AstraZeneca Partners with Vaxess to Develop Thermostable mRNA Skin Patch Vaccine for Pandemic Influenza

▎WuXi

Edited by Kant Content Team

Startup Vaxess Technologies Announces Collaboration with AstraZeneca to Develop aNovel RNA vaccines, administered via durable skin patches rather than injections, may allow patients to self-administer without the need for healthcare professionals. This could potentially facilitate easier distribution and administration of vaccines during future pandemics.

Vaxess is developing the MIMIX sustained-release patch technology.Once placed on the skin, each MIMIX patch delivers a microarray with slow-release properties and bioactive tips into the dermal barrier. These bioactive tips gradually dissolve into the body after the patch is removed, releasing their vaccine and therapeutic payload over time.

Vaxess told Endpoints in an exclusive interview that AstraZeneca and Vaxess have reached a collaboration, with the latter potentially receiving up to $10.3 million from AstraZeneca to jointly develop a prototype vaccine for pandemic influenza.

This partnership follows Vaxess' completion of a $37 million Series B financing round in the past year and the announcement of positive Phase 1 clinical trial results for its seasonal flu vaccine patch, VX-103, in June this year. According to research by scientists from MIT and Tufts University,This microneedle patch is made with silk protein tips that dissolve in the skin to generate a more lasting and potent immune response.

mRNA vaccines can be quickly designed to match the characteristics of emerging viruses, and with the potent and storage-resistant properties of microneedle patches, they may become an effective means to combat future pandemic diseases. In April this year, Vaxess Technologies, Inc. announced,The silk protein formula used in its microneedles can keep mRNA lipid nanoparticles stable and potent for up to two weeks, even when stored at 37°C. This resilience makes the skin patch vaccine easier to use in areas without refrigeration.This is good news for accelerating vaccine distribution in low- and middle-income countries that generally lack cold chain equipment.

References:

[1] Exclusive: AstraZeneca and Vaxess developing skin patchmRNA vaccines for pandemic flu. Retrieved August 23, 2023 from https://endpts.com/exclusive-astrazeneca-and-vaxess-to-develop-skin-patch-mrna-vaccine-for-pandemic-flu-under-dod-grant/

[2] Vaxess Announces Results from Completion of MIMIX-Flu Vaccine PatchPhase 1 Trial. Retrieved August 23, 2023 from https://www.vaxess.com/news-vaxess-announces-results-from-completion-of-mimix-flu-vaccine-patch-phase-1-trial

[3] Controlled-release therapies deliver powerful benefits. Retrieved August23, 2023 from https://www.vaxess.com/mimix-therapies

[4] VAXESS TO COLLABORATE WITH ASTRAZENECA AND EVALUATE NOVEL PATCH DELIVERY TECHNOLOGY FOR AN RNA-BASED PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PROTOTYPE VACCINE. Retrieved August 23, 2023 from https://www.vaxess.com/news-vaxess-to-collaborate-with-astrazeneca-and-evaluate-novel-patch-delivery-technology