Atlanta-based Micron Biomedical is advancing its revolutionary needle-free vaccine technology with significant financial backing, positioning the company to potentially transform global vaccine delivery and accessibility.
The life science company recently secured a $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing its total grant funding from the organization to $43 million. This latest funding will support manufacturing scale-up efforts and activities for a Phase 2 trial of its measles-rubella (MR) vaccine in infants.
Innovative Microarray Technology
Micron's proprietary technology uses dissolvable microarray compounds that are painlessly pressed into the topmost skin layers. The button-like device delivers vaccines that would traditionally require injection, eliminating the need for needles while maintaining efficacy.
"The continued funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to aid our work to increase access to the MR vaccine has been pivotal in Micron Biomedical's progress toward making lifesaving and life-changing life science innovations more available and accessible," said Steven Damon, CEO of Micron Biomedical.
The technology addresses several critical barriers to global vaccine distribution. It reduces or eliminates cold chain requirements, enables administration by non-clinicians, and provides a virtually painless experience that could increase vaccine acceptance.
Promising Clinical Results
A study recently published in The Lancet demonstrated the safety, immunogenicity, and acceptability of Micron's needle-free microarray technology in children as young as 9 months old. This marked the first successful demonstration of any needle-free microarray technology for vaccine delivery in this age group.
The clinical trial used the leading commercially available MR vaccine and showed immune responses comparable to traditional injection methods. Another study found similar results for a seasonal flu vaccine that could be self-administered by participants.
Addressing Global Health Challenges
Measles remains a serious global health risk that kills an estimated three children per 1,000 who contract the disease, with disproportionate impact in areas with limited access to vaccines. According to the World Health Organization, children should be vaccinated against measles between 9-12 months and again between 15-18 months.
However, infrastructure-related barriers prevent millions globally from accessing these life-saving vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where refrigeration, transportation, and qualified clinicians may be scarce.
"Novel viral threats unfortunately have an advantage over susceptible populations today, in part because conventional vaccines take too long to develop, are too hard to distribute and require too many resources to administer," explained Damon. "Micron Biomedical's goal is to change that by overcoming the most pressing barriers to vaccine and therapeutic access."
Additional Funding and Partnerships
Beyond the Gates Foundation support, Micron has secured additional funding from various sources. The company recently received $3.7 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop needle-free vaccines against Disease X, focusing on pandemic preparedness.
This CEPI grant will enable research combining Micron's technology with a rapid-response vaccine platform developed by CastleVax. The platform uses the Newcastle disease virus to create adaptable vaccines for emerging threats, with initial research targeting COVID-19.
Dr. Raafat Fahim, Acting Executive Director of Vaccine Manufacturing and Supply Chain at CEPI, praised the potential of the technology: "Micron Biomedical's button-like technology is a very promising innovation in vaccine delivery and could pave the way for quick, easy and equitable vaccination when responding to future infectious disease outbreaks."
Micron also announced that it has raised over $33 million in Series A equity funding, with the latest round led by J2 Ventures and the Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC).
Future Applications and Impact
The technology's potential extends beyond improving access in low-resource settings. Evidence suggests that patient reluctance to receive injectable medicine can lead to delayed therapy, treatment avoidance, and vaccine hesitancy even in higher-income countries.
Micron's needle-free delivery system could also prove valuable in applications requiring rapid medical attention, such as national security events, military operations, and outbreak responses.
David Robinson, Deputy Director of Vaccine Development & Surveillance at the Gates Foundation, has joined Micron Biomedical's board as an observer to support the accelerated commercialization of the technology.
As Micron Biomedical advances toward commercialization, its innovative approach could help overcome significant barriers to global health equity by making critical vaccines and therapeutics more accessible worldwide.
