iosBio believes that thermally stable, self-administered vaccines in capsule form are the future. Due to its OraPro™ platform, these are inexpensive to produce, developed in weeks and, following regulatory approval, can be distributed by mail.
iosBio is using this approach to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic, developing a capsule-based vaccine that could be easily distributed to millions across the globe. This comes after successfully working on an oral vaccine for the Zika virus.
iosBio’s OraPro™ technology means these thermally stable viral vector-based vaccines can be delivered in capsule form to the GI tract. Viral vectors result in vaccines being developed cheaply and quickly, while administration via the gut elicits both mucosal and systemic immunity and allows for repeated administration of the same vector. In contrast, injected viral vector injections only target systemic immunity and can be used just once or twice as immunity to the vector itself is developed.
This is made possible by iosBio’s THERM-SB technology. It allows for the storage of vaccines and viruses in powder form at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for a cold chain to protect vaccines and other biotherapeutics when being delivered and in storage.
Adopting this method can redefine the global approach to virus immunity. It will reduce our current reliance on often impractical mass vaccination programmes. These are based on injections that require huge numbers of healthcare professionals and expensive global cold-chains or even a -80⁰C cryo-chain.
Through a combination of THERM-SB and OraPro™, iosBio is making its vision for an oral vaccine future a reality.
