The Israel based developer of nearly painless intradermal delivery solutions for vaccines and drugs said it is joining forces with leading vaccine and immunotherapy companies worldwide to share its proprietary MicronJet microneedle device.
According to NanoPass, the aim is to enable the development of a safe, effective and affordable vaccine to help in the fight against COVID-19. The MicronJet microneedle device can target immune cells of the skin by harnessing the skin’s potent immune system to improve vaccines and/or to dramatically reduce the dose while achieving the same immunity. “Novel Coronavirus presents a global pandemic with unprecedented medical, economic and social scales. Since there is currently no proven antiviral therapy, and herd immunity is likely months away, the race for finding a vaccine is in full swing on a global level”, said NanoPass.
Yotam Levin MD, CEO, NanoPass said the human skin is a person’s first layer of defense against many infectious diseases. “The skin contains specialised Dendritic Cells that process and induce strong immune responses; that’s why microneedle injections enable reduction of vaccine doses by fivefold, thereby reducing overall cost, required capacity and production time. We believe a reliable injection into the skin is critical for successful activation of broad and effective immune responses, which should be explored for most injectable vaccines”, he said.
The technology is said to be backed up by over 55 completed or ongoing clinical studies with various vaccines and vaccine platforms, including pandemic (H1N1, H5N1) and seasonal flu, live attenuated VZV vaccine, which have shown improved immunogenicity and significant dose-sparing. According to NanoPass, pre-clinical evidence with mRNA and DNA vaccines showed promising results. Previously, the company has supported U.S. CDC in a Phase 3 infant polio vaccination trial, with ITRC on PPD skin testing, in Type 1 Diabetes immunotherapy, and supported NIAID with devices to evaluate immunogenicity of a pandemic flu vaccine, and multiple vaccine pharma.