Publication of preclinical data in the Journal Vaccine on Verndari novel vaccination system using a microneedle dermal patch was announced today.
The early study examined Verndari’s proprietary influenza vaccine administered with its patented VaxiPatch™ technology. Results showed a significantly increased immune response compared with an existing influenza vaccine.
“The Verndari VaxiPatch™ system holds the promise of enabling faster development of vaccines for new threats such as COVID-19 as well as more effective vaccines for existing viruses, such as influenza,” said Dr. Daniel R. Henderson, CEO of Verndari. “VaxiPatch™ eliminates the need for refrigeration, a major cost factor, and barrier to access throughout developing countries. By using microarray technologies that carry a temperature-stable vaccine, we can enable mass manufacturing, which is both cost-effective and increases global access to these life-saving treatments.”
For the preclinical study, Verndari used novel formulations of genetically engineered, single, purified protein antigens or “subunits,” along with novel formulations of adjuvants and its patented VaxiPatch™ microneedle array dermal patch. Verndari has created a single monovalent component of a quadrivalent seasonal flu vaccine that uses recombinant influenza hemagglutinin (rHA) as an antigen active ingredient for influenza virus B/Colorado/06/2017. The rHA functions in the FDA-approved single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) potency test. Verndari’s influenza vaccine configuration also allows the use of FDA-approved surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy, the testing of the patient vaccine response by the hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI). This shortens clinical trial times to six weeks. Results showed that when compared with an existing influenza vaccine, Verndari obtained as much as a 15-fold higher immune response with 1/15 of the dose for the B/Colorado/06/2017 influenza strain.