Orexo partners with Abera to develop nasal powder vaccines using AmorphOX technology

Orexo AB, a Swedish pharmaceutical company, is advancing its innovative drug delivery technology, AmorphOX, in collaboration with Abera Bioscience to enhance vaccine development. The partnership focuses on leveraging AmorphOX to create powder-based formulations that stabilize active ingredients and provide effective administration routes. This initiative is part of Orexo’s strategy to expand the applicability of its AmorphOX platform, which is capable of supporting a diverse range of active substances, from small molecules to large biomolecules, including vaccines.

Orexo has joined forces with Abera Bioscience, a Dutch-Swedish biotechnology firm with expertise in developing mucosal vaccines. Abera, recognized for its innovative and patented vaccine platform, aims to leverage Orexo’s AmorphOX technology to develop nasal vaccines, initially targeting influenza. The nasal administration of vaccines is particularly appealing due to its potential to curb infection spread and prevent disease more efficiently, a crucial aspect in managing seasonal flu and preparing for possible pandemics.

Influenza remains a significant global health challenge, with the potential to evolve into a pandemic. Current vaccines often fall short of delivering sufficient protection. The suitability of Orexo’s powder formulation technology for vaccine delivery makes it a promising partner for Abera. Maria Alriksson, CEO of Abera Bioscience, highlights the synergy between Orexo’s formulation expertise and Abera’s vaccine development capabilities, anticipating significant progress in the upcoming year.

The collaboration is financially supported by grants received by Abera, predominantly from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI). This funding underscores the innovative potential of Abera’s vaccine platform in tackling epidemic threats through the development of mucosal vaccines.

Robert Rönn, Orexo’s SVP and Head of R&D, expresses enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing how Abera’s vaccine platform aligns with Orexo’s strategic goals for AmorphOX. The partnership showcases the potential and value of the AmorphOX technology, enhancing its utility and demonstrating its capacity to improve vaccine efficacy and stability.

Orexo, with three decades of experience, has carved a niche in developing pharmaceuticals using proprietary technologies to address significant medical needs. Its innovations primarily target opioid use disorder and related conditions in the U.S., while exploring other therapeutic domains globally through partnerships. Known for generating substantial sales and employing a workforce dedicated to pharmaceutical advancement, Orexo is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and trades on the OTCQX market in the U.S.

Abera Bioscience, founded in 2012, is rooted in advanced molecular biology research from universities in Amsterdam and Stockholm. It focuses on creating innovative vaccines using its patented platform technologies. Abera’s vaccines, designed for nasal administration, are cost-effective and easy to produce. The company currently prioritizes the development of pneumococcal vaccines and pandemic preparedness, with its lead product, a nasal pneumococcal vaccine, heading towards Phase 1 clinical trials.

Abera’s BERA™ platform utilizes bacterial particles called Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs), adorned with disease-specific antigens, to offer protection both at mucosal surfaces and systemically. This platform allows rapid development of new vaccine candidates by replacing antigens in a modular fashion, thereby providing a versatile solution for emerging infectious diseases.