Called the MicroPyramid technology, this method offers the possibility to effectively and painlessly administer vaccines intra-epidermally. Conventional needles are too large to do this, and other transdermal technologies are either incapable of, or are inefficient at delivering large molecules.
According to NanoPass founder Shuki Yeshurun, “there is potential that this technology may lower the amount of dose required to provide the same immune response, reduce the need for boosts, or potentially improve the protection rate by stimulating multiple immune pathways.”
The GBP450,000 Britech grant will accelerate the collaboration between the companies and support development efforts for the next two years.
“Britech is delighted to support this collaboration,” commented Tony Warwick, Britech’s chief executive. “It is a perfect example of the benefits to be gained through UK-Israel collaboration, harnessing the technology synergies between the two countries.”
The Britech Foundation is a government-backed bilateral organization providing active support for collaborative R&D ventures between UK and Israeli companies. Since its start in late 1999, it has provided support for hundreds of UK and Israeli companies and more than thirty development projects covering a wide range of technologies.