What comes next
The team is testing self-boosting polio and hepatitis vaccines in non-human primates. A small trial in healthy humans might follow within the next few years.
“We think that there’s really high potential for this technology, and we hope it can be developed and get to the human phase very soon,” says Dr. Jaklenec.
In smaller animal models, they are exploring the potential of self-boosting mRNA vaccines. They’re also working with scientists who are studying HIV vaccines.
“There has been some recent progress where very complex regimens seem to be working, but they’re not practical,” says Dr. Jaklenec. “And so, this is where this particular technology could be useful, because you have to prime and boost with different things, and this allows you to do that.”
This system could also extend beyond vaccines and be used to deliver cancer therapies, hormones, and biologics in a shot.
Through new work with researchers at Georgia Tech University, the team will study the potential of giving self-boosting vaccines through 3D-printed microneedles. These vaccines, which would stick on your skin like a bandage, could be self-administered and deployed globally in response to local outbreaks.
A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.