Novel Age-specific Vaccine Testing Platform
Vaccine development platform that demonstrates the efficacy of new vaccines by accurately modeling their age-specific human response
Background
Vaccines provide safe and effective protection from a multitude of infectious diseases. However, the need for the development of new vaccines persists. This need is most prevalent in neonates and infants whose lack of vaccination leaves them prone to deadly infections. Newly developed vaccines suffer from a low success rate in clinical trials because of preclinical testing conducted on models that provide inaccurate predictions of human immune responses.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed an effective method to model neonatal vaccine responses through the use of an in vitro microphysiologic tissue construct. This novel platform can allow analyses with human primary, untouched materials instead of animal models. It is designed to use age-specific monocytes to add greater specificity to the model. All of these factors culminate to provide researchers with a better understanding of a vaccine’s impact in neonates and beyond. The effects of adjuvant and vaccine candidates can be readily and more thoroughly tested with this technology, helping to evaluate them at a lower cost.
Further Details:
- Sanchez-Schmitz G, Levy O. Development of newborn and infant vaccines. Sci Transl Med. 2011;3(90):90ps27.
Stage of Development
Proof of concept:
Testing of this technology was confirmed using well-known and routinely prescribed newborn vaccines resulting in the production of active antigen-presenting cells and cytokine secretion patterns which are confirmed with in vivo occurrences.
Benefits
- Accurately represents the physiological functioning of human immune interactions.
- Models cellular environmental responses that are exclusive to neonates and adults.
- Demonstrates cellular reactions for specific human ages.
- Provides unique insight into the human immune response when presented with a new formulation of a vaccine or adjuvant.
- Provides greater accuracy in adjuvant and vaccine testing which decreases the time and money spent on preclinical testing.
Applications
Vaccine development platform that demonstrates the efficacy of new vaccines by accurately modeling their age-specific human response.
IP Status
