Needle-Free COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Promise – Protection via a Single Pain-Free “Click”

Technicians working with the high-density microarray patch in the Vaxxas cleanroom. Credit: Vaxxas

A needle-free COVID-19 vaccination could be possible, with scientists at the University of Queensland successfully protecting mice against the virus by administering a US-developed vaccine candidate with a ‘patch’.

The University of Texas Hexapro vaccine candidate — delivered via the UQ-developed and Vaxxas commercialized high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) — provided protection against COVID-19 disease with a single, pain-free ‘click’ from a pocket-sized applicator.

High-density microarray patch technology. Credit: The University of Queensland

dr. David Muller, of UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, said the vaccine patch elicited strong immune responses that were shown to be effective when the mice were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19.

“When the Hexapro vaccine is administered through an HD-MAP applicator — rather than a needle — it produces better and faster immune responses,” said Dr. Muller.

“It also neutralizes multiple variants, including those in the UK and South Africa.

“And it’s much easier to use than a needle — you just ‘click’ an applicator on the skin and 5,000 microscopic projections put the vaccine into the skin almost imperceptibly.”

UQ’s Dr. David Muller with HD-MAP technology. Credit: The University of Queensland

dr. Muller said the UQ team, along with Vaxxas, hoped to bring the technology to the world and is seeking funding opportunities to accelerate into clinical trials as soon as possible.”

“Hexapro, delivered by the high-density microarray patch, could greatly support global vaccine deployment efforts, especially for billions of vulnerable people in low- and middle-income countries.

“We have shown that this vaccine, when applied as a dry layer to a patch, is stable for at least 30 days at 25 degrees Celsius and a week at 40 degrees, so it does not meet the cold chain requirements of some of the current options . .”

Vaxxas President and CEO David L. Hoey said he was very excited about the findings.

The UQ research team, with (foreground, LR) Dr. Chris McMillan, Dr. David Muller, (background, LR) Dr. Alberto Amarilla, Dr. Naphak Modhiran Ortiz and Mrs Jovin Choo. Credit: The University of Queensland

“These results are extremely clear – vaccination with HD-MAP produces much stronger and more protective immune responses against COVID-19 in model systems than via needle or syringe,” he said.

“We thank and acknowledge our incredible research associates at UQ for these important findings.

“The prospect of a single-dose vaccine, which can be easily distributed and self-administered, would greatly improve global pandemic vaccination opportunities.”

Reference: October 29, 2021, Science Advances.
DOI: 10.1126/sciaadv.abj8065