AUSTRALIAN biotech firm Vaxxas has launched its largest Phase I clinical trial to-date, testing a needle-free vaccine patch against the avian influenza strain H7N9.
The trial, backed by a $43 million contract from the US Government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, aims to evaluate the safety and immune response of the innovative vaccine delivered via Vaxxas' high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP).
The study, involving 258 healthy participants aged 18 to 50, will compare the HD-MAP delivery against traditional needle and syringe methods.
The vaccine patch targets skin-resident immune cells, enhancing immune responses and potentially reducing dose requirements, stated Vaxxas.
The technology promises easier administration, room-temperature stability, and reduced costs, addressing logistical challenges of vaccine distribution, especially in pandemic scenarios.
Early trials have shown the potential for self-administration, broadening access in emergencies.
Avian flu, particularly H7N9, is considered a significant health threat due to severe illness in infected individuals as reported by the World Health Organisation recently.
The trial, conducted at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Doherty Clinical Trials, will provide crucial data for potential pandemic responses, with initial results expected in 2025.
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