Stabilitech joins COVID-19 vaccine race, but needs funding

UK biotechnology Stabilitech is developing next-generation vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, but is now seeking an investment of £6 million (~$7.5 million) to fund clinical trials and manufacturing of an oral coronavirus vaccine,OraPro-COVID-19,  which, if approved, could be a self-administered capsule.

“Delivering a COVID-19 vaccine in the shortest time possible is only half the challenge,” said Stabilitech’s chairman, Wayne Channon, adding: “Delivering a vaccine that works is more important. COVID-19 infects the mucous membranes, or linings, of the ear, nose throat and lungs. That is why we are targeting our vaccine to hit COVID-19 where it sits – in mucosal cells. Other vaccines are currently only targeting the systemic immune system, but we know from our research that COVID -19 is a mucosal virus, therefore all vaccine developers should also be looking for a vaccine that targets both mucosal and systemic immunity. This is what OraPro- COVID-19 delivers in a single capsule.”