Developing a smart-patch vaccine to measure effectiveness

Researchers at Swansea University are developing the world’s first smart vaccine device that will both deliver the COVID-19 vaccine and measure its efficacy through monitoring the body’s associated response.

The research, from the Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT), will produce the vaccine through the use of microneedles to create a smartpatch. This device will simultaneously measure a patient’s inflammatory response to the vaccination by monitoring biomarkers in the skin.

Microneedles are tiny needles (their tips are measured in millionths of a metre) designed to break the skin barrier and deliver medicines in a minimally invasive manner. A classic example is the transdermal nicotine patch that delivers nicotine through skin to help people give up smoking.

They provide a safe and effective method to deliver vaccines with added attributes of requiring lower vaccine doses, permitting low-cost manufacturing, and enabling simple distribution and administration. A microneedle delivery patch is easy to apply and minimally invasive, so combined with the proposed measurement capabilities, this new vaccine system would enable a personalised vaccination approach. The project will be led by a team of researchers with expertise in the use of microneedle arrays for transdermal therapeutic drug delivery and diagnostic applications. The team will build on these distinct technologies by developing the first dual functionality microneedle-based COVID-19 smart-patch, capable of delivering a vaccine and measuring the immune response in the form of protein biomarkers, thus establishing the efficacy of vaccination.

Dr Sharma, the project lead at Swansea University, explains:“Skin vaccination using microneedles has been described as a superior immunisation approach due to its potential to overcome immune tolerance observed in pregnancy, and lower vaccination costs through antigen dose-sparing, which is especially relevant in underserved countries.

“The primary goal of this project is to create a prototype smart vaccine delivery device which can not only deliver the COVID-19 vaccine transdermally, but also monitor biomarkers in the skin compartment in a minimally invasive way, offering real-time information on the efficacy of the vaccination. The new method would change the way in which vaccine efficacy trials are performed from a statistical assessment to a scientific measurement of patient inflammatory response to vaccination. “The real-time nature of the platform will mean rapid results, allowing faster containment of the COVID-19 virus. This low-cost vaccine administration device will ensure a safe return to work and management of subsequent outbreak waves. Beyond the pandemic, the scope of this work could be expanded to apply to other infectious diseases, as the nature of the platform allows for quick adaptation to different infectious diseases.

“We are currently getting the platform ready and we hope to do human clinical studies on transdermal delivery with our existing partners at Imperial College London, in preparation for final implementation.”

A team led by Professor Nikolaj Gadegaard at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering has developed an injection-moulding process to enable large-scale production of the microneedle smart patches. They expect to produce many thousands of patches to help support Dr Sharma’s research and allow the clinical studies to progress.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government Sêr Cymru funding programme. The IMPACT operation is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and Swansea University.

“Measuring vaccine efficacy is extremely important, as it indicates the protective effects of vaccination on an individual via the level of reduction of infection risk in a vaccinated person relative to that of a susceptible, unvaccinated individual. This measure of vaccination effectiveness will address an unmet clinical need and would provide an innovative approach to vaccine development.”

Dr Sanjiv Sharma Swansea University

Online programme to equip healthcare workers for the genomics revolution

Medics.Academy has collaborated with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to launch Nucleus, a new online programme to future proof the medical workforce for the genomics generation.

Two decades on since the human genome was first sequenced, routine integration of genomics is poised to play an integral part in everyday healthcare. From individualised medicine, to the rapid expansion of translational biomedical research, an understanding of genomics is now an essential piece of any health worker’s armoury.

Nucleus will fulfil an unmet clinical and educational need, bringing the face-to-face training delivered by world-leading experts at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust onto an innovative educational platform. By providing greater accessibility through high quality digital content, the widest possible cohort of health professionals will improve their competencies in the field of genomics.

Healthcare professionals often have varying levels of experience in utilising genomics to guide patient management and interpreting the results of genomic investigations. Nucleus will not only provide a foundation in the biological underpinnings of such analyses, but also cover the crucial psychosocial skills required to counsel patients for specific tests.

Dr Toby Garrood, Clinical Director for Specialist Ambulatory Services at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Rapid advances in technology and understanding mean genomics is more relevant than ever before. As genomics increasingly becomes a part of mainstream NHS care, all healthcare professionals need to have a good understanding of its relevance and potential to impact the diagnosis, treatment and management of people being cared for. At Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the genomics revolution, as evidenced by our lead role in delivering the 100,000 Genomes Project in South London and our contribution to the ‘Genome UK: the future of healthcare’ 2020 publication setting out the UK strategy for genomics.”

Starting with a focus on cancer genomics, Nucleus provides an interactive, CPD accredited learning platform for forward-thinking professionals. Its virtual nature means it can rapidly iterate in response to the expanding nature of genomic knowledge, allowing members of the community to tailor their educational needs, learning at their own pace anytime, anywhere.

In the long term, Medics.Academy will also be working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to foster a community of healthcare professionals who will become the thought leaders of this genomic generation. Learners will have access to world-leading experts in genomics at their fingertips, as well as a community of like-minded professionals with which to share best practice, ask questions and continue their professional development.

More than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of remote learning to the fore, prompting educators to rapidly adapt to the demands of the learner. It has also highlighted the crucial role genomics plays in protecting our society. Novel vaccines have been created from the implementation of mRNA techniques, while rapid surveillance of new viral variants has been made possible by huge sequencing efforts from collaborations like the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium.

“We are proud to be collaborating with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on such an important programme of learning. Nucleus will allow members of all healthcare professions to upskill their knowledge of genomics to directly benefit patients in communities worldwide.”

Dr Emma Cox Chief Product Officer Medics.Academy