BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a publicly traded advanced clinical stage biotechnology company, will conduct collaborative studies with MonoSol Rx located in New Jersey, USA, to investigate the activity of BiondVax’s universal influenza vaccine, M-001, when formulated utilizing MonoSol Rx’s PharmaFilm technology. M-001 in this form would be administered orally and should be stable at room temperature.
The multiple advantages of an oral universal influenza vaccine include ease of delivery and increased compliance, due to the absence of needles, as well as ease of distribution. Since the film is small and likely stable at room temperature it could even be mailed in the post. These benefits could prove critical in the unfortunate event of an influenza pandemic, when rapid public access worldwide to influenza vaccines is demanded.
The CSO of BiondVax, Dr Tamar Ben-Yedidia comments, “The universality and immunogenicity of our universal influenza vaccine, M-001, has been demonstrated in animal models and in the clinic. Now that we are taking M-001 through the advanced stages of clinical development, it is the right time to explore the option of delivery by mouth, as this route is easier for most people”.
Dr Ron Babecoff, BiondVax’s CEO adds, “We are happy BiondVax is receiving worldwide recognition, which will enable us to move into the next phase of our business development, namely securing agreements with international pharmaceutical and biotech companies”.
BiondVax is a publicly traded advanced clinical stage biotech company dedicated to improving protection against influenza, with its lead product a universal influenza (flu) vaccine called M-001.
MonoSol Rx located in New Jersey, USA, is a speciality pharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary PharmFilm technology to deliver drugs in films.