Designing a nasally administered universal influenza
Time of action: UNIVERSAL VACCINE started
in June 2005
EU budget (funding): € 1.2 million
One of the biggest challenges concerning influenza vaccination
is trying to keep up with the virus' mutational variation.
The currently approved vaccines work by stimulating the body's
immunity against the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins
on the virus' surface. As these proteins are prone to mutation,
vaccines only induce immunity against specific subtypes of
However, the influenza virus has a third protein in its outer
coat, M2, and the extracellular domain of this protein, M2e,
has been remarkably conserved in the amino acid sequence since
human influenza virus was first isolated in 1933. If this
protein could stimulate an adequate immune response it might
be possible to develop a broad-spectrum vaccine against all
influenza A subtypes.
Previous research has shown that when the extracellular domain
of M2 (M2e) is linked to appropriate carrier particles, such
as the hepatitis B virus core, it becomes highly immunogenic,
inducing antibodies that fully protect mice against a potentially
lethal influenza infection. Swedish biotech company Arexis
AB has teamed up with researchers at the Flanders Interuniversity
Institute for Biotechnology in Ghent (BE), who initially worked
on the M2 protein, and a number of European SMEs and the University
of Goteburg to develop what could become the first universal
vaccine for influenza. It could provide life-long immunity
against the virus and thus provide far greater protection
in the event of a pandemic. It may even help to eradicate
the disease in humans.
Another feature of this vaccine is its nasal administration.
For respiratory diseases like influenza it is beneficial to
bring the vaccine to where it is most needed to stimulate
a local immune response and nasal vaccination may help to
induce stronger or more lasting immunity in recipients. Furthermore,
needle-free nasal sprays are safer and easier to administer,
reduce the risk of contamination – and are far less
likely to deter people from participating in vaccination programmes.
The unique combination of the three SMEs for the rational
design of a mucosal influenza vaccine is unprecedented in
European vaccine research. If the universal vaccine proves
successful in clinical trials it will not only help to diminish
the social and economic costs of influenza, but also secure
the growth and development of the European vaccine industry
in the global market.
Status (January 2006)
The project has only just started so is in a preliminary stage.
Dr Björn Löwenadler