The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded NanoBio approximately $10.5 million (if all options are exercised) for the development of a nanoemulsion (NE) adjuvant for use with a pandemic influenza vaccine, according to the company. The initial contract is valued at $5.5 million, with a future option to test the NE adjuvant with an HIV vaccine.
“Our most recent studies at NanoBio have tested NE-adjuvanted vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and type 2 genital herpes (HSV2), two viruses that enter the body via mucosal sites,” said David Peralta, chief executive officer of NanoBio. “The results of these studies very clearly demonstrate the ability of the NE adjuvant to elicit mucosal immunity and the important role this type of immunity plays in protecting against disease.”
The funding will specifically support the research and development of NanoVax-Panflu, which combines NanoBio’s proprietary NE adjuvant with a plant-based recombinant H5 pandemic influenza antigen. This adjuvanted vaccine could provide enhanced protection against infection by eliciting both mucosal and systemic immunity.
NanoBio’s NanoStat technology platform employs a novel oil-in-water nanoemulsion that can incorporate, deliver and adjuvant multiple antigen types. The NE adjuvant is effective when administered via intranasal, intramuscular or subcutaneous vaccination.
