that affect stability of the immunogenic composition, ease of manufacturing, availability of materials, age, size, and / or condition of animals to be treated and / or results desired.

[0225] For example, the immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises per one ml i) at least 1.6 mg of PCV3 ORF2 protein described above, ii) at least a portion of baculovirus expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein iii) a portion of the cell culture, iv) about 2 to 8 mM BEI, v) sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to BEI; and vi) about 1 mg Carbopol 971, and vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration; wherein about 90% of the components i) to iii) may have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said immunogenic composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.

[0226] The immunogenic compositions can further include one or more other immunomodulatory agents such as, e.g., interleukins, interferons, or other cytokines (such as, but not limited to, IL-1, IL-2, IL-7, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, etc.). The immunogenic compositions can also include Gentamicin and Merthiolate. While the amounts and concentrations of adjuvants and additives useful in the context of the present disclosure can readily be determined by the skilled artisan, the present disclosure contemplates compositions comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to use adjuvants in an amount of about 250 mg of adjuvant per one milliliter dose ofthe vaccine composition. In some embodiments, an immunogenic composition may include antibiotics at a concentration in a range from about 1 mg / mL to about 60 mg / mL. For example, an immunogenic composition may include less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotics.

[0227] The immunogenic composition as used herein also refers to a composition that comprises i) any of the PCV3 ORF2 proteins described above, preferably in concentrations described above, ii) at least a portion of the viral vector expressing said PCV3 ORF2 protein, iii) a portion of the cell culture, iv) an inactivating agent to inactivate the recombinant viral vector preferably BEI, and v) an neutralization agent to stop the inactivation mediated by the inactivating agent, preferably sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to BEI; vi) a suitable adjuvant, preferably Carbopol 971 in amounts described above; vii) a pharmaceutical acceptable concentration of a saline buffer, preferably of a phosphate salt, and viii) an anti-microbiological active agent; wherein about 90% of the components i) to iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm.

[0228] The composition according to the disclosure may be applied intradermally, intratracheally, or intravaginally. The composition preferably may be applied intramuscularly or intranasally, most preferably intramuscularlly. In an animal body, it can prove advantageous to apply the pharmaceutical compositions as described above via an intravenous or by direct injection into target tissues. For systemic application, the intravenous, intravascular, intramuscular, intranasal, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, oral, orogastric or intrathecal routes are preferred. A more local application can be effected subcutaneously, intradermally, intracutaneously, intracardially, intralobally, intramedullarly, intrapulmonarily or directly in or near the tissue to be treated (connective-, bone-, muscle-, nerve-, epithelial tissue). Depending on the desired duration and effectiveness of the treatment, the compositions according to the disclosure may be administered once or several times, also intermittently, for instance on a daily basis for several days, weeks or months and in different dosages. A single dose as well as multiple doses are contemplated. Also contemplated are combination vaccines in with other antigens of porcine pathogens. Preferred combination compositions contain PCV3 ORF2 protein and a PPV, a PRRSV antigen, a M. hyopneumoniae antigen (supernatant or bacterin), or a PRRSV antigen and a M. hyopneumoniae antigen (supernatant or bacterin) or any combination of the foregoing with a PCV2 ORF2 protein.

[0229] In some embodiments, a dosing regimen may be developed to deliver effective amounts of PCV3 ORF2 to induce a desired effect, such as an immune response in an animaland / or their progeny. Determinations with respect to dosing regimens may be related to the desired results, components selected for use in the immunogenic composition, administration route, such as parenteral and / or subcutaneous administration, number or doses delivered, for example, a single administration or multiple doses, and / or the specific properties of the animal or animal population to be treated, for example, the age, size, and / or condition of animals. Condition of animals may refer to, for example, health status, pregnancy status, size, etc. Thus, sows and piglets may require different effective doses.

[0230] As stated above, treatment methods may be different based on the outcome desired. For example, a sow may be treated to inhibit and / or prevent conditions related to porcine circovirus or a sow may be treated to inhibit and / or prevent the negative effects of infection with porcine circovirus in her piglets.

[0231] A dosing regimen may include one or more doses of an immunogenic composition that includes a predetermined amount of PCV3 ORF2 protein. For example, the dosing regimen may include doses in a range from about 2 micrograms to about 400 micrograms of the PCV3 ORF2 protein. In an embodiment, a dosing regimen of a particular immunogenic composition may include greater than about two micrograms of PCV3 ORF2 protein. In some instances, each dose of a particular immunogenic composition many include PCV3 ORF2 protein in an amount greater than about 4 micrograms. Some dosing regimen embodiments for an immunogenic composition may include immunogenic compositions at doses of at least about 8 micrograms of PCV3 ORF2 protein. For example, some dosing regimens of the immunogenic composition as disclosed herein may be structured such that at least one dose includes greater than about 16 micrograms of the desired PCV3 ORF2 protein.

[0232] In an embodiment, a dosing regimen may be selected based on the desired expression of a specific PCV3 ORF2 protein within an animal. For example, given an immunogenic composition that includes an appropriate vector and / or expression system for pigs, it may be desired that the vector delivered in the immunogenic composition is capable of delivering PCV3 ORF2 protein in amount that is in a range from about 2 micrograms to about 400 micrograms in vivo. In an embodiment, a dosing regimen of a particular immunogenic composition is structured to deliver an amount of PCV3 ORF2 protein greater than about two micrograms to an animal. In some instances, a dosing regimen for a particular immunogenic composition is structured to deliver an amount of PCV3 ORF2 protein greater than about 4 micrograms to ananimal. Some dosing regimen embodiments for an immunogenic composition are structured to deliver an amount of PCV3 ORF2 protein greater than about 8 micrograms to an animal. For example, some dosing regimens of the immunogenic composition as disclosed herein may be structured such that greater than about 16 micrograms of the desired PCV3 ORF2 protein may be delivered to an animal.

[0233] Dosing regimens may also include guidance on administration routes and / or times. For example, it may be desirable to deliver a dose of an immunogenic composition to a piglet at a specific age, in particular, at about 1 week, 2 weeks or 3 weeks of age depending on the immunogenic compositions and desired results. In some instances, piglets may be administered immunogenic compositions at an age in a range from about 7 days to about 28 days. In a dosing regimen embodiment, pigs may be administered the immunogenic composition at an age in a range from about 14 days to about 26 days. For example, an administration window for piglets may be selected in range from an age of about 16 days to about 26 days. Some dosing regimen embodiments may include administering the immunogenic composition to a piglet at an age in a range from about 18 days to about 24 days.

[0234] An immunogenic composition may include recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein. In particular, an immunogenic composition may include recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein expressed from baculoviruses.

[0235] Further, in some instances, the immunogenic composition that includes recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein may be administered in combination with one or more doses of additional antigens, for example, antigens from PCV2 ORF2, PPV, PRRSV, and / or M. hyopneumoniae (“M. Hyo”). The PRRSV antigen may be an attenuated live vaccine. The M. Hyo. antigen may be a bacterin, a supernatant, or a combination of bacterin and supernatant.

[0236] Multiple doses of immunogenic compositions may be administered in a dosing regimen. For example, a dosing regimen may be made of a dose of immunogenic composition that includes recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and a dose of an immunogenic composition that includes a recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein. In an instance, the doses may include approximately equivalent amounts of recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and PCV2 ORF2 protein. An embodiment of the dosing regimen may include doses of immunogenic compositions that include recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and recombinant PCV2 ORF2, both of which may be expressed using baculoviruses systems expression systems.

[0237] An embodiment of a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 immunogenic composition may include additional antigens, for example antigens such as recombinant proteins from PCV3 ORF2, as well as an attenuated live PRRSV and / or a bacterin, a supernatant, or a combination of bacterin and supernatant of M. Hyo. Some embodiments of an immunogenic composition may include baculovirus expressed recombinant proteins from PCV3 ORF2 and PCV2 ORF2, as well as antigens of PRRSV (e.g., attenuated live vaccine) and / or of M. Hyo (e.g., a bacterin and / or a supernatant). Further, in some instances, an immunogenic composition may include PCV3 ORF2 protein in combination with PCV2 ORF2 protein, an attenuated live PRRSV, and / or an M. Hyo bacterin and / or a supernatant.

[0238] Immunogenic compositions may include recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein. In an instance, the doses may include approximately equivalent amounts of recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and PCV2 ORF2 protein. An embodiment of the dosing regimen may include doses of immunogenic compositions that include recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and recombinant PCV2 ORF2, both of which may be expressed using baculovirus expression systems.

[0239] Some embodiments of an immunogenic composition may include baculovirus expressed recombinant proteins from PCV3 ORF2, as well as PRRSV and / or M. Hyo antigens. Further, baculovirus expressed recombinant proteins from PCV3 ORF2 and PCV2 ORF2 may be combined with antigens of PRRSV and / or M. Hyo to form an inmmunogenic composition. As disclosed above the additional antigens may include an attenuated live PRRSV and / or an M Hyo bacterin and / or a supernatant.

[0240] For example, an immunogenic composition may comprise recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein. In some instances, an immunogenic composition includes approximately equivalent amounts of recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein and PCV2 ORF2 protein. Some embodiments of an immunogenic composition may include a combination of baculovirus expressed recombinant proteins from PCV3 ORF2 and PCV2 ORF2, as well as PRRSV and / or M. Hyo.

[0241] Dosing regimens may be used to improve the economics of swine husbandry. For example, immunogenic compositions, such as vaccines may be administered to sows and / or piglets in an effort to protect sows, piglets, or both.

[0242] In particular, vaccination of sows prior to gestation may reduce the number of mummified, stillborn and / or weak piglets at farrowing if the sows are challenged by an exposure to PCV3. Generally, PCV3 is believed to be a reproductive disease. Further, use of an inactivated baculovirus-expressed PCV3 ORF2 vaccine may reduce and / or inhibit virus replication in sows. This reduction in replication may reduce the number of mummies at farrowing for the vaccinated sows at about a rate of 4%. Such a reduction may have a significant economic impact for swine producers.

[0243] It is further claimed that, the vaccine is able to protect bred gilts and sows when challenged with PCV3 in all or two or at least one trimester during the 114 days of gestation.

[0244] It is also claimed that the vaccine is able to significantly reduce the incidence of mummies, stillborns and fetus in vaccinated gilts and sows vaccinated when challenged with PCV3 in all or two or at least one trimester during the 114 days of gestation.

[0245] A dosing regimen may include vaccinating young sows (i.e., less than or equal to 5 months of age) with at least one dose of an immunogenic composition as described herein prior to breeding. The dose of the immunogenic composition as described herein may be administered intramuscularly as a one (1) mL dose prior to breeding. In some embodiments, one or more doses of vaccine may be given to sows. For example, a first vaccine may be given and followed by a booster vaccine 21 days later and prior to breeding. In some embodiments, sows may be bred in a range from 14 days to 21 days after the booster vaccination. This time frame may allow sows to mount an immune response. Utilizing such a dosing regimen may reduce and / or inhibit the number of mummies at farrowing.

[0246] Further, use of a dosing regimen that includes administering a 1 ml dose of an immunogenic composition than includes PCV3 antigen (i.e., recombinant PCV3 ORF2) may reduce, lessen and / or inhibit lymphadenopathy, lymphoid depletion and / or multinucleated / giant histiocytes in pigs infected with PCV3.

[0247] In some embodiments, a dosing regimen for vaccinating piglets at about 3 weeks of age using a baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2 vaccine may reduce viral load if the piglets are subsequently challenged by PCV3. For example, an amount of replicating virus in tissues of vaccinated piglets may be reduced relative to unvaccinated piglets. Further, vaccinating piglets with a PCV3 ORF2 vaccine may reduce mortality, clinical signs, gross lesions, and / or histologiclesions in vaccinated piglets relative to unvaccinated piglets that are subsequently exposed to PCV3.

[0248] The term“immune stimulant” or“immunostimulant” as used herein, means any agent or composition that can trigger the immune response, preferably without initiating or increasing a specific immune response, for example the immune response against a specific pathogen. It is further instructed to administer the immune stimulant in a suitable dose. Advantageously, the immune stimulant is Keyhole Limpet Hemacyanin (KLH) and / or incomplete Freunds adjuvant (IFA). As used herein, the role of the immune stimulant is not of an adjuvant, but as a challenge enhancer. Advantageously, KLH is emulsified in IFA containing 1 mg KLH / mL may be administered intramuscularly two days before and two days after challenge.

[0249] According to a further consideration, a porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) antigenic protein is provided, wherein said protein is a functional antigenic variant of PCV3 ORF2 protein, and wherein said protein is in particular also termed“the protein of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0250] Preferably, the protein of the further consideration is a functional antigenic variant of the PCV3 ORF2 protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0251] In one peferred aspect, the protein of the further consideration comprises substitutions and / or extensions of PCV3 ORF2.

[0252] In another preferred aspect, the protein of the further consideration is a functional antigenic variant of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 and / or the functional antigenic variant is capable of a higher yield of virus-like particles (VLPs) than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0253] Preferably, said functional antigenic variant is capable of a higher yield of VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1 as determinable by Western blot analysis.

[0254] According to one preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has fewer positive charged amino acid residues than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0255] According to another preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, and wherein preferably those substitutions comprise substitutions of one or more of the S residue and / or the K residues and / or the H residue of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0256] According to yet another preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitutions of one or more of the S residue and / or the K residues of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0257] According to yet a further preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitutions of the S residue or H residue and all of the K residues of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0258] In still another preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise a substitution of at least S and / or H and any K of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1 with Q or P or F or S.

[0259] In still a further preferred aspect. said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitution of the motif SKKK within the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1 with QPFS or substitution of the motif KKKH within the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 with QPFS.

[0260] In yet another further preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant is encodable by all or part of SEQ ID No.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.

[0261] In still a further preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant is encoded by all or part of SEQ ID No.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.

[0262] According to a particularly preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, preferably wherein said extension is all or includes a sequence from a circoviridae virus, and preferably wherein at least a part of said extension replaces the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0263] According to another preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 100 amino acids long.

[0264] According to a further preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 50 amino acids long.

[0265] According to yet a another preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 30 amino acids long.

[0266] In one particularly preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0267] Preferably, said extension is from 1 to 30 amino acids long and / or said extension comprises all of the sequence VKININLTPPVATSRVPSRALPLRFGCGHR.

[0268] In a further preferred aspect, said functional antigenic variant is encodable by all or part of SEQ ID No.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.

[0269] In a preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity and / or sequence homology of at least about 80% or at least about 85% or at least about 86% or at least about 87% or at least about at least 88% or at least about 89%, e.g., in a range from about 83% to about 89%, such as 84% or 85% or 86% or 87% or 88% or 89% sequence identity and / or sequence homology, with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has one or more substitutions in the FG loop.

[0270] In a preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having a sequence identity and / or sequence homology of at least about 80% or at least about 85% or at least about 86% or at least about 87% or at least about at least 88% or at least about 89%, e.g., in a range from about 83% to about 89%, such as 84% or 85% or 86% or 87% or 88% or 89% sequence identity and / or sequence homology, with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0271] In a preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises an FG loop having one or more substitutions in the FG loop and further comprises a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein the sequence of thevariant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having sequence identity and / or sequence homology of at least about 80% or at least about 85% or at least about 86% or at least about 87% or at least about at least 88% or at least about 89%, e.g., in a range from about 83% to about 89%, such as 84% or 85% or 86% or 87% or 88% or 89% sequence identity and / or sequence homology, with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein.

[0272] In another preferred aspect, the protein of the further consideration is a recombinant protein having been prepared by recombinant DNA techniques.

[0273] In still another preferred aspect, the protein of the further consideration is a baculovirus expressed protein.

[0274] Preferably, said PCV3 is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or combination of clades

[0275] Preferably, said PCV3 is selected from the group consisting of PCV3a and PCV3b.

[0276] In particular, said PCV3 is preferably selected from the group consisting PCV3a1, PCV3b1 and PCV3b2.

[0277] The PCV3 may also be selected from PCV3c (BMC Vet Res.2019 Jul 15;15(1):244. doi: 10.1186 / s12917-019-1977-7).

[0278] More particular, said PCV3 ORF2 is preferably from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4).

[0279] In a preferred aspect, said PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.

[0280] In another preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:6.

[0281] In yet another preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:7.

[0282] In yet a further preferred aspect, said PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein.

[0283] In still another preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein.

[0284] In still another preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has one or more substitutions in the FG loop.

[0285] In a preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein.

[0286] In another preferred aspect, said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / orwherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.

[0287] According to a preferred aspect, said protein is a recombinant protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the protein.

[0288] According to a preferred aspect, said protein is a recombinant protein from expression thereof by a baculovirus expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the protein.

[0289] In another preferred aspect, a nucleotide sequence is provided, wherein the nucleotide sequence encodes the protein of the further consideration, and wherein said nucleotide is also termed“the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0290] In a further preferred aspect, a vector is provided, wherein the vector comprises the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration, and wherein said vector is also termed“the vector of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0291] Also, recombinant vector is provided, wherein the recombinant vector comprises the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration.

[0292] Further, an expression host is provided, wherein the expression host is transformed or transfected with the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration and wherein said expression host is also termed“the expression host of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0293] Also, a baculovirus expression host is provided, wherein the baculovirus expression host is transformed or transfected with the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration, and wherein said baculovirus expression host is also termed“the baculovirus expression host of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0294] Further, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided comprising expressing a nucleotide sequence of the further consideration.

[0295] Also, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises expressing a vector of the further consideration.

[0296] Further, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises expressing a recombinant vector of the further consideration.

[0297] Also, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises culturing the expression host of the further consideration to cause expression of the protein.

[0298] Further, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises transfecting an expression host with the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration or the vector according of the further consideration, and culturing the expression host to cause expression of the protein.

[0299] Also, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises culturing the baculovirus expression host of the further consideration to cause expression of the protein.

[0300] Also, a method of preparing the protein of the further consideration is provided, wherein the method comprises transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of the further consideration or the vector according of the further, and culturing the baculovirus expression host to cause expression of the protein.

[0301] Preferably, in any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration an inactivating agent is used when sufficient levels of expressed protein have been achieved and wherein the inactivating agent is preferably binary ethyleneimine (BEI) is used when sufficient levels of expressed protein have been achieved.

[0302] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein.

[0303] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein; and wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm.

[0304] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein; and wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.

[0305] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells.

[0306] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus.

[0307] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating step comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.

[0308] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating step comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent; and wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.

[0309] Preferably, any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration comprises producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating step comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent; and wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound; wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.

[0310] Further, a protein is provided, wherein said protein is obtainable by any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration.

[0311] Also, a composition is provided comprising a protein obtainable by any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration, and wherein the composition preferably comprises a carrier, diluent or excipient. Further, a composition is provided obtainable by any of the above methods of preparing the protein of the further consideration, and wherein the composition preferably comprises a carrier, diluent or excipient.

[0312] In particular, any of said compositions is also termed“the composition of the further consideration” hereinafter.

[0313] In the composition of the further consideration the protein is preferably present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 4 to about 400 µg / ml, or 8 to about 400 µg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or 2 to about 200 mg / ml, or 4 to about 200 µg / ml, or 8 to about 200 µg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or 2 to about 100 mg / ml, or 4 to about 100 µg / ml, or 8 to about 100 µg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.

[0314] Preferably, the composition of the further consideration comprises any one or more of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, and / or an immunomodulatory agent.

[0315] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient is any one or more of an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.

[0316] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant.

[0317] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant comprises one or more of a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not morethan 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.

[0318] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant comprises Carbopol or Carbopol 971.

[0319] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount from about 50 mg to about 2000 of the composition; or wherein adjuvant is present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg of the composition; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg of the composition; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg of the composition; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg of the composition.

[0320] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an immunomodulatory agent.

[0321] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an immunomodulatory agent; and wherein the immunomodulatory agent is any one or more of interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s).

[0322] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s).

[0323] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); wherein the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.

[0324] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); and wherein the composition comprises from about 1 mg / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).

[0325] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); and wherein the composition comprises from about 1 mg / ml to less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).

[0326] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen.

[0327] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen; wherein said additional antigen is not a PCV3 ORF2 antigen.

[0328] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen; wherein said additional antigen is not a PCV3 antigen.

[0329] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.

[0330] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of an additional porcine pathogen, wherein said pathogen is any one or more of PCV2, PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen, an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen.

[0331] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of an additional porcine pathogen, wherein said composition further comprises one or more of an antigen of PCV2, an antigen of a PRRSV and an antigen of a PPV.

[0332] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2.

[0333] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is PCV2 ORF2 protein.

[0334] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein.

[0335] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV2 ORF2 protein.

[0336] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form.

[0337] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration.

[0338] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a multi-dose regimen.

[0339] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a two-dose regimen.

[0340] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container.

[0341] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said compositionis capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 10 doses of said composition.

[0342] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 50 doses of said composition.

[0343] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 100 doses of said composition.

[0344] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 200 doses of said composition.

[0345] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 250 doses of said composition.

[0346] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV2 ORF2 protein; and wherein either the protein or combined total amount of the PCV3 ORF protein and PCV2 ORF protein are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 4 to about 400 µg / dose, or 8 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or 2 to about 200 mg / dose, or 4 to about 200 µg / dose, or 8 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or 2 to about 100 mg / dose, or 4 to about 100 µg / dose, or 8 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 toabout 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose.

[0347] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises a salt.

[0348] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an inactivated viral vector and / or cell culture supernate.

[0349] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises an inactivated viral vector and cell culture supernate.

[0350] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises (i) the protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.

[0351] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition comprises (i) the protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration; and wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.

[0352] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition comprising a protein of the further consideration and a carrier, diluent or excipient.

[0353] Preferably, a composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition comprising a protein of the further consideration and a carrier, diluent or excipient; and an additional antigen as mentioned above.

[0354] Also, a process of making the composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the protein of the further consideration is admixed with the carrier, diluent or excipient.

[0355] Further, a process of making the composition of the further consideration is provided, wherein the protein of the further consideration is admixed with the carrier, diluent or excipient; and the additional antigen.

[0356] Moreover, a protein of the further consideration is provided for use as a medicament.

[0357] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use as a vaccine.

[0358] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in an animal.

[0359] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in swine.

[0360] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in pigs.

[0361] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in piglets.

[0362] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in piglets; wherein the piglets are to be suckled by sows to which the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0363] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or animmunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in sows.

[0364] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in pregnant sows, gilts or pre-breeding gilts.

[0365] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in animals.

[0366] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in swine.

[0367] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in pigs.

[0368] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in piglets.

[0369] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in piglets; wherein the piglets are to be suckled by sows to which the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0370] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in sows.

[0371] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing an immune response against PCV3 in pregnant sows, gilts or pre-breeding gilts.

[0372] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal.

[0373] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in amethod of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is swine.

[0374] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a pig.

[0375] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet.

[0376] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0377] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a sow.

[0378] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a pregnant sow, gilt or pre-breeding gilt.

[0379] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3.

[0380] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is swine.

[0381] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is a pig.

[0382] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is a piglet.

[0383] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0384] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is a sow.

[0385] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in immunizing an animal against PCV3; wherein said animal is a pregnant sow, gilt or pre-breeding gilt.

[0386] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal.

[0387] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is swine.

[0388] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is a pig.

[0389] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet.

[0390] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0391] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is a sow.

[0392] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in a method of reducing or eliminating or abrogating PCV3 viral expression in an animal; wherein said animal is a pregnant sow, gilt or pre-breeding gilt.

[0393] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal.

[0394] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is swine.

[0395] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a pig.

[0396] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet.

[0397] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration has been administered.

[0398] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a sow.

[0399] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in an animal; wherein said animal is a pregnant sow, gilt or pre-breeding gilt.

[0400] Preferably, said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered intramuscularly or intradermally to said animal.

[0401] Preferably, said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered to said animal in conjunction with another antigen, preferably wherein the other pathogen is an antigen to a porcine pathogen.

[0402] Preferably, said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered to said animal in conjunction with another antigen; wherein said other antigen is not a PCV3 ORF2 antigen, preferably wherein the other pathogen is an antigen to a porcine pathogen.

[0403] Preferably, said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered to said animal in conjunction with another antigen; wherein said other antigen is not a PCV3 antigen, preferably wherein the other pathogen is an antigen to a porcine pathogen.

[0404] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses, wherein said animal is a sow pregnant with a piglet.

[0405] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses, wherein said animal is a sow pregnant with a piglet; and wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the protein of the further consideration or the composition according to a further consideration has been administered.

[0406] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses, wherein said animal is a sow; and wherein said protein of the further consideration or said composition of the further consideration is administered twice to said sow.

[0407] Preferably said animal is a sow; and wherein said protein of the further consideration or said composition of the further consideration is only administered twice to said sow.

[0408] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a piglet; and whereinthe protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered once to said piglet.

[0409] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration is only administered once to said piglet.

[0410] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a sow; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration is administered twice to said sow; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or composition of the further consideration.

[0411] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a sow; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered twice to said sow; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0412] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a sow; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered only twice to said sow; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0413] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered once to said piglet; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0414] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a piglet; and wherein the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is administered once to said piglet; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0415] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said animal is a piglet; is administered only once to said piglet; and wherein said use does not include the administration of any other PCV3 antigen to said animal before or during the administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0416] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein the administration to the animal in the use consists of a single, one shot administration or a single, one dose administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0417] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein the administration to the animal in the use consists of a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0418] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein the administration to the animal in the use consists of a double shot administration; or a dual dose administration of said protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0419] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein the administration to the animal occurs within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus.

[0420] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided wherein the animal is a piglet not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age.

[0421] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said protein of the further consideration is for any of the above uses.

[0422] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said protein of the further consideration is for the use of two or more uses mentioned above.

[0423] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein said composition of the further consideration is for any of the above uses.

[0424] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein a second antigen is administered to the animal before administration of the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0425] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein a second antigen is administered to the animal at the same time as administration of the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration.

[0426] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein a second antigen is administered to the animal at the same time and in the same composition as administration of the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0427] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein a second antigen is administered to the animal at the same time and in a different composition as administration of the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration.

[0428] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for any of the above uses wherein a second antigen is administered to the animal after the administration of the protein of the further consideration or a composition of the further consideration.

[0429] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in the vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signsor clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in one dose to the pig.

[0430] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in the vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in only one dose to the pig.

[0431] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in the vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in two doses to the pig.

[0432] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use in the vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in only two doses to the pig.

[0433] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use as the single PCV3 antigen for vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in one dose to the pig.

[0434] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use as the single PCV3 antigen for vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in only one dose to the pig.

[0435] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use as the single PCV3 antigen for vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in two doses to the pig.

[0436] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for use as the single PCV3 antigen for vaccination of a pig to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig, wherein the protein is in an immunogenic composition that is administered in only two doses to the pig.

[0437] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for lessening the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in a pig;

[0438] wherein one dose of the immunogenic composition is administered to the pig in a vaccination method to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0439] wherein the administration of the one dose of the immunogenic composition to the pig in the vaccination method lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0440] wherein the protein of the further consideration is the antigenic component in the one dose of the immunogenic composition in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0441] preferably wherein the protein is in an amount of at least 2 µg in the one dose of the immunogenic composition;

[0442] wherein the protein is the antigenic component in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig.

[0443] Also provided herein is an immunogenic composition of the further consideration for lessening the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in a pig;

[0444] wherein only one dose of the immunogenic composition is administered to the pig in a vaccination method to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0445] wherein the administration of the one dose of the immunogenic composition to the pig in the vaccination method lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0446] wherein the protein of the further consideration is the antigenic component in the one dose of the immunogenic composition in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0447] preferably wherein the protein is in an amount of at least 2 µg in the one dose of the immunogenic composition;

[0448] wherein the protein is the antigenic component in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig.

[0449] Also, the protein of the further consideration or the composition of the further consideration is provided for lessening the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in a pig;

[0450] wherein two doses of the immunogenic composition is administered to the pig in a vaccination method to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0451] wherein the administration of the two doses of the immunogenic composition to the pig in the vaccination method lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0452] wherein the protein of the further consideration is the antigenic component in the two doses of the immunogenic composition in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0453] preferably wherein the protein is in an amount of at least 2 µg in the one dose of the immunogenic composition;

[0454] wherein the protein is the antigenic component in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig.

[0455] Also, an immunogenic composition of the further consideration is provided for lessening the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in a pig;

[0456] wherein only two doses of the immunogenic composition is administered to the pig in a vaccination method to lessen the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0457] wherein the administration of the two doses of the immunogenic composition to the pig in the vaccination method lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0458] wherein the protein of the further consideration is the antigenic component in the two doses of the immunogenic composition in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig;

[0459] preferably wherein the protein is in an amount of at least 2 µg in the one dose of the immunogenic composition;

[0460] wherein the protein is the antigenic component in the vaccination method that lessens the severity of clinical signs or clinical symptoms resulting from PCV3 infection in the pig.

[0461] Preferably, in any of the above-mentioned uses, said clinical signs or symptoms are selected from the group consisting of reduction of average daily weight gain and mortality.

[0462] Preferably, in any of the above-mentioned uses, said clinical signs or symptoms are selected from the group consisting of gross lesions, histological lesions, replication of PCV3 in a tissue, and PCV3 viremia.

[0463] Preferably, in any of the above-mentioned uses, said clinical signs or symptoms are selected from the group consisting of development or production of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.

[0464] Preferably, in any of the above-mentioned uses, said clinical signs or symptoms is or include expelling of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.

[0465] The present invention will now be described by way of the following sets of clauses. For ease of reference, these sets of clauses have been labelled Clause Set A, Clause Set B etc. The disclosure in each set of clauses is equally applicable to the present invention. Likewise the disclosure in each set of clauses is equally applicable to every other set of clauses:

[0466] CLAUSE SET A:

[0467] Clause Set A - The present invention will now be described by way of the following set of numbered clauses (Clause Set A). The disclosure in this set of clauses is equally applicable to the present invention. Likewise the disclosure in this set of clauses is equally applicable to each of the other set of clauses.

[0468] 1. A composition comprising:porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein; anda veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizingagent, a viral or expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent or any combination thereof.2. The composition of clause 1, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.3. The composition of clause 1, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant.4. The composition of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4).5. The composition of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.6. The composition of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV3 ORF2 protein.7. The composition of clause 6, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.8. The composition of any one of clauses 1-7, further comprising a PCV2 ORF2 protein. 9. The composition of clause 8, wherein the PCV2 ORF2 protein is from expression by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV2 ORF2 protein.10. The composition of clause 9, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.11. The composition of any one of clauses 1-10, further comprising an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.12. The composition of clause 11, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatantantigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen, an Escherichia coli antigen, or a Pasteurella multocida antigen.13. The composition of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.14. The composition of any of clauses 1-12, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose.15. The composition of any one of clauses 1-14, wherein the adjuvant comprises aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di- (caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross- linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross- linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturatedaliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.16. The composition of any one of clauses 1-15, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.17. The composition of any one of clauses 1-16, wherein immunomodulatory agent comprises interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s), or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), or KLH emulsified with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (KLH / ICFA).18. The composition of any one of clauses 1-17, wherein comprising from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).19. The composition of any one of clauses 1-18, wherein the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.20. The composition of any one of clauses 1-19, comprising (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.21. The composition of clause 20, wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.522. The composition of clauses 20 or 21 wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the compositioncontains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.23. The composition of any one of clauses 1-22, formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration, and not a multi-dose regimen.24. A method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, comprising administering to an animal a composition as defined in any of clauses 1-23.25. The method of clause 25 wherein the animal is a porcine.26. The method of clause 25, wherein the porcine is a pig or piglet.27. The method of clause 26, wherein the pig or piglet is not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age.28. The method of clause 26, wherein the administration occurs within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus.29. The method of any one of clauses 24-28, wherein the administration comprises a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration; and not a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen.30. Use of a composition of any one of clauses 1-23 in a method of any one of clauses 24-29; or use of a PCV3 ORF2 protein, alone or in combination, of any one of the compositions of clauses 1-23, for use in the preparation of a composition for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, or for use in a method for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.31. A method for preparing a composition as defined in any one of clauses 1-23, comprising producing the PCV3 ORF2 protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells. 32. The method of clause 31, including inactivating the baculovirus.33. The method of clause 32, wherein the inactivating comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.34. The method of clause 25, wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.35. The method of clause 26, wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.36. A recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide sequence that encodes a PCV3 ORF2 protein.37. The recombinant vector of clause 36, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4).38. The recombinant vector of clause 36, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.39. The recombinant vector of any of clauses 36-38, wherein the recombinant vector is a baculovirus.40. The recombinant vector of clause 39, wherein the recombinant vector comprises at least 90% or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:2.

[0469] CLAUSE SET B:

[0470] Clause Set B - The present invention will now be described by way of the following set of numbered clauses (Clause Set B). The disclosure in this set of clauses is equally applicable to the present invention. Likewise the disclosure in this set of clauses is equally applicable to each of the other set of clauses.

[0471] 1. A composition comprising a porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV3 ORF2 protein (a PCV3 ORF2 antigen).2. The composition of clause 1, further comprising a veterinary-acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent, and / or any combination thereof.3. A composition, in particular the composition of clause 1 or 2, comprising: porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein; and a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent and / or any combination thereof.4. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.5. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant.6. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the PCV3 is selected from the group consisting of PCV3a and PCV3b.7. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the PCV3 is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or selected from the group consisting PCV3a1, PCV3b1, PCV3b2 and PCV3c.8. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2.9. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.10. The composition of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.11. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein.12. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV3 ORF2 protein.13. The composition of clause 12, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.14. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2.15. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 14, further comprising a PCV2 ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV2 ORF2 protein (a PCV2 ORF2 antigen).16. The composition of clause 15, wherein the PCV2 ORF2 protein is from expression by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV2 ORF2 protein. 17. The composition of clause 16, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.18. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 17, further comprising an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.19. The composition of clause 18, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.20. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.21. The composition of any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 toabout 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose.22. The composition of any one of clauses 2 to 21, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water- in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.23. The composition of any one of clauses 2 to 22, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.24. The composition of any one of clauses 2 to 23, wherein immunomodulatory agent comprises interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s).25. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein said composition comprises from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s). 26. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 25, wherein the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.27. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 26, comprising (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.28. The composition of clause 27, wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.29. The composition of clauses 27 or 28 wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.30. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 29, wherein said composition is formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration of the composition, and not a multi- dose regimen; or wherein said composition is formulated and / or packaged for a multi-dose regimen of the composition.31. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 30, wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition.32. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use as a medicament.33. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use as a vaccine.34. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use in method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.35. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal, and wherein said animal is preferably a pig.36. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use in a method for inducing an immune response against PCV3 in a pig, in particular in a preferably pregnant sow.37. The composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition has been administered.38. The composition for use according to clause 37, wherein said sow to which the composition has been administered is a sow to which the immunogenic composition has been administered while said sow has been pregnant, in particular with said piglet, or a pre-breeding gilt.39. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32 to 38, wherein said composition is to be administered intramuscularly or intradermally.40. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 36 to 39, wherein said composition is to be administered intramuscularly or intradermally to said sow.41. A method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, comprising administering to an animal a composition as claused in any of clauses 1 to 31.42. The method of clause 41 wherein the animal is a porcine.43. The method of clause 42, wherein the porcine is a pig or piglet.44. The method of clause 42 or 43, wherein the porcine is a sow.45. A method of immunizing a subject comprising administering to the subject a composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31.46. A method of immunizing swine against a clinical disease caused by at least one pathogen in said animal, said method comprising the step of administering to the animal the composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31, wherein said immunogenic composition fails to cause clinical signs of infection but is capable of inducing an immune response that immunizes the animal against pathogenic forms of said at least one pathogen.47. The method of clause 46, wherein said at least one pathogen is PCV3.48. A method for inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in a sow, wherein said method comprises administering the composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31 to said sow.49. A method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein said method comprises administering the composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31 to a sow, and allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow.50. The method of clause 49, wherein said sow is a sow being pregnant, in particular with said piglet, or a pre-breeding gilt.51. The method of clause 49 or 50, comprising the steps of administering the composition according to any one of clauses 1 to 31 to a sow being pregnant with said piglet, allowing said sow to give birth to said piglet, and allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow.52. A method of reducing the clinical signs and / or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a PEDV in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 has been administered.53. The method of any one of clauses 45 to 52, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered intramuscularly or intradermally to said sow.54. The method of any one of clauses 45 to 53, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered twice to said sow.55. The method of any one of clauses 45 to 54, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered twice mucosally, preferably twice intranasally, to said sow.56. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32-40 or the method of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein said clinical signs are selected from the group consisting of reduction of average daily weight gain and mortality.57. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32-40 or the method of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the clinical signs are selected from the group consisting of expelling of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.58. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32 to 40 or the method of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the clinical symptoms are selected from the group consisting of, gross lesions, histologic lesions, replication of PCV3 in a tissue, and PCV3 viremia.59. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32 to 40 or the method of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the clinical symptoms are selected from the group consisting of development or production of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.60. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32 to 40 or the method of any one of clauses 41 to 55, wherein the pig or piglet is not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age.61. The method of clause 60, wherein the administration occurs within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus.62. The composition for use according to any one of clauses 32 to 41 or the method of any one of clauses 42 to 55, wherein the administration comprises a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration of the composition; and not a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen; or wherein the administration consists of a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration; and not a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen; or wherein the administration comprises a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen of the composition; or wherein the administration comprises a two-shot or two-dose regimen of the composition or wherein the administration consists of a two-shot or two-dose regimen of the composition.63. Use of a composition of any one of clauses 1 to 31 in a method of any one of clauses 42- 55; or use of a PCV3 ORF2 protein, alone or in combination, of any one of the compositions of clauses 1 to 31, for use in the preparation of a composition for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, or for use in a method for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.64. A method for preparing a composition as claused in any one of clauses 1 to 31, comprising producing the PCV3 ORF2 protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells.65. The method of clause 64, including inactivating the baculovirus.66. The method of clause 65, wherein the inactivating comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.67. The method of clause 66, wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.68. The method of clause 67, wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.69. A recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide sequence that encodes a PCV3 ORF2 protein.70. The recombinant vector of clause 69, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2.71. A composition comprising a (i) porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein, a parvovirus (PPV) protein and optionally a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) protein and (ii) a veterinary-acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent, and / or any combination thereof.72. The composition of clause 71, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.73. The composition of clause 71 or 72, wherein the PPV protein is a PPV VP2 capsid protein.74. The composition of any one of clauses 71 to 73, wherein the PRRSV protein is a PRRSV ORF4, ORF5, ORF6, or ORF7.75. The composition of clause 73 or 74, wherein the PPV protein and / or the PRRSV protein is expressed in a vector.76. The composition of any one of clauses 71 to 75 wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition administered in two doses to a porcine.77. The composition of clause 76, wherein the porcine is a gilt or a sow.78. The composition of clause 76 or 77, wherein the administrating is before mating / semination, before pregnancy, during pregnancy or during lactation.79. The composition of any one of clauses 76-78, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises between 0.1 µg and 150 µg, preferably between 0.25 µg and 75 µg, more preferably between 0.5 µg and 37.5 µg, even more preferably between 0.5 µg and 15 µg, most preferably between 0.5 µg and 6 µg of the PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV antigen.80. The composition of any one of clauses 76-79, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered intramuscularly.81. A method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) comprising parenterally or subcutaneously administering to a porcine of a single shot, single administration or single dose (i) at least 2 µg to about 400 µg of a PCV3 ORF2 recombinant protein expressed by a baculovirus system and (ii) a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent and / or any combination thereof.82. The method of clause 81, wherein the porcine is a piglet, pig or a sow, or a pre-breeding gilt.83. The method of clause 81 or clause 82, wherein the porcine is about 1 week or 2 weeks or 3 weeks of age or 7-28 or 7-22 or 14-22 or 16-22 or 21+ / - 5 days of age.84. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 83, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.85. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 84, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or from group PCV3a, PCV3a1, PCV3b, PCV3b1, or PCV3b.86. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 85, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.87. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 86, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose further comprises a PCV2 ORF2 protein or an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.88. The method of clause 87, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.89. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 88, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water- in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate;polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.90. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 89, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.91. The method of clause 87, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 µg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 µg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 µg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 µg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 µg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 µg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 µg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 µg / dose, or about 1.6 µg / dose.92. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 91, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.93. The method of any one of clauses 82 to 92, wherein the immunomodulatory agent comprises an interleukin, an interferon or other cytokine.94. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 93, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose further comprises from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of an antibiotic.95. The method of clause 84, wherein the antibiotic comprises Gentamicin.96. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 95, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose comprises (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv)inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.97. The method of clause 96, wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.98. The method of clause 96 or 97, wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.99. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 98, wherein the method further comprises reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease caused by a PCV3 or porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection in a pregnant sow or a piglet.100. The method of clause 99, wherein the reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease in the piglet comprises the piglet suckling a sow administered with the single shot, single administration or single dose.101. The method of clause 99, wherein the reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease in the piglet comprises administering the single shot, single administration or single dose to the pregnant sow.102. The method of clause 101, further comprising the piglet suckling the sow after the sow has given birth to the piglet.103. The method of any one of clauses 99 to 102, wherein the clinical sign is reduction of average daily weight gain, mortality, development, production or expelling of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus, a gross lesion, a histologic lesion, replication of PCV3 in a tissue or PCV3 viremia.104. The method of any one of clauses 81 to 103, wherein the parenterally or subcutaneously administering is intramuscular or intradermal.105. A non-naturally occurring PCV3 ORF2protein comprising an engineered FG loop, wherein the FG loop comprises three or fewer positively charged amino acids.106. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop comprises two positively charged amino acids.107. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop comprises one positively charged amino acid.108. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop lacks positively charged amino acids.109. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop lacks arginine and lysine residues.110. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop lacks arginine, lysine, and histidine residues.111. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 105, wherein the FG loop comprises QPFSYH, LSRGF, or MASGF.112. A non-naturally occurring PCV3 ORF2protein comprising an engineered C-terminal extension.113. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises from about 1 to about 10, from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to about 30 amino acids.114. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises from about 1 to about 10, or from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to 30 amino acids, about 50 to about 200 amino acids, about 60 to about 190 amino acids, about 70 to about 180 amino acids, about 80 to about 170 amino acids, about 90 to about 160 amino acids or about 100 to about 150 amino acids.115. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises C- terminal amino acids from a different capsid protein.116. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 115, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises C- terminal amino acids from a PCV2 capsid, as BFDV capsid, or a CaCV capsid.117. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of clause 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises EFNLKDPPLN, PK, or QFAPNNPSTEFDYETGRQL.118. A method of making a self-assembling PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, which comprises substituting one or more arginine, lysine, or histidine amino acids in the FG loop with non- positively charged amino acids.119. A method of enhancing self-assembly of a PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, which comprises adding or inserting amino acid residues at the C-terminal of the protein.120. The method of clause 118, which comprises adding or inserting from 1 to 10, or from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to about 30 amino acids, about 50 to about 200 amino acids, about 60 to about 190 amino acids, about 70 to about 180 amino acids, about 80 to about 170 amino acids, about 90 to about 160 amino acids or about 100 to about 150 amino acids. 121. The method of clause 119, which comprises adding or inserting amino acids from a different capsid protein.122. The method of clause 121, wherein the added or inserted amino acids are from a PCV2 capsid, as BFDV capsid, or a CaCV capsid.123. The method of clause 121, wherein the added or inserted amino acids comprise EFNLKDPPLN, PK, or QFAPNNPSTEFDYETGRQL.124. A composition comprising the PCV protein of any one of clauses 105 to 117 or the protein produced by the method of any one of clauses 118 to 123 in an amount to elicit an immune response or a protective immune response against PCV3 and / or clinical symptoms thereof, from a single administration and a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, an immunomodulatory agent and / or any combination thereof.125. The composition of clause 124, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is encoded by SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.126. The composition of clause 124 or 125, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.127. The composition of any one of clauses 124 to 126 further comprising a PCV2 ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV2 ORF2 protein (a PCV2 ORF2 antigen), or an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.128. The composition of clause 127, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniaeantigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.129. The composition of any one of clauses 124 to 128, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.130. The composition of any one of clauses 124 to 129, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.131. The composition of any one of clauses 124 to 130, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 µg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 µg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 µg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 µg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 µg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 µg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 µg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 µg / dose, or about 1.6 µg / dose.132. The composition of any one of clauses 124 to 131, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.133. The composition of any one of clauses 125 to 132, wherein the immunomodulatory agent comprises an interleukin, an interferon or other cytokine.134. A vector containing and expressing the PCV protein of any one of clauses 105 to 117 or the protein produced by the method of any one of clauses 118 to 123.135. The vector of clause 134 wherein the PCV protein is expressed by SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.136. The vector of clause 134 or 135, wherein the vector is a baculovirus.137. A method of preparing the composition of any one of clauses 125 to 133, comprising producing the PCV3 ORF2 protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells. 138. The method of clause 137 further comprising inactivating the baculovirus.139. The method of clause 138, wherein the inactivating comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.140. The method of clause 139, wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.141. The method of clause 140, wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.

[0472] CLAUSE SET C:

[0473] Clause Set C - The present invention will now be described by way of the following set of numbered clauses (Clause Set C). The disclosure in this set of clauses is equallyapplicable to the present invention. Likewise the disclosure in this set of clauses is equally applicable to each of the other set of clauses.

[0474] 1. A porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) antigenic protein, wherein said protein is PCV3 ORF2 protein or a functional antigenic variant thereof.2. A protein according to clause 1 wherein said PCV3 ORF2 protein is a protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.3. A protein according to clause 1 or clause 2 wherein said protein is a functional antigenic variant of PCV3 ORF2.4. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said protein is a functional antigenic variant of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.5. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is capable of a higher yield of virus-like particles (VLPs) than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.6. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is capable of a higher yield of VLPs than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 as determinable by Western blot analysis.7. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has fewer positive charged amino acid residues than the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.8. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1.9. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitutions of one or more of the S residue and / or the K residues and / or the H residue of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.10. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitutions of one or more of the Sresidue and / or the K residues of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.11. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitutions of the S residue or H residue and all of the K residues of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.12. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1, wherein those substitutions comprise a substitution of at least S and / or H and any K of the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 with Q or P or F or S.13. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has one or more substitutions in the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, wherein those substitutions comprise substitution of the motif SKKK within the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1 with QPFS or substitution of the motif KKKH within the motif SKKKH of the FG loop of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1 with QPFS.14. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is encodable by all or part of SEQ ID Nos.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.15. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is encoded by all or part of SEQ ID No. 1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.16. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1, preferably wherein said extension is all or includes a sequence from a circoviridae virus, and preferably wherein at least a part of said extension replaces the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.17. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 100 amino acids long.18. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 50 amino acids long.19. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No. 1; and wherein said extension is from 1 to 30 amino acids long.20. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; wherein said extension is from 1 to 30 amino acids long ; and wherein said extension comprises all of part of the sequence VKININLTPPVATSRVPSRALPLRFGCGHR.21. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1; wherein said extension is from 1 to 30 amino acids long ; and wherein said extension comprises all of the sequence VKININLTPPVATSRVPSRALPLRFGCGHR.22. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is encodable by all or part of SEQ ID No.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.23. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said functional antigenic variant is encoded by all or part of SEQ ID No.1, 2, 5, 6 or 7.24. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said protein is recombinant protein having been prepared by recombinant DNA techniques.25. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said protein is baculovirus expressed protein.26. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said PCV3 is selected from the group consisting of PCV3a and PCV3b.27. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said PCV3 is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or selected from the group consisting PCV3a1, PCV3b1, PCV3b2 and PCV3c.28. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2 (using the subtyping designation of Fux et al.,“Full genome characterization of porcine circovirus type 3 isolates reveals the existence of two distinct groups of virus strains,” Virology Journal (2018) 15:25, DOI 10.1186 / s12985-018-0929-3 (incorporated herein by reference); see, e.g., Table 4).29. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.30. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:6.31. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:7.32. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein.33 A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein; or a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises orconsists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has one or more substitutions in the FG loop.34. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10 and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein; or a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said variant protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 8, 9 or 10, and / or wherein the protein is a recombinant protein, and wherein said protein has a C terminal end that extends beyond the terminal SVL sequence of the protein encoded by SEQ ID No.1.35. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said protein is a recombinant protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the protein.36. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein said protein is a recombinant protein from expression thereof by a baculovirus expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the protein.37. A nucleotide sequence encoding the protein according to any of the preceding clauses.38. A vector comprising the nucleotide sequence of any of the preceding clauses.39. A recombinant vector comprising the nucleotide sequence of any of the preceding clauses. 40. An expression host transformed or transfected with the nucleotide sequence of any of the preceding clauses.41. A baculovirus expression host transformed or transfected with the nucleotide sequence of any of the preceding clauses.42. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprisingexpressing a nucleotide sequence according to any of the preceding clauses.43. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising expressing a vector according to any of the preceding clauses.44. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising expressing a recombinant vector according to any of the preceding clauses.45. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising culturing the expression host according to any of the preceding clauses to cause expression of the protein.46. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising transfecting an expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector according to any one of the preceding clauses and culturing the expression host to cause expression of the protein.47. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising culturing the baculovirus expression host according to any of the preceding clauses to cause expression of the protein.48. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector according to any one of the preceding clauses and culturing the baculovirus expression host to cause expression of the protein.49. A method according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein an inactivating agent is used when sufficient levels of expressed protein have been achieved.50. A method according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein an inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI) is used when sufficient levels of expressed protein have been achieved.51. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector according to any one of the preceding clauses and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein.52. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprisingtransfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector according to any one of the preceding clauses and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein; and wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm. 53. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising transfecting a baculovirus expression host with the nucleotide sequence of vector according to any one of the preceding clauses and culturing the baculovirus expression host in a medium to cause expression of the protein; wherein the medium post expression of the protein comprises (i) said protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein; and wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.54. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells.55. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus.56. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating step comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.57. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating step comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent; and wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.58. A method of preparing a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses comprising producing the protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells; and wherein the method includes the step of inactivating the baculovirus; and wherein inactivating stepcomprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent; and wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound; wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.59. A protein obtainable by the method according to any one of the preceding clauses.60. A composition comprising the protein obtainable by the method according to any one of the preceding clauses.61. A composition obtainable by the method according to any one of the preceding clauses.62. A composition comprising a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses and a carrier, diluent or excipient.63. A composition comprising a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses and a veterinary-acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.64. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 2 to about 400 mg / ml, or 4 to about 400 µg / ml, or 8 to about 400 µg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or 2 to about 200 mg / ml, or 4 to about 200 µg / ml, or 8 to about 200 µg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or 2 to about 100 mg / ml, or 4 to about 100 µg / ml, or 8 to about 100 µg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.65. A composition comprising a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises any one or more of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, and / or an immunomodulatory agent.66. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient is any one or more of an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.67. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant.68. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant comprises one or more of a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer ofacrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water- in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.69. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant comprises Carbopol or Carbopol 971. 70. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the carrier, diluent or excipient comprises an adjuvant; wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount from about 50 mg to about 2000 of the composition; or wherein adjuvant is present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg of the composition; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg of the composition; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg of the composition; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg of the composition.71. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an immunomodulatory agent.72. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an immunomodulatory agent; and wherein the immunomodulatory agent is any one or more of interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s).73. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s).74. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); wherein the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.75. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); and wherein the composition comprises from about 1 mg / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).76. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an antibiotic(s); and wherein the composition comprises from about 1 mg / ml to less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).77. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen.78. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen; wherein said additional antigen is not a PCV3 ORF2 antigen. 79. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen; wherein said additional antigen is not a PCV3 antigen.80. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.81. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of an additional porcine pathogen, wherein said pathogen is any one or more of PCV2, PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen, an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen.82. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of an additional porcine pathogen, wherein said composition further comprises one or more of an antigen of PCV2, an antigen of a PRRSV and an antigen of a PPV.83. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2.84. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is PCV2 ORF2 protein.85. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant PCV2 ORF2 protein.86. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition further comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV2 ORF2 protein.87. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form.88. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration.89. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a multi-dose regimen.90. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is formulated and / or packaged for a two-dose regimen.91. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container.92. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 10 doses of said composition.93. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 50 doses of said composition.94. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 100 doses of said composition.95. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 200 doses of said composition.96. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is in a dosage form; and wherein said dosage form is delivered from a container containing a larger amount of said composition and wherein a dosage form of said composition is capable of being delivered from said container; and wherein said container contains at least 250 doses of said composition.97. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an antigen of PCV2; wherein PCV2 antigen is recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV2 ORF2 protein; and wherein either the protein or combined total amount of the PCV3 ORF2 protein and PCV2 ORF protein are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 2 to about 400 mg / dose, or 4 to about 400 µg / dose, or 8 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or 2 to about 200 mg / dose, or 4 to about 200 µg / dose, or 8 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or 2 to about 100 mg / dose, or 4 to about 100 µg / dose, or 8 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose.98. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises a salt.99. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an inactivated viral vector and / or cell culture supernate.100. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises an inactivated viral vector and cell culture supernate.101. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises (i) the protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.102. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition comprises (i) the protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration; and wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.103. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition comprising a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses and a carrier, diluent or excipient.104. A composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition comprising a protein according to any one of the preceding clauses and a carrier, diluent or excipient; and an additional antigen according to any one of the preceding clauses.105. A process of making the composition according to any one of the preceding clauses whereinthe protein according to any one of the preceding clauses is admixed with the carrier, diluent or excipient.106. A process of making the composition according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the protein according to any one of the preceding clauses is admixed with the carrier, diluent or excipient; and the additional antigen.107. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use as a medicament.108. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use as a vaccine.109. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in an animal.110. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in swine.111. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in pigs.112. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against PCV3 in piglets.113. A protein according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a nucleotide sequence according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression vector according to any one of the preceding clauses, or an expression host according to any one of the preceding clauses, or a composition according to any one of the preceding clauses for use in a method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological...

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A composition comprising a porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein.

2. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a veterinary-acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent, or any combination thereof.

3. A composition, in particular the composition of claim 1 or 2, comprising: porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein; and a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent or any combination thereof.

4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant.

6. The composition of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the PCV3 is selected from any phylogenetic clades of PCV3 or combination of clades or the group consisting of PCV3a and PCV3b.

7. The composition of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the PCV3 is any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or selected from the group consisting PCV3a1, PCV3b1, PCV3b2 and PCV3c.

8. The composition of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2.

9. The composition of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1.DM2\12495791 110. The composition of any of claims 1-9, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4.

11. The composition of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein.

12. The composition of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant PCV3 ORF2 protein from expression thereof by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV3 ORF2 protein.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.

14. The composition of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is a recombinant baculovirus expressed PCV3 ORF2.

15. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a PCV2 ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV2 ORF2 protein (a PCV2 ORF2 antigen).

16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the PCV2 ORF2 protein is from expression by an expression vector, comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes the PCV2 ORF2 protein.

17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the expression vector is a baculovirus.

18. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.

19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.

20. The composition of any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 toDM2\12495791 1about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.

21. The composition of any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 mg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / dose, or about 1.6 mg / dose.

22. The composition of any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.DM2\12495791 123. The composition of any one of claims 2 to 22, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.

24. The composition of any one of claims 2 to 23, wherein immunomodulatory agent comprises interleukin(s), interferon(s), or other cytokine(s).

25. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein said composition comprises from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of antibiotic(s).

26. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the antibiotic(s) comprise Gentamicin.

27. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 26, comprising (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.

28. The composition of claim 27, wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.

29. The composition of claims 27 or 28 wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.

30. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein said composition is formulated and / or packaged for a single dose or one shot administration of the composition, and not a multi-dose regimen; or wherein said composition is formulated and / or packaged for a multi-dose regimen of the composition, or wherein said composition is formulated and / or packaged for a double dose or twice shot administration of the composition.DM2\12495791 131. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition.

32. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use as a medicament.

33. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use as a vaccine.

34. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use in method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.

35. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with PCV3 in an animal or for use in a method of treating or preventing an infection with PCV3 in an animal, and wherein said animal is preferably a pig.

36. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use in a method for inducing an immune response against PCV3 in a pig, in particular in a preferably pregnant sow.

37. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 for use in a method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or disease caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition has been administered.

38. The composition for use according to claim 37, wherein said sow to which the composition has been administered is a sow to which the immunogenic composition has been administered while said sow has been pregnant, in particular with said piglet, or a pre-breeding gilt.

39. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32 to 38, wherein said composition is to be administered intramuscularly or intradermally.

40. The composition for use according to any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein said composition is to be administered intramuscularly or intradermally to said sow.

41. A method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, comprising administering to an animal a composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 31.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the animal is a porcine.DM2\12495791 143. The method of claim 42, wherein the porcine is a pig or piglet.

44. The method of claim 42 or 43, wherein the porcine is a sow.

45. A method of immunizing a subject comprising administering to the subject a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

46. A method of immunizing swine against a clinical disease caused by at least one pathogen in said animal, said method comprising the step of administering to the animal the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein said immunogenic composition fails to cause clinical signs of infection but is capable of inducing an immune response that immunizes the animal against pathogenic forms of said at least one pathogen.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said at least one pathogen is PCV3.

48. A method for inducing the production of antibodies specific for PCV3 in a sow, wherein said method comprises administering the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31 to said sow.

49. A method of reducing or preventing the clinical signs or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a PCV3 in a piglet, wherein said method comprises administering the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31 to a sow, and allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said sow is a sow being pregnant, in particular with said piglet, or a pre-breeding gilt.

51. The method of claim 49 or 50, comprising the steps of administering the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 31 to a sow being pregnant with said piglet, allowing said sow to give birth to said piglet, and allowing said piglet to be suckled by said sow.

52. A method of reducing the clinical signs and / or clinical symptoms caused by an infection with a PEDV in a piglet, wherein the piglet is to be suckled by a sow to which the composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 has been administered.

53. The method of any one of claims 45 to 52, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered intramuscularly or intradermally to said sow.

54. The method of any one of claims 45 to 53, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered twice to said sow.DM2\12495791 155. The method of any one of claims 45 to 54, wherein said immunogenic composition or said vaccine or pharmaceutical composition is administered twice mucosally, preferably twice intranasally, to said sow.

56. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32-40 or the method of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein said clinical signs are selected from the group consisting of reduction of average daily weight gain and mortality.

57. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32-40 or the method of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the clinical signs are selected from the group consisting of expelling of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.

58. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32 to 40 or the method of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the clinical symptoms are selected from the group consisting of, gross lesions, histologic lesions, replication of PCV3 in a tissue, and PCV3 viremia.

59. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32 to 40 or the method of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the clinical symptoms are selected from the group consisting of development or production of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus.

60. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32 to 40 or the method of any one of claims 41 to 55, wherein the pig or piglet is not older than 15 weeks of age, or not older than 6 weeks of age, or not older than 3 weeks of age, or not older than 2 weeks of age, or not older than 1 week of age.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the administration occurs within at least 1 or 2 or 3 weeks of exposure to virulent Porcine Circovirus.

62. The composition for use according to any one of claims 32 to 41 or the method of any one of claims 42 to 55, wherein the administration comprises a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration of the composition; and not a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen; or wherein the administration consists of a single, one shot administration; or a single, one dose administration; and not a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen; or wherein the administration comprises a multi-shot or multi-dose regimen of the composition; or wherein the administration comprises a two-shot or two-dose regimen of the composition; or wherein the administration consists of a two-shot or two-dose regimen of the composition..

63. Use of a composition of any one of claims 1 to 31 in a method of any one of claims 42-55; or use of a PCV3 ORF2 protein, alone or in combination, of any one of theDM2\12495791 1compositions of claims 1 to 31, for use in the preparation of a composition for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen, or for use in a method for inducing an immunological or immune response or a protective immune or immunological response against (i) PCV3 and / or (ii) PCV2 and PCV3 and / or (iii) PCV3 and another porcine pathogen and / or (iv) PCV3, PCV2 and another porcine pathogen.

64. A method for preparing a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, comprising producing the PCV3 ORF2 protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells.

65. The method of claim 64, including inactivating the baculovirus.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the inactivating comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.

69. A recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide sequence that encodes a PCV3 ORF2 protein.

70. The recombinant vector of claim 69, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from group a1, b1 or b2.

71. A composition comprising a (i) porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) ORF2 protein, a parvovirus (PPV) protein and optionally a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) protein and (ii) a veterinary-acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral vector, an expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent, or any combination thereof.

72. The composition of claim 71, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.DM2\12495791 173. The composition of claim 71 or 72, wherein the PPV protein is a PPV VP2 capsid protein.

74. The composition of any one of claims 71 to 73, wherein the PRRSV protein is a PRRSV ORF4, ORF5, ORF6, or ORF7.

75. The composition of claim 73 or 74, wherein the PPV protein and / or the PRRSV protein is expressed in a vector.

76. The composition of any one of claims 71 to 75 wherein the composition is an immunogenic composition administered in two doses to a porcine.

77. The composition of claim 76, wherein the porcine is a gilt or a sow.

78. The composition of claim 76 or 77, wherein the administrating is before mating / semination, before pregnancy, during pregnancy or during lactation.

79. The composition of any one of claims 76-78, wherein the immunogenic composition comprises between 0.1 µg and 150 µg, preferably between 0.25 µg and 75 µg, more preferably between 0.5 µg and 37.5 µg, even more preferably between 0.5 µg and 15 µg, most preferably between 0.5 µg and 6 µg of the PCV3, PPV and / or PRRSV antigen.

80. The composition of any one of claims 76-79, wherein the immunogenic composition is administered intramuscularly.

81. A method for eliciting an immune response or an immunological response or a protective immune or immunological response against porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3) comprising parenterally or subcutaneously administering to a porcine of a single shot, single administration or single dose (i) at least 2 µg to about 400 µg of a PCV3 ORF2 recombinant protein expressed by a baculovirus system and (ii) a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent or any combination thereof.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the porcine is a piglet, pig or a sow, or a pre- breeding gilt.

83. The method of claim 81 or claim 82, wherein the porcine is about 1 week or 2 weeks or 3 weeks of age or 7-28 or 7-22 or 14-22 or 16-22 or 21+ / - 5 days of age.DM2\12495791 184. The method of any one of claims 81 to 83, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.

85. The method of any one of claims 81 to 84, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 is from any phylogenetic clade of PCV3 or combination of clades or group PCV3a, PCV3a1, PCV3b, PCV3b1, or PCV3b.

86. The method of any one of claims 81 to 85, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence encoded by a polynucleotide sequence having at least 90%, or at least 91%, or at least 92%, or at least 93%, or at least 94%, or at least 95%, or at least 96%, or at least 97%, or at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:1 or sequence homology with SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.

87. The method of any one of claims 81 to 86, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose further comprises a PCV2 ORF2 protein or an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.

89. The method of any one of claims 81 to 88, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminumDM2\12495791 1phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in-water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or of ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.

90. The method of any one of claims 81 to 89, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.

91. The method of claim 87, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 µg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 µg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 µg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 µg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 µg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 µg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 µg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 µg / dose, or about 1.6 µg / dose.

92. The method of any one of claims 81 to 91, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.DM2\12495791 193. The method of any one of claims 82 to 92, wherein the immunomodulatory agent comprises an interleukin, an interferon or other cytokine.

94. The method of any one of claims 81 to 93, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose further comprises from about 1 ug / ml to about 60 mg / ml of antibiotic(s), or less than about 30 mg / ml of an antibiotic.

95. The method of claim 84, wherein the antibiotic comprises Gentamicin.

96. The method of any one of claims 81 to 95, wherein the single shot, single administration or single dose comprises (i) PCV3 ORF2 protein, (ii) at least a portion of baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iii) a portion of cell culture of cells that were infected or transfected with recombinant baculovirus that expressed said PCV3 ORF2 protein, (iv) inactivating agent or inactivating agent comprising binary ethyleneimine (BEI), (v) sodium thiosulfate or sodium thiosulfate in equivalent amounts to inactivating agent or BEI; (vi) adjuvant or adjuvant comprising Carbopol or Carbopol 971, and (vii) phosphate salt in a physiologically acceptable concentration.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein about 90% of the components (i) to (iii) have a size smaller than 1 mm and the pH of said composition is adjusted to about 6.5 to 7.5.

98. The method of claim 96 or 97, wherein the BEI is from the cell culture having been treated with about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI to inactivate the baculovirus and / or the composition contains about 2 to 8 or about 5 mM BEI and / or the composition contains about 1 mg of the Carbopol or Carbopol 971.

99. The method of any one of claims 81 to 98, wherein the method further comprises reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease caused by a PCV3 or porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection in a pregnant sow or a piglet.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease in the piglet comprises the piglet suckling a sow administered with the single shot, single administration or single dose.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the reducing or preventing clinical signs or disease in the piglet comprises administering the single shot, single administration or single dose to the pregnant sow.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising the piglet suckling the sow after the sow has given birth to the piglet.DM2\12495791 1103. The method of any one of claims 99 to 102, wherein the clinical sign is reduction of average daily weight gain, mortality, development, production or expelling of a mummified, stillborn and / or weak fetus, a gross lesion, a histologic lesion, replication of PCV3 in a tissue or PCV3 viremia.

104. The method of any one of claims 81 to 103, wherein the parenterally or subcutaneously administering is intramuscular or intradermal.

105. A non-naturally occurring PCV3 ORF2protein comprising an engineered FG loop, wherein the FG loop comprises three or fewer positively charged amino acids.

106. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop comprises two positively charged amino acids.

107. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop comprises one positively charged amino acid.

108. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop lacks positively charged amino acids.

109. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop lacks arginine and lysine residues.

110. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop lacks arginine, lysine, and histidine residues.

111. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 105, wherein the FG loop comprises QPFSYH, LSRGF, or MASGF.

112. A non-naturally occurring PCV3 ORF2 protein comprising an engineered C- terminal extension.

113. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises from about 1 to about 10, from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to about 30 amino acids.

114. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises from about 1 to about 10, or from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to 30 amino acids, about 50 to about 200 amino acids, about 60 to about 190 amino acids, about 70 to about 180 amino acids, about 80 to about 170 amino acids, about 90 to about 160 amino acids or about 100 to about 150 amino acids.DM2\12495791 1115. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises C-terminal amino acids from a different capsid protein.

116. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 115, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises C-terminal amino acids from a PCV2 capsid, as BFDV capsid, or a CaCV capsid.

117. The PCV3 ORF2 protein of claim 112, wherein the C-terminal extension comprises EFNLKDPPLN, PK, or QFAPNNPSTEFDYETGRQL.

118. A method of making a self-assembling PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, which comprises substituting one or more arginine, lysine, or histidine amino acids in the FG loop with non-positively charged amino acids.

119. A method of enhancing self-assembly of a PCV3 ORF2 capsid protein, which comprises adding or inserting amino acid residues at the C-terminal of the protein.

120. The method of claim 118, which comprises adding or inserting from 1 to 10, or from about 5 to about 20, or from about 10 to about 30 amino acids, about 50 to about 200 amino acids, about 60 to about 190 amino acids, about 70 to about 180 amino acids, about 80 to about 170 amino acids, about 90 to about 160 amino acids or about 100 to about 150 amino acids.

121. The method of claim 119, which comprises adding or inserting amino acids from a different capsid protein.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the added or inserted amino acids are from a PCV2 capsid, as BFDV capsid, or a CaCV capsid.

123. The method of claim 121, wherein the added or inserted amino acids comprise EFNLKDPPLN, PK, or QFAPNNPSTEFDYETGRQL.

124. A composition comprising the PCV protein of any one of claims 105 to 117 or the protein produced by the method of any one of claims 118 to 123 in an amount to elicit an immune response or a protective immune response against PCV3 and / or clinical symptoms thereof, from a single administration and a veterinary-acceptable carrier comprising a solvent, a dispersion media, a coating, a stabilizing agent, a diluent, a preservative, an anti-microbial agent, an antifungal agent, an isotonic agent, an adsorption delaying agent, an adjuvant, cell culture supernatant, a stabilizing agent, a viral or expression vector, and an immunomodulatory agent or any combination thereof.

125. The composition of claim 124, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is encoded by SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.DM2\12495791 1126. The composition of claim 124 or 125, wherein the veterinary-acceptable carrier comprises an adjuvant, immunomodulatory agent, cell culture supernatant, viral or expression vector or any combination thereof.

127. The composition of any one of claims 124 to 126 further comprising a PCV2 ORF2 protein, preferably an antigenic PCV2 ORF2 protein (), or an additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen.

128. The composition of claim 127, wherein the additional antigen of an additional porcine pathogen comprises a PRRSV (porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus) antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin antigen, a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae supernatant antigen, an Aujeszky’s disease or pseudorabies antigen, a swine influenza antigen, a swine fever antigen (classical or African or combination thereof), an Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae antigen , an Escherichia coli antigen, a porcine parvovirus (PPV) antigen or a Pasteurella multocida antigen, or a combination thereof.

129. The composition of any one of claims 124 to 128, wherein the adjuvant comprises a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid; copolymer of maleic anhydride and alkenyl derivative; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked; a polymer of acrylic or methacrylic acid which is cross-linked with a polyalkenyl ether of sugar or polyalcohol; a carbomer; an acrylic polymer cross-linked with a polyhydroxylated compound having at least 3 and not more than 8 hydroxyl groups with hydrogen atoms of at least three hydroxyls optionally or being replaced by unsaturated aliphatic radicals having at least 2 carbon atoms with said radicals containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms such as vinyls, allyls and other ethylenically unsaturated groups and the unsaturated radicals may themselves contain other substituents, such as methyl; a carbopol; Carbopol 974P; Carbopol 934P; Carbopol 971P; aluminum hydroxide; aluminum phosphate; a saponin; Quil A; QS-21; GPI-0100; a water-in-oil emulsion; an oil-in- water emulsion; a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion; an emulsion based on light liquid paraffin oil or European Pharmacopea type adjuvant; an isoprenoid oil; squalane; squalene oil resulting from oligomerization of alkenes or isobutene or decene; (an) ester(s) of acid(s) or of alcohol(s) containing a linear alkyl group; plant oil(s); ethyl oleate; propylene glycol di-(caprylate / caprate); glyceryl tri-(caprylate / caprate); propylene glycol dioleate; (an) ester(s) of branched fatty acid(s) or alcohol(s); isostearic acid ester(s); nonionic surfactant(s); (an) ester(s) of sorbitan or of mannide or of glycol or of polyglycerol or of propylene glycol or of oleic, or isostearic acid or ofDM2\12495791 1ricinoleic acid or of hydroxystearic acid, optionally ethoxylated, anhydromannitol oleate; polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer blocks, a Pluronic product, RIBI adjuvant system; Block co-polymer; SAF-M; monophosphoryl lipid A; Avridine lipid-amine adjuvant; heat-labile enterotoxin from E. coli (recombinant or otherwise); cholera toxin; IMS 1314, or muramyl dipeptide.

130. The composition of any one of claims 124 to 129, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein is present in an amount of 0.2 to about 400 mg / ml, or about 0.3 to about 200 mg / ml, or about 0.35 to about 100 mg / ml, or about 0.4 to about 50 mg / ml, or about 0.45 to about 30 mg / ml, or about 0.6 to about 15 mg / ml, or about 0.75 to about 8 mg / ml, or about 1.0 to about 6 mg / ml, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 mg / ml, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 mg / ml, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 mg / ml, or about 1.6 mg / ml.

131. The composition of any one of claims 124 to 130, wherein the PCV3 ORF2 protein or total PCV2 and PCV3 ORF2 proteins are present in an amount of about 0.2 to about 400 µg / dose, or about 0.3 to about 200 µg / dose, or about 0.35 to about 100 µg / dose, or about 0.4 to about 50 µg / dose, or about 0.45 to about 30 µg / dose, or about 0.6 to about 15 µg / dose, or about 0.75 to about 8 µg / dose, or about 1.0 to about 6 µg / dose, or about 1.3 to about 3.0 µg / dose, or about 1.4 to about 2.5 µg / dose, or about 1.5 to about 2.0 µg / dose, or about 1.6 µg / dose.

132. The composition of any one of claims 124 to 131, comprising from about 50 mg to about 2000 mg of adjuvant; or wherein adjuvant present in an amount about 250 mg / ml dose of the composition, or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 100 mg to about 10 mg per dose; or wherein the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 500 mg to about 5 mg per dose; the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 750 mg to about 2.5 mg per dose; or the adjuvant is present in an amount of about 1 mg per dose.

133. The composition of any one of claims 125 to 132, wherein the immunomodulatory agent comprises an interleukin, an interferon or other cytokine.

134. A vector containing and expressing the PCV protein of any one of claims 105 to 117 or the protein produced by the method of any one of claims 118 to 123.

135. The vector of claim 134 wherein the PCV protein is expressed by SEQ ID NO: 6 or SEQ ID NO: 7.

136. The vector of claim 134 or 135, wherein the vector is a baculovirus.DM2\12495791 1137. A method of preparing the composition of any one of claims 125 to 133, comprising producing the PCV3 ORF2 protein by a baculovirus expression system in cultured insect cells.

138. The method of claim 137 further comprising inactivating the baculovirus.

139. The method of claim 138, wherein the inactivating comprises heat treatment or use of a virus inactivating agent.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the virus inactivating agent comprises an aziridine compound.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the aziridine compound comprises BEI.DM2\12495791 1