Australian company develops vaccine ‘patch’ that could replace needles

Brisbane-based biotechnology company Vaxxas published new research on Wednesday showing promising results for its needle-free vaccine delivery technology.

The company’s high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) – a small patch containing thousands of tiny projections coated with vaccine – successfully delivered a DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in animal testing, according to research published in the science journal Heliyon.

The study was conducted in collaboration with The University of Queensland and Australian vaccine developer Technovalia.

Unlike traditional needle injections that deliver vaccines into muscle, the HD-MAP patch applies the vaccine just beneath the skin where immune cells are abundant. When pressed against the skin using a special applicator, the microscopic projections deliver the vaccine directly to these immune cells.

“The research has supported the potential for HD-MAPs to induce a cellular and mucosal immune response which is particularly important when building capability against respiratory-based infectious diseases, like COVID-19,” said Vaxxas CEO David Hoey.

The technology offers several potential advantages over needle injections. The vaccine is applied in a dried form, which makes it more stable at higher temperatures and potentially reduces the need for cold storage. Early studies also suggest the patches could be self-administered and might require smaller doses to achieve the same immune response as injected vaccines.

Vaxxas has already completed early clinical trials for COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and measles and rubella vaccine patches involving more than 500 participants.

“We are excited about the promise of HD-MAP technology in delivering DNA vaccines,” said Technovalia CEO Laurent Dapremont. “This collaboration with other leading Australian organisations highlights our commitment to advancing next-generation vaccines that are safer, more effective, and more accessible.”

While still under development and not yet approved for commercial use, the technology could eventually allow vaccines to be shipped directly to homes, workplaces or schools, avoiding the challenges associated with traditional vaccine administration.

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