University of Queensland scientists have successfully protected mice from the Covid-19 virus by administering a US-developed vaccine candidate with a ‘patch’, rather than a needle.
The University of Texas Hexapro vaccine candidate, delivered via the UQ-developed and Vaxxas-commercialised high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP), provided protection against Covid-19 disease with a single, pain-free ‘click’ from a pocket-sized applicator.“When the Hexapro vaccine is delivered via HD-MAP applicator – rather than a needle – it produces better and faster immune responses,” Dr Muller said. It also neutralises multiple variants, including the UK and South Africa variants. And it’s much more user-friendly than a needle – you simply ‘click’ an applicator on the skin, and 5000 microscopic projections almost-imperceptibly deliver vaccine into the skin. The UQ team, together with Vaxxas, hope to take the technology to the world and are looking for funding opportunities to accelerate to clinical trials as soon as possible.”
This study was funded through an Advance Queensland Industry Fellowship in partnership with Vaxxas and Technovalia, with vital contributions from Professor Nigel McMillan and Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute.
