- Micron's technology class, prioritized by the World Health
Organization and others for eradicating disease, demonstrates
tolerability, safety and immunogenicity of a measles and rubella
vaccine
- Micron's technology will be evaluated in additional clinical
trials within the next 12 months
ATLANTA, May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Micron Biomedical, a life science company
developing first-in-class dissolvable microarray-based products
that simplify and improve the transport, storage, and
administration of drugs and vaccines, today announced
the publication of its positive Measles and Rubella (MR) Phase
1/2 trial data in The Lancet Medical Journal. A
comment in the same issue discussed implications of the data and
recognized microarray technology for its potential to be
"game-changing in humanitarian settings."
In the same issue, the needle-free
technology is recognized for its potential to be
"game-changing."
The landmark study demonstrated positive safety and
immunogenicity of Micron's MR vaccine microarray technology in the
first study of its kind in adults and children as young as nine
months. Microarray technology has been identified as the highest
global priority innovation for overcoming immunization barriers in
low- and middle-income countries by the Vaccine Innovation
Prioritisation Strategy (VIPS) Alliance–a consortium between the
World Health Organization, GAVI, UNICEF, PATH and the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation.
"Making injectable pharmaceuticals available without needles has
the potential to eradicate disease in low- and middle-income
countries as well as to make treatments and vaccines more
accessible in developed nations and among military personnel," said
Micron Biomedical CEO, Steven Damon.
"Following the recognition of the urgent need for Micron's
needle-free dissolvable microarray technology by global health,
regulatory and commercial leaders, this publication in the esteemed
The Lancet Medical Journal is important
recognition of its safety and immunogenicity by the scientific
community."
In low- and middle-income countries, measles remains a leading
cause of death, primarily due to infrastructure-related barriers to
conventional vaccine access such as refrigeration for transport and
storage and ample clinicians. Micron's needle-free version of the
measles-rubella (MR) vaccine based on its proprietary microarray
technology reduces the need for cold chain and allows for
self-administration by applying the microarray technology to the
skin and pressing a button that indicates vaccine delivery. The
administration of the vaccine is virtually pain-free.
"We have the tools to eliminate measles and rubella. However, to
achieve and maintain elimination, programs aim to vaccinate at
least 95% of their target population. In many places, particularly
in low- and middle-income countries, this goal isn't reached due to
hurdles communities face in vaccinating all children. These
barriers include the need for travel to vaccination sites, having
enough trained healthcare professionals to provide injectable
vaccines, and keeping vaccines at the correct temperature for
transport and storage," said James
Goodson, Senior Scientist and Epidemiologist in the Global
Immunization Division at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), and co-investigator for the study. "That's why
deploying next generation vaccines is a top global health priority,
particularly for efforts to achieve global measles and rubella
elimination."
The Micron Biomedical study—the first clinical trial ever to
evaluate microarray technology in children—was a double-blind,
double-dummy, randomized, age-de-escalation study conducted by the
Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia (MRCG). Participants included eligible
18- to 40-year old adults, 15- to 18-month old toddlers and nine-
to 10-month old infants. Micron's MR microarray technology was
well-tolerated and safe with a robust immune response comparable to
subcutaneous injection. All local reactions were mild. There were
no related serious adverse events.
Last year, Micron Biomedical announced receipt of a $23.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation that will fund mass production of Micron's
needle-free vaccines and enable commercialization of the first
microarray technology-based measles-rubella vaccine, indicated for
children as young as 9 months, once approved by the appropriate
regulatory authorities following additional clinical study.
Micron's microarray technology has also generated positive
clinical data in influenza and is being evaluated in other
indications including additional infectious diseases,
contraception, diabetes treatment and weight loss.
About Micron Biomedical's Microarray
Technology
Micron's technology uses a dissolvable microarray
"button" that is applied directly to the skin, and when pushed,
delivers the vaccine or therapeutic directly into the uppermost
dermal layers–painlessly–and can be self-administered or
administered by a caregiver or parent. Drug delivery is complete
within moments and the technology can be removed from the skin and
discarded as non-sharps waste within seconds to minutes of
administration. Micron's technology is thermostable and reduces the
need for cold chain transport and storage, enabling medications to
be shipped virtually anywhere.
About Measles and Rubella
Measles and rubella are
viral diseases that can lead to serious health complications or
death. The infections can cause brain damage, blindness and
deafness. Measles can also cause pneumonia and diarrhea and rubella
can lead to heart disorders. In unvaccinated pregnant women,
rubella can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. Measles
and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases.
About Micron Biomedical
Micron Biomedical is the
leader in dissolvable microarray-based, drug and vaccine
administration technology. Micron Biomedical is a clinical-stage
life science company on a rapid path to commercializing its
proprietary dissolvable, microarray technology. Micron's technology
is designed to improve access and achieve better health outcomes
globally through injection-free, painless, and simple and/or
self-administration of drugs and vaccines, and by eliminating or
reducing the need for cold chain transport and storage, enhancing
safety and efficacy, and improving patient compliance. Micron
partners with and/or receives funding from private and public
pharmaceutical and biotech companies, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
PATH and the Georgia Research Alliance. For more information visit
www.micronbiomedical.com
Media Inquiries:
Shira
Derasmo
Cuttlefish Communications
+1 917 280 2497
pr@micronbiomedical.com
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SOURCE Micron Biomedical, Inc.