Fund has granted 6.2 million Danish kroner for a research aiming to develop novel mRNA vaccines

Existing mRNA vaccines provide effective protection against disease and death but are less effective against infection and onward transmission. This is due to a lack of protective immune response in the upper respiratory tract following intramuscular administration of the vaccines. There is an international focus on improving vaccines by administration through alternative routes, such as directly across mucous membranes.

The current project takes advantage of the fact that the tissue under the mucous membranes in the mouth is immunologically active, which means that delivering an mRNA vaccine here can induce a protective immune response in the upper respiratory tract. Microneedles containing the mRNA vaccine can be applied directly to the inside of the cheek and deliver the vaccine across the mucous membrane with light pressure. Additionally, the microneedles can be designed to combine with molecules that attract the right immune cells to the injection site, which can enhance the immune response.

Delivery systems and nanoparticles

At SSI, the Center for Vaccine Research is working on the design of delivery systems (nanoparticles) for mRNA vaccines that ensure the mRNA is encapsulated. In addition, the immune system is specifically activated towards the disease vaccinated against. By adding specific signaling molecules from viruses and bacteria to the nanoparticles, researchers can tailor the immune system to elicit certain immune responses.

Signe Tandrup Schmidt, a researcher in the development of nanoparticles for vaccines, explains:

“mRNA is a fragile molecule that easily degrades if not properly protected and delivered directly to the right cells. Our partners from DTU are developing the microneedles, while we develop the nanoparticles that the mRNA is encapsulated in. The nanoparticles consist of various lipids that we can tailor to optimize the immune system’s response to the vaccine.”

The project will be carried out in collaboration with Professor Stephan Sylvest Keller from DTU Nanolab and Associate Professor Line Hagner Nielsen from DTU Health Tech, who will oversee the development of the microneedles and test their buccal delivery efficacy. At SSI, Section Leader Gabriel Kristian Pedersen and researcher Signe Tandrup Schmidt from the Center for Vaccine Research will design novel mRNA vaccines suitable for delivery via microneedles, as well as test the vaccines’ ability to induce immune responses in the upper respiratory tract in animal models. This interdisciplinary collaboration among different research areas creates a unique synergy in the development of new vaccines.

• The Danish Independent Research Fund – Press release