28 days later to see if it generated the desired immune response.
While the data are encouraging, the path to market is tricky with flu vaccines, so NanoBio is carefully assessing its next options. It often takes thousands of patients in clinical trials to develop a new flu vaccine, so this would take years of effort, and the support of a Big Pharma partner. Trials generally need to do more than show an immune response—they need to clear a higher bar by showing that vaccinated people are actually protected after being exposed to the flu. And much of the market for flu vaccines is already well-served by injectables, although there could be room for treating elderly people who need a more robust immune defense to flu, Peralta says.
NanoBio is discussing its options with various partners, Peralta says, and also talking more about developing vaccines for other conditions. Indeed, by showing its nanoparticle formulation was safe and able to generate an immune response, the company has generated interest from partners who are interested in applying the NanoBio technology to other vaccines, possibly for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—a major cause of respiratory illness—and chronic hepatitis B, Peralta says.
It will take some time to sort out the best opportunities for the technology, as well as the right partners to provide the resources it will need, but just passing that first human test was a big milestone for the company.
“It’s very important, it’s always been viewed as one of highest priority components of our platform. It takes a long time to test for safety. It’s not a quick pathway, but if we’re successful it could have very big potential,” Peralta says.
