The microneedle system, along with an mRNA vaccine candidate, showed enhanced humoral immunity in animal models.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to Sorrento Therapeutics to commence clinical trials of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine STI-1557.
Targeting the Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the vaccine incorporates a mutation in the furin cleavage site that prevents the S1 subunit cleavage from the spike protein from attaching to the muscle cell membrane.
This variation was introduced to prevent S1 subunit leakage from the expressed spike protein (S protein) into the bloodstream.
S1 subunit leakage is claimed to possibly cause unwanted side effects in tissues of vital organs, following dosing with mRNA vaccines approved by the FDA at present.
For protecting mRNAs from degradation, they are encased in a Sorrento lipid nanoparticle formulation (LNP) and facilitate the S protein’s translation in host cells, following intramuscular (IM) dosing, thereby eliciting an adaptive immune response.
Using the Sofusa MuVaxx lymphatic delivery system, the company intends to seek more sophisticated mRNA vaccine approaches in the future.
The microneedle system facilitates the intradermal delivery of the vaccines.
Along with an mRNA vaccine candidate, this system showed enhanced humoral immunity and increased cellular immunity using one tenth of the IM dose in animal models.
In addition, following MuVaxx administered inoculation, a four-fold rise in T cell response was seen versus IM delivery.
In August this year, Sorrento announced plans to begin a Phase I clinical trial of its oral therapy, STI-1558, for Covid-19 in China.
The move comes after the company obtained the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approval for its IND application for STI-1558.
