Nova Bio-Pharma Technologies has secured a US patent for its vaccine stabilisation device HydRIS.
HydRIS enables pharmaceuticals to be dried and stabilised onto a fibrous membrane, keeping them stable over a wide temperature range, long-term. The membrane is encased in a small custom-designed housing which can attach a standard needle and syringe. At the point of use, liquid in the syringe is flushed through the device and the re-hydrated active ingredient is delivered via the needle, in a single action.
Nova says it delivers instantly injectable, highly stable vaccines and other medicines - at temperatures from below 0°C to 50°C and could revolutionise vaccine supplies in the developing world by eliminating the need for cold storage.
Sam de Costa, Nova's stabilisation project manager, said: "We have an enabling technology to stabilise highly temperature sensitive medicines, such as live viral and bacterial vector vaccines and certain proteins while meeting the growing demand for injectables, and this patent success is a boost to everyone involved in this field of medicine."
HydRIS has been tested in collaboration with a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers and leading academic institutes where the products were kept stable for prolonged periods at elevated temperatures without product degradation.
The highly portable device has uses in therapeutics, field medicine, emergency medicine, bio-defence and diagnostics, veterinary applications as well as pandemic preparations.
Nova says by developing vaccines that can be stored at ambient temperatures in any location the developing world could cut the needless waste of vaccines destroyed from improper storage, and the costs and logistics needed with the cold storage chain.
HydRIS could also be modified for a range of other applications, like oral or topical delivery of stabilised vaccines and therapeutics.
De Costa said: "The market is seeking new forms of drugs delivery to improve all stages of its lifecycle - from manufacture to administration and storage. We are engaged in many projects to develop new products or re-invigorate older ones looking to extend their value, and this patent offers added security for those seeking to invest in new technologies with us."
HydRIS is the trade-mark name for Hypodermic Rehydration Injection System.
To find out more visit http://www.novalabs.co.uk.