Advances in Technology and Collaborative Research. Recent advances in the world of technology may influence the formulation and delivery of vaccines. This article will explore some of the ideas being considered in the near term along with some that are still in the "innovation phase."
Vaccines were originally developed to combat smallpox in 1545 and gained widespread acceptance in the 1800's, but were not formally designated as "vaccines" until 1881, when Louis Pasteur proposed the name to honor Edward Jenner - The Father of Immunology. Edward Jenner's innovation saved more lives than any other medical development in history.
Jonas Salk became a national hero with his development of the polio vaccine, and Albert Sabin developed the first oral polio vaccine in 1961.
One of the challenges hindering vaccine development is economics. Pharmaceutical companies have limited incentive to develop vaccines to combat malaria and HIV in developing countries due to limited revenue potential. The new technologies may remove these economic restrictions.
Some of the delivery ideas and strategies being considered include liposomes, ISCOM (immune stimulating complex), fast dissolving tablets, inhalers, a flu patch or (vaccine nanopatch), plasmids, a flying mosquito and a variety of embedded systems and MEMS.
Vaccines were originally developed to combat smallpox in 1545 and gained widespread acceptance in the 1800's, but were not formally designated as "vaccines" until 1881, when Louis Pasteur proposed the name to honor Edward Jenner - The Father of Immunology. Edward Jenner's innovation saved more lives than any other medical development in history.
Jonas Salk became a national hero with his development of the polio vaccine, and Albert Sabin developed the first oral polio vaccine in 1961.
One of the challenges hindering vaccine development is economics. Pharmaceutical companies have limited incentive to develop vaccines to combat malaria and HIV in developing countries due to limited revenue potential. The new technologies may remove these economic restrictions.
Some of the delivery ideas and strategies being considered include liposomes, ISCOM (immune stimulating complex), fast dissolving tablets, inhalers, a flu patch or (vaccine nanopatch), plasmids, a flying mosquito and a variety of embedded systems and MEMS.
Liposomes
Researchers have been investigating the use of liposomes, a tiny bubble (vesicle) made from the same material as the cell membrane for over 50 years. These advances have led to many clinical trials in such diverse areas as the delivery of anti-cancer, anti-fungal and antibiotic drugs, the delivery of gene medicines, and the delivery of anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A number of liposomes (lipidic nanoparticles) are on the market, and more are in the pipeline.
ISCOM (Immune Stimulating Complex)
ISCOM was first described 20 years ago as an antigen delivery system. Iscoms are cage-like structures, known to promote both antibody and cellular immune responses in a variety of experimental animal models.
The Flu Patch & (Nanopatch)
The flu patch is a promising new device that is safer to administer than needles and less expensive to produce & store because they are shipped and stored at room temperature. The patches are self-administered and could provide a large increase in the amount of vaccine coverage against influenza disease globally.
Fast Dissolving Tablets
PATH, an international nonprofit is developing a fast-dissolving tablet (FDT), which offers an inexpensive, scalable, and easy-to-use product presentation for live attenuated vaccines. This is just one of the innovations resulting from the ISCOM research noted above.
The Flying Mosquito
In 2009, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to inject entrepreneurial boldness and risk-taking into the often staid world of medical research. One idea that received funding was the - flying syringe proposed by Hiroyuki Matsuoka of Jichi Medical University in Japan. His idea was recently picked up by Provita, a company staffed by kids younger than 18 years old. According to CEO Joshua Meier, The first goal is to genetically engineer mosquitoes so that they can produce and deliver a vaccine (via their saliva) for West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes, Meier explains, will be sterilized to prevent any out-of-control problems. Its a new twist on research done elsewhere to breed sterile mosquitoes in malaria-infested areas.
Embedded Systems and MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems)
Finally, two rapidly emerging technologies (embedded systems and MEMS ) may offer many new opportunities for advancement as innovative pharmaceutical companies, scientists and teenagers explore their potential applications. These technologies are extremely inexpensive and present limited risk and have shorter development cycles.
Collaboration Between IT Professionals & Biomedical Researchers, Scientists, medical researchers and the IT community recently convened at a Techonomy Bio Conference to explore placing embedded systems (miniaturized chips) into medical devices. Vaccine delivery will be one of the first areas to explore.
MEMS are already in nebulizers and inhalers. Vaccine delivery is next Hollow micro-needles for influenza vaccine and rabies vaccine.
Recent advances in the world of technology will influence the formulation and delivery of vaccines. If these developments mirror the rate at which smartphones have changed our world, they will be coming on board very quickly indeed!
Researchers have been investigating the use of liposomes, a tiny bubble (vesicle) made from the same material as the cell membrane for over 50 years. These advances have led to many clinical trials in such diverse areas as the delivery of anti-cancer, anti-fungal and antibiotic drugs, the delivery of gene medicines, and the delivery of anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A number of liposomes (lipidic nanoparticles) are on the market, and more are in the pipeline.
ISCOM (Immune Stimulating Complex)
ISCOM was first described 20 years ago as an antigen delivery system. Iscoms are cage-like structures, known to promote both antibody and cellular immune responses in a variety of experimental animal models.
The Flu Patch & (Nanopatch)
The flu patch is a promising new device that is safer to administer than needles and less expensive to produce & store because they are shipped and stored at room temperature. The patches are self-administered and could provide a large increase in the amount of vaccine coverage against influenza disease globally.
Fast Dissolving Tablets
PATH, an international nonprofit is developing a fast-dissolving tablet (FDT), which offers an inexpensive, scalable, and easy-to-use product presentation for live attenuated vaccines. This is just one of the innovations resulting from the ISCOM research noted above.
The Flying Mosquito
In 2009, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $100,000 in grants to inject entrepreneurial boldness and risk-taking into the often staid world of medical research. One idea that received funding was the - flying syringe proposed by Hiroyuki Matsuoka of Jichi Medical University in Japan. His idea was recently picked up by Provita, a company staffed by kids younger than 18 years old. According to CEO Joshua Meier, The first goal is to genetically engineer mosquitoes so that they can produce and deliver a vaccine (via their saliva) for West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes, Meier explains, will be sterilized to prevent any out-of-control problems. Its a new twist on research done elsewhere to breed sterile mosquitoes in malaria-infested areas.
Embedded Systems and MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems)
Finally, two rapidly emerging technologies (embedded systems and MEMS ) may offer many new opportunities for advancement as innovative pharmaceutical companies, scientists and teenagers explore their potential applications. These technologies are extremely inexpensive and present limited risk and have shorter development cycles.
Collaboration Between IT Professionals & Biomedical Researchers, Scientists, medical researchers and the IT community recently convened at a Techonomy Bio Conference to explore placing embedded systems (miniaturized chips) into medical devices. Vaccine delivery will be one of the first areas to explore.
MEMS are already in nebulizers and inhalers. Vaccine delivery is next Hollow micro-needles for influenza vaccine and rabies vaccine.
Recent advances in the world of technology will influence the formulation and delivery of vaccines. If these developments mirror the rate at which smartphones have changed our world, they will be coming on board very quickly indeed!
Author Bio: Jeff Shjarback, MBA is a Digital Marketing Strategy Consultant that has worked as a Vaccine Specialist and Biological Products Specialist. Jeff enjoys blogging about digital marketing, small business, lead generation, economics, innovation & emerging technology, future trend analysis and business philosophy. Jeff is one of the main contributors to FluPatch.org. To learn more about Jeff, you can visit his Google Author Profile.
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