DelSite Biotechnologies, a subsidiary of Carrington Laboratories, Inc., has begun manufacturing, to begin trial, of potentially the first needle-free, self administered avian flu vaccine.
The vaccine will utilize DelSite’s proprietary GelVac™ nasal powder delivery platform, which offers many distinct advantages over traditional vaccine delivery systems: (1) easy, needle-free, self-administration, not requiring healthcare professionals; (2) enhanced protection because administration of vaccine into nasal cavity stimulates both a systemic response and mucosal response; (3) no adverse side effects caused by preservatives; (4) stability at room temperature, which eliminates the need for cold storage or cold chain distribution, thereby opening distribution to Third World countries where refrigeration is often not available; and, (5) a demonstrated shelf life of an influenza vaccine of three years, enabling potential stockpiling in the event of a pandemic.
As a prelude to the Phase I human trials, in January 2008 toxicology studies were successfully completed on a GelVac nasal powder (H5N1) influenza vaccine. The GelVac nasal powder platform has also successfully completed a Phase I safety study in which the delivery device provided a consistent, greater-than-90-percent delivery of the powder to the desired site in the nose.
The only thing missing is the promised avian flu epidemic.
Press release: CARRINGTON SUBSIDIARY DELSITE STARTS MAKING TEST BATCHES OF FIRST BIRD FLU VACCINE OFFERING NEEDLE-FREE SELF-ADMINISTRATION
Product page: GelVac™ Intranasal Powder Vaccine Delivery System