Microneedle Systems for Vaccine Delivery: the story so far

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Vaccine delivery via a microneedle (MN) system has been identified as a potential alternative to conventional vaccine delivery. MN can be self-administered, is pain-free and is capable of producing superior immunogenicity. Over the last few decades, significant research has been carried out in this area, and this review aims to provide a comprehensive picture on the progress of this delivery platform.

Areas covered

This review highlights the potential role of skin as a vaccine delivery route using a microneedle system, examines recent advancements in microneedle fabrication techniques, and provides an update on potential preclinical and clinical studies on vaccine delivery through microneedle systems against various infectious diseases. Articles for the review study were searched electronically in PubMed, Google, Google Scholar, and Science Direct using specific keywords to cover the scope of the article. The advanced search strategy was employed to identify the most relevant articles.

Expert opinion

A significant number of MN mediated vaccine candidates have shown promising results in preclinical and clinical trials. The recent emergence of cleanroom free, 3D or additive manufacturing of MN systems and stability, together with the dose-sparing capacity of the Nanopatch® system, have made this platform, commercially, highly lucrative.

KEYWORDS:

• Skin
• microneedle
• fabrication
• immunogenicity
• vaccine

Article highlights

• A MN mediated vaccine delivery system has great potential against infectious diseases and significant developments have been made in this area.

• Clean room free and 3D or additive manufacturing of MN systems will reduce manufacturing costs and time significantly, making this method commercially attractive.

• Vaccine delivery through the Nanopatch® system has demonstrated excellent efficacy, dose-sparing capacity, and stability, and makes this platform commercially more viable.

• Funding will play a key role in the assessment of the vaccine candidates in clinical trial phases.

• Multiple candidate vaccines have demonstrated encouraging results in preclinical and clinical stages.

• The cost-effectiveness of MN mediated vaccine delivery compared to hypodermic injection will dictate the success of this platform.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.