Novavax starts preclinical testing of intranasal influenza vaccine

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Sept. 19 - Novavax, Inc. said Tuesday that it has begun preclinical testing of intranasal versions of its influenza vaccines in development, providing a potential alternative to administering these vaccines by injection.

Historically influenza vaccines have been administered though intramuscular injection. However, the World Health Organization has been proactively seeking alternative delivery methods, the Malvern, Pa., pharmaceutical company said in a news release.

The company said it is investigating the intranasal delivery route using both the company's seasonal and pandemic virus-like particle vaccines in preclinical models.

Using its proprietary VLP technology, Novavax scientists create a particle that is nearly identical to a virus but does not have the virus's genetic material required for replication or infection. When inoculated into the body, these particles have the ability to attach to cells and trigger a natural immune response that is capable of protecting against viral infection.

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