Flu vaccine by smart release patch- Hope for more protective immune response

Flu vaccine by smart release patch is hope for more protective immune response. MIMIX smart release patch has been awarded a fast-track Small Business Innovation Research Grant (SBIR) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Scientists at Vaxess Technologies, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the maker of MIMIX, use smart release technology in the flu vaccine patch, designed to be worn for an extended period. Vaxess says the patch delivery system more closely replicates a natural flu infection and thus triggers a more protective immune response. The makers of the patch also say the vaccine will protect against both vaccine-included and drifted influenza strains.

MIMIX smart release patch, the easiest and most effective way to deliver vaccines. The patch releases treatments at their most beneficial duration, after just one short and painless application. The controlled release of the MIMIX patch simulates the pace of a natural infection, helping the body produce a slow, strong, and enduring ramp-up of immune response, ultimately boosting a vaccine’s effectiveness.

Nearly 20 per cent of the global population is infected by influenza viruses every year, leading to severe illness and hospitalization for millions of individuals. Despite the availability of influenza vaccines, their public health impact is limited due to suboptimal efficacy and challenges with patient compliance.

"The MIMIX smart release patch has demonstrated to increase existing flu vaccine efficacy and advancing toward the creation of a universal flu vaccine quickly," said Vaxess vice president of policy and strategy, Livio Valenti in a Vaxess news release. "Moreover, the patch does not require refrigeration, is painless, and can be easily administered at home; additional benefits that will increase immunization rates here in the US and globally."

Vaxess is developing a broadly protective influenza vaccine using the MIMIX smart release patch technology. This approach has demonstrated the capacity to enhance the efficacy of commercially available, FDA-approved influenza vaccines, as well as ease distribution and administration to patients. The MIMIX smart release patch enhances responses against both vaccine-included and drifted influenza strains through the use of sustained antigen presentation, more accurately mimicking a natural infection thereby driving stronger, broader, and more durable HAI titers and influenza-specific T-cell responses. Moreover, immunization via the shelf-stable MIMIX smart release patch can simplify delivery and patient administration.

“We are grateful for the support of the NIH in advancing towards clinical development of a technology that has the potential to address one of the most pressing national and global health priorities,” said Vaxess Vice President of Policy and Strategy, Livio Valenti. “The MIMIX smart release patch has demonstrated to increase existing flu vaccine efficacy and advancing toward the creation of a universal flu vaccine quickly. Moreover, the patch does not require refrigeration, is painless, and can be easily administered at home; additional benefits that will increase immunization rates here in the US and globally.”

The NIAID funding will help launch the phase 1 trial of MIMIX.