Plus this article:...

Plus this article:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/s...k-are-on-the-way/story-fnpjxnqt-1227241811943

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Immunity ... The nano patch vaccine delivery system invented by University Queensland Professor Mark Kendall. Picture: News Corp Australia. Source: News Limited

Developed by University Queensland bioengineer Professor Mark Kendall, the Nanopatch is a one centimetre square of silicone, studded with 20,000 vaccine coated micro projections that perforate the skin.
The patch activates key immune cells immediately below the skin to generate immunity.
Tests on mice showed the device increased the immune response in mice and could mean less vaccine was needed.
Venture capital company Vaxxas has just raised $25 million to run clinical programs that will develop new vaccine products for major diseases using the Nanopatch.
The company is also working with pharmaceutical company Merck, a major vaccine producer which makes versions key childhood vaccines including measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, chickenpox, meningococcal, HIB and hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccine.


Innovation ... Professor Mark Kendall, University of Queensland, who developed the Nanopatch. Picture: Supplied.Source: Supplied

It also produces the cervical cancer vaccine given to teenage boys and girls in Australia.
It won’t say which of these vaccines will be trialled with the Nanpopatch but Vaxxas says in animal testing the Nanopatch was applicable to all the types of vaccines.
The World Health Organisation is funding research to use the Nanopatch with polio vaccine.
A spokesman for Vaxxas said if trials that begin this year are successful, the Nanopatch vaccines could be on the market within five years.
“All going well, we could potentially have Nanopatches available for vaccinations as a product by 2020,” the spokesman said.