The companies have announced positive in-vivo proof-of-concept data for a powder-based intranasal vaccine candidate formulated with the AmorphOX technology.

The data was generated under the collaboration between Orexo and Abera Biosciences entered in December 2024. The aim of the collaboration is to develop mucosal vaccines by combining Orexo’s powder-based drug delivery technology AmorphOX with Abera’s innovative and patented vaccine platform BERA.

“We are pleased by these results providing us with important proof-of-concept data for a vaccine formulated in our proprietary powder-based drug delivery technology AmorphOX. The potential benefits from formulating vaccines in powder form are significant, as they can reach so many more patients worldwide. The study results represent an important milestone in our continued efforts to develop new and innovative drugs,” says Robert Rönn, SVP and Head of R&D, Orexo.

The proof-of-concept study

The proof-of-concept study was conducted in rats where Abera’s influenza vaccine candidate was administered intranasally, either formulated as a liquid nasal solution or as an intranasal powder using Orexo’s AmorphOX technology. Both formulations induced strong systemic antibody response in serum (IgG) as well as locally in the nose and lungs (IgA). No difference in immune response was seen between the liquid nasal solution and the intranasal powder.

“It is very encouraging to see that our vaccines perform well in both liquid and powder forms. Powder formulations offer significant advantages in future pandemic scenarios, particularly in terms of simplified logistics, thermal stability, and the potential for self-administration during mass vaccination campaigns. Orexo’s AmorphOX technology is an innovative platform that appears to preserve the immunogenic properties of our vaccine,” says Mats Lundgren, CSO of Abera Bioscience.