Aphios Granted U.S. Patent for Innovative Room Temperature-Stable mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine

Aphios Corporation, based in North Reading, Massachusetts, has achieved a significant milestone with the United States Patent and Trademark Office's issuance of a Notice of Allowance for their patent application concerning a groundbreaking COVID-19 vaccine. This advancement highlights Aphios' commitment to overcoming the challenges associated with current mRNA vaccine technologies.

The newly approved patent introduces an innovative COVID-19 vaccine platform utilizing a proprietary double nanoencapsulation system. This system effectively embeds mRNA molecules encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein within Lipid Nanoparticles (LPN) or Phospholipid Nanosomes. It subsequently coats these with biodegradable polymer nanospheres, utilizing Aphios' environmentally friendly SuperFluids™ technology. This method is designed to extend the release of mRNA, ensuring the vaccine remains stable at room or refrigerator temperatures. Consequently, this eliminates the need for ultra-cold storage and complex distribution logistics, a limitation of existing mRNA vaccines.

Current mRNA vaccines, while effective, often require storage at extremely low temperatures, typically -70°C or -20°C, and involve multiple doses. They also raise concerns about polyethylene glycol (PEG)-related hypersensitivity. Aphios' patented solution addresses these challenges by providing a PEG-free, single-dose vaccine with sustained antigen release, making it scalable for global distribution.

Dr. Trevor P. Castor, Founder and CEO of Aphios, emphasized the importance of this patent as a significant progression in making vaccines more accessible and practical worldwide. The innovation positions the technology to fight COVID-19 effectively and prepare for future pandemics. This invention has broader potential applications for other viral infectious diseases, especially in regions lacking advanced medical infrastructure. The continuous-flow, solvent-free encapsulation process ensures high safety standards, environmental sustainability, and manufacturability.

With the patent allowance, Aphios is gearing up for further development and regulatory advancements. The company is also exploring strategic partnerships to facilitate clinical trials, manufacturing, and global distribution of this promising vaccine.

Aphios Corporation is a burgeoning biotechnology company focused on developing green enabling technology platforms to enhance drug discovery and manufacturing, nanotechnology drug delivery, and pathogenic safety. Through these platforms, Aphios aims to create improved therapeutics for sustainably enhancing quality of life. Their focus spans the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including cancers, infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, influenza, COVID-19, and chronic central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, pain, addiction, and anxiety. This new vaccine patent underscores Aphios' dedication to innovative solutions in biotechnology, paving the way for more accessible and practical healthcare advancements globally.