Abstract
A novel, thin-film platform that preserves live viruses, bacteria, antibodies, and enzymes without refrigeration for extended periods of time is described. Studies with recombinant adenovirus in an optimized formulation that supports recovery of live virus through 16 freeze-thaw cycles revealed that production of an amorphous solid with a glass transition above room temperature and nitrogen-hydrogen bonding between virus and film components are critical determinants of stability. Administration of live influenza virus in the optimized film by the sublingual and buccal routes induced antibody-mediated immune responses as good as or better than those achieved by intramuscular injection. This work introduces the possibility of improving global access to a variety of medicines by offering a technology capable of reducing costs of production, distribution, and supply chain maintenance.
Highlights
Vaccines have often been described as the greatest human intervention supporting global health, second only to clean drinking water [1]
A more long-term example of this effect is exemplified by the prevalence of deaths in children less than 5 years of age from rotavirus infection in India and Sub-Saharan African countries over the past decade due to their inability to access the vaccine without external subsidiaries [9]
With respect to heat stability, we have shown that a recombinant adenovirus-based vaccine can be stored at ambient temperature for a significant period of time, which is quite noteworthy (Fig. 1C)
Summary
Vaccines have often been described as the greatest human intervention supporting global health, second only to clean drinking water [1]. The vaccine requisites of developing countries have not been adequately met for a variety of reasons, including issues associated with fragile health care systems, conflict resolution, policy making, program management, financing, supply chain, and distribution across large urban areas and to the most remote locations [5]. Each of these issues contributed in some part to the delay in the distribution of experimental vaccines and therapeutics against Ebola during the 2014–2016 outbreak [6, 7]. A more long-term example of this effect is exemplified by the prevalence of deaths in children less than 5 years of age from rotavirus infection in India and Sub-Saharan African countries over the past decade due to their inability to access the vaccine without external subsidiaries [9]
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