AstraZeneca is embarking on an innovative venture by developing a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine that introduces the possibility of administration via a shelf-stable skin patch, an alternative to traditional injections. This pioneering effort carries the potential to simplify the distribution and delivery of pandemic vaccines, promising enhanced accessibility and ease of use. The pharmaceutical giant has joined forces with Boston-based biotech startup Vaxess in a collaborative endeavor with substantial financial support.
Under this partnership, Vaxess stands to receive up to $10.3 million from AstraZeneca. This funding is a component of a more extensive grant, valued at a maximum of $80 million, bestowed by the Department of Defense. This substantial financial support is dedicated to advancing the development and clinical testing of prototype vaccines, slated to undergo Phase I/II clinical studies.
Vaxess has drawn attention with its remarkable $37 million Series B financing round over the past year and the encouraging outcomes from its Phase I study for a vaccine patch aimed at combating seasonal flu. The foundation of these patches lies in silk protein tips embedded with microneedles, which dissolve upon skin contact, potentially inducing a more robust and enduring immune response. These patches are based on research findings from esteemed institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University.
Michael Schrader, the co-founder and CEO of Vaxess, envisions a transformative impact through these patches, aiming to revolutionize mass vaccination campaigns by enabling the direct mailing of vaccine patches to individuals’ homes. This approach minimizes the need for congregating at centralized vaccination sites and, consequently, reduces the risk of disease spread.
Integrating this visionary concept with mRNA vaccines, renowned for their swift adaptability to emerging viruses, holds immense potential for addressing future pandemics effectively. Livio Valenti, co-founder and Senior Vice President of Strategy, Operations, and Business Development at Vaxess, highlights the synergistic benefits arising from combining the speed of mRNA production with the advantageous attributes of the patch.
AstraZeneca’s approach to mRNA technology has shown a mixed trajectory. While the company discontinued an mRNA therapy collaboration with Moderna, it remains actively engaged in mRNA pursuits through collaborations with startups like VaxEquity and CanSino Biologics. The former involves up to 26 undisclosed drug targets, and the latter focuses on manufacturing mRNA for undisclosed vaccine programs.
While AstraZeneca did not offer insights into its interest in mRNA vaccines or the skin patch vaccine initiative, Iskra Reic, the company’s EVP of Vaccines and Immune Therapies, expressed satisfaction in collaborating with Vaxess as part of a broader agreement with the US government. Reic emphasized the company’s commitment to bolstering pandemic preparedness and supporting resilient healthcare systems.
The dream of user-friendly, self-administered vaccines that can be delivered directly to households is inching closer to reality through innovative initiatives like Vaxess. With an aim to address issues of stability and storage, Vaxess has demonstrated promise in maintaining mRNA lipid nanoparticles’ stability within its microneedle-based patches even at elevated temperatures. This breakthrough could usher in the potential for wider adoption of such patches in regions with limited cold storage facilities, benefiting low- and middle-income countries.
While Vaxess is yet to conduct human trials with mRNA vaccine patches, early animal studies have shown encouraging results. The company’s Phase I study for a seasonal flu vaccine, employing H1N1 proteins from GC Biopharma, has paved the way for a Phase II trial. Unlike vaccines relying on viral proteins or whole viruses, the consistency of lipid nanoparticles in mRNA formulations allows for patch uniformity across various molecules, streamlining the development process.
Beyond convenience, the potential advantages of mRNA vaccine patches extend to mitigating common side effects associated with mRNA shots, such as soreness and fatigue. Moreover, the gradual release of the vaccine from the patch’s silk-tipped microneedles may contribute to prolonged immune response durability.
Michael Schrader envisions the transformative impact of mRNA vaccine patches, believing that these innovations have the potential to overcome existing challenges. Through this concerted effort, Vaxess aims to establish a prominent presence in the evolving landscape of vaccine technology.
AstraZeneca & Vaxess
