Washingtoner - Orlance, Inc. awarded RNA Vaccine Development Grant

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SEATTLE, July 10, 2024 ~ Seattle-based biotech company, Orlance, Inc., has recently been granted a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant, worth $300,000 per year for two years, will be used to develop and optimize RNA vaccine formulations using Orlance's needle-free MACH-1™ platform.

The MACH-1 platform aims to enhance the safety, stability, and efficacy of RNA vaccines for infectious diseases such as influenza and Covid-19, as well as cancer immunotherapy applications. This technology represents a significant advancement in RNA vaccine delivery compared to traditional methods.

Unlike traditional lipid nanoparticle (LNP) RNA vaccine formulations that require ultra-cold storage and have been associated with rare adverse events like myocarditis, the MACH-1 platform utilizes dry, stable RNA-coated gold microparticles. These microparticles are propelled directly into the epidermis using a burst of pressurized gas. Once they penetrate the skin's outermost layer, they are taken up by immune cells that reside there.

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This needle-free and painless delivery system not only ensures better stability at ambient temperatures but also provides significant supply chain advantages in both developed and low-resource settings. Additionally, it can significantly improve patient comfort and compliance associated with discomfort and fear of needle-based injections.

The SBIR-funded project, titled "Gene Gun-delivered RNA vaccines," will be led by Orlance Principal Investigators Hannah Frizzell, PhD and Kenneth Bagley, PhD. The team aims to optimize RNA formulations for MACH-1 gene gun delivery that maximize loading, maintain functional integrity, and ensure stability and immunogenicity. They will also compare the effectiveness of MACH-1 delivered RNA vaccines against traditional LNP/RNA vaccines in inducing immune responses in preclinical models.

Preliminary studies have shown promising results with MACH-1 delivered RNA vaccines achieving comparable immunogenicity to LNP/RNA vaccines with significantly lower doses. Orlance co-founder and CEO, Kristyn Aalto, explains that while mRNA vaccines have shown great potential in recent years, there is still significant work to be done to improve their utility and global health impact.

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The grant will enable Orlance to conduct crucial preclinical studies and pave the way for subsequent phases of development, ultimately leading to clinical trials. Aalto also mentions that Orlance already has a well-developed MACH-1 DNA vaccine candidate portfolio and offering both DNA and RNA vaccine options allows them to provide ideal solutions for specific indications.

Founded in 2016 as a spin-out from the University of Washington (UW), Orlance is focused on developing next-generation MACH-1 vaccines and cancer immunotherapies. With $13M in SBIR funding awarded to date, the company has made significant progress towards readiness for initial regulatory filings in 2024. They plan to initiate Phase I clinical trials for their lead infectious disease asset in 2025 and are actively partnering with other vaccine developers to develop MACH-1 vaccine and immunotherapy candidates across multiple indications.

Orlance's MACH-1 platform has the potential to revolutionize RNA vaccine delivery, making it safer, more stable, and more effective. With the support of NIH's SBIR grant, Orlance is one step closer to achieving their goal of improving global health through innovative genetic vaccines.

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