‘Needle-Free’ Bird Flu Vaccine Trial Begins in Australia With US Backing

An Australian and U.S. biotech company will trial a new bird flu vaccine that does not require a needle for injection.
The vaccine company received $43 million (US$28.5 million) from the U.S. government to conduct the trial in response to “future pandemic threats.”
The phase one clinical trial will test a vaccine that can be administered via a skin patch and a small applicator device.
Known as the High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP), the system delivers the vaccine to immune cells immediately below the skin service, targeting the immune systems directly. This can potentially improve the immune response compared to traditional needle based injections.
Commenting on the trial, Vaxxas CEO David Hoey said global pandemic threats require the world’s health organisations to have better and more accessible vaccine delivery options.
“With potential benefits such as thermostability, ease of use, and patient acceptability, Vaxxas’ HD-MAP is designed to be rapidly and broadly deployed to accelerate vaccination uptake and rates,” he said.
It will involve three University of the Sunshine Coast’s clinical trial centres in Queensland and the Doherty Clinical Trial centre in Melbourne, Victoria.
They are currently recruiting healthy volunteers to take part in the phase one clinical trial. Participants will need to visit the Doherty Clinical Trials’ facility in East Melbourne for nine scheduled visits across a 13-month period.
“Previous Phase I trials of Vaxxas’ HD-MAP technology have shown promising results in administering vaccines including seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and measles and rubella.”
The Institute said early studies have shown the technology to be simple to use with the potential for vaccines to be stable at room temperature.
Doherty Clinical Trials CEO Dr. Andrew Brockway said, “We are excited to be collaborating with an Australian biotech company developing a novel vaccination product that could play a significant role in the way we respond to future pandemics.”
Professor James McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer at Doherty Clinical Trials, added, “This innovative vaccine delivery approach is poised to overcome many limitations associated with traditional methods.”
Principal Investigator Dr. Nischal Sahai said the study would assess the safety and tolerability of the influenza vaccine, as well as the body’s immune response.
Results from the trial are expected in early 2025. Vaxxas and clinical partners will provide BARDA with initial results for publication.
In addition, there were six outbreaks of H7N8 in NSW and two in the Australian Capital Territory.
On Sept. 12, Agriculture Victoria advised they had eased restrictions surrounding avian influenza cases in Victoria. No new cases have been detected since June 24.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cook said their efforts to monitor the disease continue however, with staff visiting properties and testing birds in control areas.