Orlance, Inc. awarded RNA Vaccine Development Grant
Summary
SEATTLE, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seattle-based biotech Orlance, Inc. has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop and optimize RNA vaccine formulations using its needle-free MACH-1 platform. Unlike traditional lipid nanoparticle (LNP) RNA vaccine formulations, which require ultra-cold storage and have been associated with rare adverse events like myocarditis, the MACH-1 platform utilizes dry, stable RNA-coated gold microparticles. This method enables direct delivery into the epidermis, the skins highly immunocompetent layer, leading to robust immune responses at much lower doses. Moreover, this needle-free and painless delivery system ensures better stability at ambient temperatures, providing significant supply chain advantages in both developed and low-resource settings. It aims to optimize RNA formulations for MACH-1 gene gun delivery that maximize loading, maintain functional integrity, and ensure stability and immunogenicity.