Needle-Free Delivery Devices Shape the Future of Vaccines, Says Frost & Sullivan
Drug delivery technologies that improve access and overall efficacy are becoming an essential part of the entire drug development process. Pharmaceutical companies are particularly investing billions of dollars in new vaccine delivery technologies in a bid to move away from needles and syringes to skin delivery procedures.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Needle-Free Nanopatch Vaccines, finds that though the needle-free delivery sector currently makes up a small fraction of the total drug delivery market, the next 5–10 years will see transdermal and intradermal systems (patches and degradable implants), fast-dissolving tablet vaccines, inhalers, and pulmonary delivery methods change the vaccine industry.
While certain forms of needle-free vaccines, such as liquid jet injection, gene guns and micro-needles are already in use, the cell damage caused during administration and the inability to consistently and directly deliver vaccines renders such delivery methods inefficient. Nevertheless, this inefficiency opens doors for vaccine manufacturers to create and commercialise a needle-free system that is not fraught with challenges.
“The delivery of drugs through needle-free devices is gaining acceptance owing to the availability of more formulations for needle-free deliveries,” said Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Research Analyst Swathi Allada. “Significant advancements have been made, most of which have centred on addressing patient comfort levels and increasing the adoption of self-injectable therapies.”
The development of thermostable vaccines with a long shelf life is another area of focus for many vaccine manufacturers, especially for those marketing to nations where cold-chain storage is an issue. The nanopatch, for instance, eliminates the need for refrigeration as the thermostable vaccine is formulated in dry form, making transportation significantly cheaper than traditional needles.
The nanopatch is a micro-needle patch comprising of little, densely packed micro-projections with a defined geometry. Smaller than a postage stamp – and getting smaller – it is capable of directly depositing vaccine to thousands of skin immune cells without causing damage to the cell membrane in the process.
“The nanopatch achieves precise, controlled and consistent skin penetration along with rapid dissolution and diffusion of the vaccine,” noted Allada. “Early-stage tests conducted on mouse models have shown that the nanopatch-delivered flu vaccine is effective even with 1/150th of the dose normally given through a traditional syringe.”
With successful testing in animals, clinical trials on humans will need to be wrapped up to attain FDA approval. Once this happens, the technology will rapidly gain traction both among patients and physicians, ultimately changing the course of vaccine delivery globally.
This Market Insight, Needle-Free Nanopatch Vaccines, is part of the Advanced Medical Technologies Growth Partnership Service program. The Insight covers a range of needle-free vaccine deliveries, discussing drivers for adoption and application scope. The study also details the development and potential of the nanopatch, as well as its impact on the vaccine industry.
Related News
-
News Eli Lilly gets ready to launch five new drugs in 2023
Eli Lilly, the American pharmaceutical company (IN, USA) are gearing up for a big year ahead, with hopes to launch five new drugs and capitalise on growing obesity and Alzheimer’s disease markets. -
News Amgen buys Horizon for $27.8 billion in bold step into the rare disease market
Amgen Inc buys pharmaceutical company Horizon Therapeutics in a multibillion-dollar deal, in hopes to capitalise on it's portfolio of drugs in the highly sort after rare disease market. -
News Pharma Supply Chain People Moves
The latest appointments and promotions across the pharmaceutical supply chain. -
News Merck to donate new Ebola vaccine to defend against outbreaks in Uganda
Pharmaceutical giant Merck has announced they will be speeding up the processing of a new vaccine against the latest strain of the Ebola virus, to be donated to a global non-profit organisation for distribution -
News CPHI Podcast Series: Driving innovation with pharmaceutical startups
The latest episode in the CPHI Podcast Series explores how startups are driving innovation by taking high-risk approaches and doing business with greater agility. -
News Greener and efficient processes: Quaternary Ammonium Salts
Quaternary Ammonium Salts play a crucial part in Organic Chemistry processes at many major industries. Discover why.
-
News Biosimilars save patients $11B annually, but barriers to adoption remain in US market
Biosimilars introduce competition into the biologics market, driving down prices and increasing patient access. -
News WHO recommends use of two monoclonal antibody treatments against Ebola
The health body recommended use of treatments by Regeneron and Ridgeback Bio
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance