In December 2023 CEPI announced that is is partnering with Jurata Thin Film, Inc (Jurata) to advance the development of Jurata’s thermostable under-the-tongue mRNA vaccine films. CEPI is to provide an initial US$1.2 million in support of the proprietary innovative formulation platform; if this is found successful it could “help expand access to mRNA vaccines in underserved regions”.
mRNA requirements
Despite the “critical” role that mRNA vaccine technologies played in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, these vaccines required below-zero storage and distribution facilities. This made them “extremely difficult to deliver to remote areas or low-resource settings”.
CEPI’s Acting Director of Vaccine Manufacturing and Supply Chain, Ingrid Kromann, commented on the importance of vaccine distribution in response to an “emerging crisis”.
“While mRNA quickly became one of the technological ‘shining stars’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, global access to doses was majorly hindered by its frozen storage needs.”
In January 2022 CEPI shared a Call for Proposals for thermostable vaccine manufacturing innovations and Jurata is the fourth partner to be announced in recognition of its “innovative technology, ease of use, and potential accessibility”. Further partners are expected to be announced shortly.
Jurata’s technology
Jurata’s aim is to improve vaccine accessibility to, and administration in, remote regions by stabilising the 3D structure of mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine materials. These materials are provided by Quantoom Biosciences, part of Univercells. The stabilised materials become a thin thermostable film, which no longer requires frozen storage. Furthermore, it is “lightweight” and “compact”, which reduces the need for “specialised resources” and simplifies logistics.
The funding from CEPI will support the optimisation of composition and process of creating the thin films. It will also contribute to preclinical studies to assess if the film formulation can “effectively” stabilise mRNA vaccines and deliver them by placement under the tongue.
“If successful in preclinical trials, and potential later clinical trials, this specialised needle-free delivery option could help promote vaccine uptake in areas of vaccine hesitancy and reduce the need for vaccine delivery specialists by enabling self-administration.”
Ingrid Kromann suggests that the thin films have the potential to “transform” storage, delivery, and distribution of mRNA vaccines.
“Elimination of complex cold-chain requirements could also help limit global vaccine wastage, as doses no longer need to be discarded after being exposed to extreme temperatures.”
Dr Irnela Bajrovic, Chief Scientific Officer at Jurata, is “grateful to CEPI” for their support of Jurata’s “innovative technology” and looks forward to working with Quantoom to “show the breadth of mRNA vaccines” that the technology can “stabilise and deliver”.
“Our stabilising formulations have the potential to facilitate global access to mRNA vaccines and our thin film delivery platform could make vaccine administration far easier than needle-and-syringe injections.”
We look forward to learning more about this technology and its applications from Jurata at the Congress in Washington next year; join us to participate in the discussion. Until then, subscribe for technology insights.
