Transcutaneous Immunization Possible with Vaccine Delivery Preparation Patch

A needle-free patch concept delivery method and application prototype promises to make vaccine self-application possible for the first time.

Transcutaneous vaccination technology (TCI), developed by Intercell (Vienna, Austria) effectively stimulates the body's immune system by delivering adjuvants at the surface of the skin to the Langerhans cells, a major component of the immune system. The activated Langerhans cells then take in the vaccine antigen and migrate to the regional draining lymph nodes. There, presentation to the immune system occurs, eliciting a robust immune response. However, there remained the challenge of preparing the skin to effectively accept the vaccine, since gaining access to the Langerhans cells requires scraping off some of the keratinized epithelium. To solve this problem, the company approached IDEO (Palo alto, CA, USA), an international design and consulting firm, to develop a viable method of applying the needle-free vaccine delivery patch.


The resulting design is a working model of a concept device meant to ensure consistent application across a range of users. The device developed is similar to a band-aid with a bull's eye mark, and an attached tab. Pressing at the center and pulling the tab draws an abrasive strip across the skin, at the same time leaving an ink mark to show where the vaccine patch should be placed. The application device and patch are made using standard processes and materials, so that they can be easily manufactured in developing countries. The patch is shelf stable and has the potential to be sent through the mail and self applied, enabling optimal delivery for pandemic vaccination and large-scale vaccination in emerging economies.

TCI takes advantage of the high density of Langerhans cells in the epidermis to activate an amplified immune response; also, since TCI does not involve systemic exposure, more potent immune stimulants can be used. These factors, in addition to it being needle-less, make TCI an appealing option since less vaccine is needed for an equal immune response. Additionally, having the vaccine in a dry patch form also allows it to last much longer without refrigeration.

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