Ann Arbor-based NanoBio Corp. Tuesday announced an award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a Division of The National Institute of Health, to fund vaccine research associated with “Innate Immune Receptors and Adjuvant Discovery.” NanoBio is the principal subcontractor for the $9.3 million contract awarded to the University of Michigan.
NanoBio will receive a subcontract of approximately $4.1 million over the research period to support efforts aimed at developing nanoemulsion-based mucosal vaccine adjuvants for a wide variety of antigens.
“NanoBio’s nanoemulsion-based vaccine adjuvant platform has consistently demonstrated the ability to elicit robust systemic, cellular and mucosal immunity, based on studies we’ve conducted in numerous diseases using various antigen types,” said David Peralta, NanoBio CFO and COO. “This award will fund extensive additional research that will allow NanoBio and the University of Michigan to further advance our adjuvant platform for vaccines.”
NanoBio announced earlier in 2009 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the company’s Investigational New Drug application for the Phase 1 clinical study of NB-1008, a seasonal influenza vaccine administered via a nasal dropper. The Phase 1 study is currently ongoing.
The underlying technology is NanoBio’s NanoStat platform, which employs a nanoemulsion that is created through a proprietary manufacturing process. The nanoemulsion is uniquely capable of permeating the nasal mucosa, where it can load vaccine antigen into immune-presenting cells. These cells then carry the antigen to areas of the body that initiate an immune response, including the lymph nodes, thymus and spleen.
“Our unique approach to inducing immunity leverages nasal immune elements to produce a level of protective immunity not seen with currently available vaccines,” added Mr. Peralta. “This funding will enable NanoBio to make tremendous advances in terms of mucosal vaccination, which could provide significant advantages with respect to disease protection worldwide.”
The company’s lead dermatology and anti-infective product candidates include treatments for herpes labialis (cold sores), onychomycosis (nail fungus), tinea capitis, acne, molluscum contagiosum, and cystic fibrosis. NanoBio is a spin-off from the University of Michigan and holds the exclusive global license to the nanoemulsion platform technology.
More at www.nanobio.com.
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