Non-invasive Biopharmaceutical/Vaccine Delivery Systems and Formulation Strategies

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Pharmacy and Formulation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2023) | Viewed by 4235

Special Issue Editors

Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Donadeo Innovation Center for Engineering, 13-281, 9211-116 St., Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
Interests: drug delivery; drug/vaccine formulation; personal protective equipment; antimicrobial technology
1. Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul 02447, Korea
2. Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
Interests: virus-like particle vaccines and other vaccine formulations against respiratory virus and parasite infections; vaccine delivery
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a serious threat to global health and provided invaluable lessons moving forward. Some of the major concerns and challenges associated with the pandemic management have been identified: 1) cold-chain transportation/storage/distribution, 2) the limited shelf life/thermal stability of vaccines, and 3) needle-based administration of vaccines by healthcare providers. Consequently, research on innovative biopharmaceuticals, including vaccine technology, has gained remarkable attention as a means of addressing the issues, possessing the potential to improve our preparedness for future pandemics and the development of highly effective biologic therapies.

This Special Issue focuses on developing a universally applicable, efficient, and non-invasive biopharmaceutical/vaccine delivery system and formulations. The extensive potential of highly effective, long-term, thermally stable, liquid or solid-type drugs arises from their dose-sparing effect, the ability to stockpile, the lack of any need for cold-chain storage/transportation, and self-administration. With the continued risk of COVID-19, we consider the present to be an appropriate time to evaluate what has been achieved in relevant fields so far and propose a research agenda for many years to come.

This Special Issue should be of immediate interest to a diverse readership, including those interested in non-invasive drug/vaccine technology for a wide range of biopharmaceuticals (i.e., genes, peptides, proteins, virus, cells, etc.).

For the purpose of this Special Issue, the submission of any original research articles and reviews on non-invasive biopharmaceuticals/vaccines (oral, transdermal, and intranasal) will be highly appreciated. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following: drug/vaccine manufacturing, stability, formulation, administration routes, delivery system, and dose-sparing technology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Hyo-Jick Choi
Prof. Dr. Fu-Shi Quan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biopharmaceutical/vaccine delivery
  • biopharmaeutical/vaccine formulation
  • vaccine development
  • transdermal delivery
  • intranasal delivery
  • oral delivery
  • long-term thermal stability
  • self-administration
  • cold-chain free
  • solid biopharmaceutical/vaccine

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 8721 KiB  
Article
Virus-like Particle Vaccine Expressing the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pre-Fusion and G Proteins Confers Protection against RSV Challenge Infection
by Su-Hwa Lee, Ki-Back Chu, Min-Ju Kim, Jie Mao, Gi-Deok Eom, Keon-Woong Yoon, Md Atique Ahmed and Fu-Shi Quan
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(3), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030782 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2203
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in children and the elderly. However, there are no effective antiviral drugs or licensed vaccines available for RSV infection. Here, RSV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines expressing Pre-F, G, or Pre-F and G proteins [...] Read more.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in children and the elderly. However, there are no effective antiviral drugs or licensed vaccines available for RSV infection. Here, RSV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines expressing Pre-F, G, or Pre-F and G proteins on the surface of influenza virus matrix protein 1 (M1) were produced using the baculovirus expression system, and their protective efficacy was evaluated in mice. The morphology and successful assembly of VLPs were confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Western blot. High levels of serum IgG antibody response were detected in VLP-immunized mice, and significantly higher levels of IgG2a and IgG2b were found in the Pre-F+G VLP immunization group compared to the unimmunized control. Serum-neutralizing activity was higher in the VLP immunization groups compared to the naïve group, with Pre-F+G VLPs demonstrating superior neutralizing activity to the single antigen-expressing VLP groups. Pulmonary IgA and IgG responses were generally comparable across the immunization groups, with VLPs expressing the Pre-F antigen eliciting higher IFN-γ in spleens. The frequencies of eosinophils and IL-4-producing CD4+ T cell populations were substantially lower in the lungs of VLP-immunized mice, with the PreF+G vaccine inducing a significant increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. VLP immunization significantly decreased the viral titer and inflammation in the lungs of mice, with Pre-F+G VLPs conferring the best protection. In conclusion, our present study suggests that the Pre-F+G VLPs could be a potential vaccine candidate against RSV infection. Full article
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Review

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39 pages, 2743 KiB  
Review
Non-Invasive Vaccines: Challenges in Formulation and Vaccine Adjuvants
by Sumin Han, Panjae Lee and Hyo-Jick Choi
Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082114 - 09 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1251
Abstract
Given the limitations of conventional invasive vaccines, such as the requirement for a cold chain system and trained personnel, needle-based injuries, and limited immunogenicity, non-invasive vaccines have gained significant attention. Although numerous approaches for formulating and administrating non-invasive vaccines have emerged, each of [...] Read more.
Given the limitations of conventional invasive vaccines, such as the requirement for a cold chain system and trained personnel, needle-based injuries, and limited immunogenicity, non-invasive vaccines have gained significant attention. Although numerous approaches for formulating and administrating non-invasive vaccines have emerged, each of them faces its own challenges associated with vaccine bioavailability, toxicity, and other issues. To overcome such limitations, researchers have created novel supplementary materials and delivery systems. The goal of this review article is to provide vaccine formulation researchers with the most up-to-date information on vaccine formulation and the immunological mechanisms available, to identify the technical challenges associated with the commercialization of non-invasive vaccines, and to guide future research and development efforts. Full article
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