Despite increasing vaccination coverage, the WHO estimates there are still 1.5 million deaths each year from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). This is due to a series of issues, including:
Prof. Mark Kendall, who started this work at the University of Queensland (UQ), has developed a device, dubbed the HD-MAP (previously known as the Nanopatch™), that could revolutionise vaccine delivery. The HD-MAP is a one square-centimetre silicon patch covered with thousands of vaccine-coated micro-projections. These pass through the skin’s outer layer to deliver the vaccine directly to the immune cells in the skin, which are more efficient at mounting an immune response than muscle. Tests showed that only 1-2.5% of the dose currently used for influenza and polio vaccines was needed to elicit the same immune response. It is now being commericalised by spin-out Vaxxas.
Throughout its development, pre-clinical and current clinical trial phases, Prof. Kendal and Vaxxas have used microscopes at Microscopy Australia’s UQ facility to monitor the design, production and functionality of the HD-MAP. Our microscopes feature in over 20 HD-MAP publications. With success in several completed clinical trials, Vaxxas is now working on ongoing Phase I clinical studies for COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, with other studies to start soon, targeting pandemic influenza and measles–rubella. Our UQ facility was also used in the development of several vaccines by UQ researchers that are being trailed with the HD-MAP. Read more about how our facilities were used in the development and trials of a HD-MAP based dengue fever vaccine, and ongoing trials of a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine.
The HD-MAP is a game changer for global vaccination programs for several reasons:
Vaxxas has secured both global partnerships and investment, attracting over $35 million in initial funding along with a deal with world leading vaccine producer, Merck, for further R&D and trials. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have provided two grants totalling $14.25 million for preclinical development and trials for measles and rubella vaccinations.
Recently, Vaxxas opened a the 5,500m² Vaxxas Biomedical Facility, a first-of-its-kind manufacturing site designed to support the scale-up of the HD-MAP for late-stage clinical trials and first commercial products. Vaxxas currently employs 130 people in its Queensland operations, and is planning for an increase to 200 employees over the next three to five years.
September 22, 2020