On Sept. 15, 2020, Vaxess Technologies and Medigen Vaccine Biologics (MBV) announced a partnership to develop a combined COVID-19 and quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (QIV), delivered via the novel MIMIX patch system.

The vaccine in development uses a stabilized form of the spike protein (S-2P) from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This immunogen was co-developed by researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the University of Texas at Austin.

The modified spike sequence provides a more stabilized version of the spike protein compared to wild-type sequences, and has shown a strong immunogenicity profile in preclinical trials. MVC aimed to enter phase I clinical trials in September of 2020, with an adjuvanted intramuscular injection of the vaccine. In parallel, Vaxess will initiate a U.S. clinical trial using the company’s MIMIX™ platform technology.