Bilex Pharma today announced a significant advancement in its vaccine technology platform, achieving enhanced thermostability for its mRNA vaccine formulations. This breakthrough has the potential to dramatically reduce the reliance on complex ultra-cold chain logistics, a major step towards improving global vaccine access and equity, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Overcoming the Cold Chain Challenge
Many advanced vaccines, particularly those utilising mRNA technology, traditionally require storage and transport at ultra-low temperatures (down to -80°C). Maintaining this “ultra-cold chain” presents significant logistical and financial challenges, requiring specialized equipment, continuous power supply, and rigorous monitoring, often limiting vaccine deployment in areas with less developed infrastructure.
Bilex Pharma’s research teams have successfully developed novel formulation strategies within their proprietary BiLipid™ delivery system that significantly improve the temperature resilience of their mRNA vaccine candidates.
Key Achievements:
- Extended Stability at Higher Temperatures: Rigorous testing has demonstrated that Bilex Pharma’s enhanced formulations maintain structural integrity and vaccine potency for extended periods at standard refrigerator temperatures (2-8°C), far exceeding the stability profiles of many first-generation mRNA vaccines.
- Improved Resilience to Temperature Fluctuations: The new formulations exhibit greater tolerance to short-term deviations from ideal storage conditions, a crucial factor for real-world distribution challenges.
- Compatibility with Advanced Platforms: These stability enhancements have been shown to be compatible with both conventional mRNA and the company’s SAMplify™ self-amplifying mRNA platform, broadening the potential impact across the pipeline.
“Addressing the cold chain barrier has been a primary focus of our formulation science efforts,” said Dr. Eleanor Harrington, Chief Scientific Officer at Bilex Pharma. “This breakthrough is not just an incremental improvement; it represents a fundamental step towards making advanced vaccine technologies practical for truly global deployment. It builds directly on the innovations previously highlighted in our Nature Biotechnology publication.”
Transforming Global Vaccine Distribution
The implications of this technological advancement are profound:
- Enhanced Global Health Equity: Simplifies vaccine distribution and storage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), enabling easier access for remote and underserved populations.
- Reduced Logistical Burden & Costs: Lowers the need for expensive ultra-cold freezers and specialized transport, reducing overall vaccination program costs.
- Strengthened Pandemic Preparedness: Allows for faster and broader vaccine deployment during public health emergencies, unhindered by complex cold chain requirements.
- Improved Vaccine Administration: Facilitates easier handling at vaccination sites, potentially reducing wastage and simplifying administration campaigns.
“This technological leap directly supports Bilex Pharma’s core mission: developing innovative vaccines that are not only effective but also accessible,” stated Dr. Andras Ottlik, CEO of Bilex Pharma. “Solving the thermostability challenge is critical for ensuring that the benefits of cutting-edge vaccine science can reach communities everywhere, regardless of existing infrastructure.”
Dr. Robert Jenkins, Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations, added: “From a manufacturing and supply chain perspective, this is transformative. It allows for more conventional storage and transport methods, streamlining operations from our production facilities right through to the final point of use.”
Integration into the Pipeline and Future Directions
Bilex Pharma is actively working to incorporate these enhanced thermostability features into its clinical-stage vaccine candidates, including those within its Project RESPOND (pandemic preparedness) and Project SHIELD (respiratory viruses) initiatives. This technology is particularly relevant for candidates like BLX-NIPAH01, designed for potential use in outbreak settings where robust logistics may be challenging.
The company’s research continues to push the boundaries further, exploring next-generation formulations aiming for even greater stability, potentially including ambient temperature storage for defined periods.
Commitment to Innovation for Impact
This breakthrough in thermostability underscores Bilex Pharma’s commitment to continuous innovation across all aspects of vaccine development – from antigen design to delivery technology and manufacturing. By addressing practical barriers like the cold chain, Bilex Pharma aims to ensure its scientific advancements translate into meaningful improvements in global public health.
About Bilex Pharma
Bilex Pharma is a UK-based biotechnology company dedicated to advancing human health through groundbreaking research and innovative vaccine development. Our mission is to protect communities worldwide by combating infectious diseases and emerging health threats with safe, effective, and accessible vaccines, leveraging cutting-edge platforms including mRNA, viral vectors, and advanced adjuvant systems.