Micron Biomedical Announces Lancet Publication of Positive Phase 1/2 Data for Needle-Free Child Vaccines Trial

Micron Biomedical, a life science company focused on developing innovative dissolvable microarray-based products for drug and vaccine administration, has announced promising results from its Phase 1/2 clinical trial for a measles and rubella (MR) vaccine. Published in The Lancet Medical Journal, the study highlights the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Micron's needle-free MR vaccine technology. This technology is being recognized for its potential to revolutionize vaccine delivery, especially in low- and middle-income countries where traditional vaccine logistics pose significant challenges.

The clinical trial, a landmark study, evaluated the MR microarray technology in both adults and children as young as nine months. The research, conducted by the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia (MRCG), was a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, age-de-escalation study. Participants included adults aged 18-40 years, toddlers aged 15-18 months, and infants aged 9-10 months. The technology demonstrated a robust immune response comparable to traditional subcutaneous injections, with all local reactions being mild and no serious adverse events reported.

Micron's microarray technology, which is prioritized globally for overcoming immunization barriers, offers a needle-free alternative that could significantly improve vaccine accessibility. The technology involves a dissolvable "button" applied to the skin, which delivers the vaccine directly into the uppermost dermal layers painlessly and can be self-administered or administered by someone else. This innovative approach eliminates the need for cold chain transport and storage, addressing a major obstacle in vaccine distribution in under-resourced regions.

Steven Damon, CEO of Micron Biomedical, emphasized the potential of this technology to eradicate diseases in low- and middle-income countries and to improve vaccine accessibility in developed nations and among military personnel. The publication in The Lancet is seen as significant recognition of the technology's safety and efficacy by the scientific community.

Measles remains a leading cause of death in many low- and middle-income countries, primarily due to logistical barriers such as the need for refrigeration and the availability of trained healthcare professionals. Micron's needle-free MR vaccine simplifies these requirements, making it easier to reach the 95% vaccination coverage needed to eliminate measles and rubella. According to James Goodson, Senior Scientist and Epidemiologist at the CDC, deploying next-generation vaccines like Micron's is crucial for global health efforts aiming to eliminate these diseases.

In addition to its MR vaccine, Micron’s microarray technology has shown positive clinical results in other areas such as influenza. Ongoing evaluations are looking into its potential for other infectious diseases, contraception, diabetes treatment, and weight loss.

Last year, Micron Biomedical received a $23.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This funding aims to support the mass production of Micron's needle-free vaccines and facilitate the commercialization of the first microarray technology-based MR vaccine for children as young as nine months, pending further clinical studies and regulatory approval.

Micron Biomedical's microarray technology promises a major advancement in global health, offering a thermostable, pain-free, and easy-to-administer solution for drug and vaccine delivery. With its potential to overcome significant logistical barriers, this technology is poised to play a crucial role in improving health outcomes worldwide.