Imagine a tiny, high-tech delivery truck made of silicon that can sneak past a cell's security guards. Instead of the body ignoring a virus or bacteria, these micro-trucks carry the blueprints of the germ directly inside the cell. This teaches the immune system to recognize and fight the enemy more effectively, even if the germ tries to hide.
Traditional vaccines often fail against intracellular pathogens because these germs hide or block the immune system's detection pathways. There is a critical need for delivery systems that can bypass these cellular barriers to trigger a strong T cell response.
A silicon-based bio-chip delivery system. It includes standardized manufacturing methods and a universal chemistry for immobilizing viruses, parasites, and bacteria on the chips.
If you are a vaccine developer dealing with antibiotic-resistant bacteria or elusive viruses — this project developed silicon bio-chips that deliver antigens directly into cells. This allows for a faster way to scout antigen repertoires and boost T cell responses.
If you are an immunotherapy startup dealing with intracellular pathogens like malaria or tuberculosis — this project developed a standardized manufacturing method for bio-chips. This enables the rapid creation of targeted vaccines for high-impact diseases.
If you are a MEMS specialist dealing with the challenge of intracellular drug delivery — this project developed a proven bio-chip technology that remains inside cells for long periods. This provides a platform for delivering various biological payloads beyond vaccines.
Based on available project data, specific unit costs or pricing models are not provided, though the project received an EU contribution of EUR 2,997,047 for development.
The project has taken the first steps for scaling-up production by improving the chemistry for pathogen immobilization to create a unique reaction suitable for all models used.
The project has updated its patentability study and established a business plan that accounts for market barriers and competitors.
The consortium has established a new regulatory pathway as part of their updated business plan to address future market barriers.
The project period runs from 2022-04-01 to 2026-09-30, suggesting the technology is currently in the validation and refinement phase.
The consortium is research-heavy, consisting of 4 partners across 3 countries (BE, ES, FR). With 3 research organizations and only 1 SME (25% industry ratio), the project is primarily driven by academic and state research (CSIC), though the inclusion of an SME and the development of a business plan indicate a transition toward commercialization.
Contact AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for this silicon-based vaccine delivery platform.
