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news.3M Drug Delivery Systems, a developer of transdermal drug delivery technology, has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with VaxInnate, a biotechnology company, to develop a flu vaccine patch for use against a pandemic flu outbreak.
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The non-exclusive licensing agreement provides VaxInnate with use of patented 3M microneedle technology, called 3M microstructured transdermal system (MTS) technology, to deliver its M2e universal flu vaccine using a convenient skin patch instead of a traditional injection.
3M’s innovative microneedle technology penetrates the skin with minimal discomfort, providing intradermal delivery for drugs, vaccines and protein therapeutics that are typically available only via injection. This application expands the range of active pharmaceutical ingredients that can be delivered via a skin patch while eliminating the need for sharps disposal.
VaxInnate has reported impressive results from early human testing of its M2e universal flu vaccine candidate, which could end the need for annual flu shots and provide protection against seasonal and pandemic flu strains. The vaccine candidate will advance into further human studies in 2009.
Kris Hansen, MTS technical manager of 3M Drug Delivery Systems, said: “Our technology combines the ease, convenience and self-administration potential of a transdermal patch with the speed and efficiency of a traditional injection. Studies using model vaccines have validated the potential effectiveness of delivering vaccines with the solid microstructured transdermal system.”