Vaxxas, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has bolstered its product development and strategy team with the addition of three distinguished vaccine experts as it advances its revolutionary needle-free vaccine delivery platform towards later-stage clinical trials and commercialization.
The company has appointed Dr. Emilio Emini, Dr. Nathalie Garcon, and Professor Paul Young as consultants, who will provide crucial guidance on clinical, regulatory, and manufacturing aspects. These experts, strategically positioned across the US, Europe, and Australia, will work closely with Vaxxas's chief medical officer Dr. Rochelle Chaiken and chief technology officer Dr. Angus Forster.
Strategic Expansion of Global Expertise
"Expanding our international product development expertise is a strategic priority for Vaxxas as we advance our technology towards later-stage clinical trials, large-scale manufacturing, and eventual commercialization," stated David Hoey, CEO of Vaxxas. "Our needle-free technology has the potential to transform the way life-saving vaccines are delivered globally, so it is critical to have this international representation and input."
The new appointments complement the recent addition of Dr. Charles Knirsch, who joined Vaxxas in July 2024 as a clinical and medical advisor. Dr. Knirsch brings valuable experience from his 20-year tenure at Pfizer, where he served as chief development officer of infectious diseases.
Clinical Progress and Future Directions
Vaxxas's innovative high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) technology has demonstrated promising results in clinical development. The platform has successfully completed five Phase 1 clinical trials, involving more than 500 participants. Currently, the company is conducting its first US IND-enabled Phase 1 clinical study for a pre-pandemic influenza vaccine, which includes 258 participants and is supported by funding from the United States Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
Dr. Rochelle Chaiken, Chief Medical Officer at Vaxxas, emphasized the global significance of their technology: "There is a growing unmet need to vaccinate more people across the globe. Alternative vaccination platforms like Vaxxas's patch technology can complement traditional needle and syringe delivery, helping us get more vaccines into arms to address emerging health problems."
The strengthened advisory team will play a crucial role in guiding Vaxxas's development programs and contributing to addressing global vaccination challenges. Their collective expertise spans clinical development, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing, positioning the company to accelerate the advancement of its innovative vaccine delivery platform.
