USC Clinical Trials is about to begin a study in collaboration with Australian biotechnology company Vaxxas, developers of a potential new needle-free vaccine delivery technology – the high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP).

The trial of this new vaccine delivery technology will be led by Dr Indika Leelasena at the USC Clinical Trials centre at Health Hub Morayfield.

Dr Angus Forster, Chief Development Officer at Vaxxas, said the study will investigate the safety and tolerability of a measles and rubella vaccine delivered by HD-MAP and assess whether it provides an immune response comparable to a standard intramuscular dose as delivered by needle.

“This patch could offer some exciting advances in vaccine delivery and might help eliminate the need for needles when giving any vaccination,” he said. “It could also mean that vaccines no longer need to be refrigerated, making it easier to transport them safely to people in remote locations.

“This would be a major improvement to healthcare around the world. Measles remains a major health problem in low- and middle-income countries, so a successful patch vaccine will likely save thousands of lives every year.”

USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka said it was exciting to see some of the most innovative advances to vaccine technology coming out of Australia.

“We hope our community will share our excitement around this, and show their support through participating in the trial,” he said.

The study requires healthy volunteers aged 18-50 years old who are in good general health and have a body mass index within the range of 18-32.

Participants will be required to visit the USC Clinical Trials clinic at Morayfield approximately seven times over an eight-week period and receive two phone calls.

Those interested in participating can find more information at www.usc.edu.au/trials