Medlab is changing the way medicines are delivered for better patient outcomes with promising early results from its latest study into a nasal COVID-19 vaccine.

Australian biotech Medlab Clinical (ASX:MDC) has announced promising results from its

NanoCelle Nasal nucleic acid (mRNA/SiRNA) COVID-19 program with two leading Australian universities.

In December 2021, Medlab received a non-repayable government grant to collaborate with the University of NSW and Macquarie University on the development of a nasal nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccine using nucleic acid.

 

Positive interim results

Laboratory work has started on the COVID-19 program with The Woolcock Institute at Macquarie University, and is awaiting the nucleic acid from UNSW to proceed further.

In the meantime, an interim report from the Woolcock Institute showing promising results.

 

And here comes the science!

Blank nanocelles (formulation free from encapsulated insulin) and insulin nanocelles were assessed for their physicochemical properties. Results showed promise for insulin nanocelles including:

  • were more well-tolerated in nasal epithelial cells
  • demonstrated higher encapsulation efficiency
  • more stable particle size and polydispersity index
  • the nasal formulation insulin nanocelles showed satisfactory droplet size

In essence, that all means that the little droplets carried the payload efficiently, without upsetting the delicate skin that you’d find inside someone’s nose.

The Woolcock Institute is now conducting experiments to confirm the viability of Insulin to metabolise glucose in a cell culture system. The experiments aim to further confirm use of the NanoCelle delivery technology, and explore the potential of NanoCelle® Insulin to become a valuable program unto itself.

Medlab said the results show the nasal delivery of a medicine, such as nucleic acid as nano-particles, is showing great promise.

The company said it was awaiting confirmation from UNSW that the nucleic acid is ready for deployment into the NanoCelle environment, and expectations of advanced program readouts are expected around November.

 

Better delivery for better outcomes

Medlab is focused on nano-particle delivery technology to enhance the effectiveness of medicine.

The trademarked NanoCelle Nasal nucleic acid is a new delivery path, adding to its existing buccal inside mouth cheek delivery path.

Medlab recently announced it had entered a trade deal with the former contract manufacturer of its patented probiotic – NRGBiotic, for patients with major depressive disorders.

The three-year trade deal is for NRGBiotic to initially enter the giant UK health pharmacy sector.

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Medlab, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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