Biotech company Vaxxas has developed a vaccine patch that can administer vaccines painlessly and needle-free in seconds. The majority of vaccines can only be administered through injections, which can be a source of fear for many people. As a result, scientists have been working on alternatives, including inhalable vaccines and patches with micro-needles. Vaxxas has now introduced a patch that can administer vaccines painlessly and needle-free. The HD-MAP technology platform delivers vaccines directly to immune cells located beneath the skin’s surface. This not only eliminates the need for traditional needle injections but also enhances immune responses. Additionally, vaccine cooling during transport and storage is no longer necessary.
The development of the vaccine patch began in 2011 at the University of Queensland and is based on micro-needles. The technology involves a patch with thousands of tiny micro-projections coated with the vaccine. Upon contact with the skin, they painlessly and efficiently deliver the active ingredient to immune cells located just below the surface. This innovative patch technology allows for the administration of a vaccine in seconds through the skin’s surface.
Vaxxas is currently testing its technology in six clinical trials with multiple vaccines. It has already been successfully tested in phase I clinical trials with vaccines against COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. Another significant milestone is Vaxxas’ commitment to launching the Biomedical Business Attraction Program in Queensland. The program aims to attract industries from both within and outside the state to utilize Queensland’s biomedical capabilities, according to the Queensland government. David Hoey, CEO of Vaxxas, states that the first commercially available, needle-free vaccine patches will be manufactured and distributed within the next three to five years at the facility.
