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Moderna gets good news as it searches for life after Covid

Moderna gets good news as it searches for life after Covid

Moderna (MRNA) was one of the big beneficiaries of the Covid pandemic, producing tens of billions of dollars in vaccine sales and becoming one of the most carefully watched businesses in biotechnology. Since then, the task has been to prove that the accomplishment was not a fluke. As Covid-related ...
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MIT-Led Study Develops Adjuvant to Enhance Mucosal Immunity in Polio Vaccines

MIT-Led Study Develops Adjuvant to Enhance Mucosal Immunity in Polio Vaccines

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed an experimental adjuvant that could enhance mucosal immunity when used with injectable polio vaccines. The adjuvant, Am80, is delivered using lipid nanoparticles, allowing for a slow release that stimulates immune cells to target the mucosal lining of the intestine. This approach aims to provide the benefits of the oral polio vaccine, which induces mucosal immunity, without its associated risks. Initial tests in rats have shown promising results, with increased production of antibodies necessary for mucosal immunity.
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MIT Researchers Develop Adjuvant to Enhance Injectable Polio Vaccine's Mucosal Immunity

MIT Researchers Develop Adjuvant to Enhance Injectable Polio Vaccine's Mucosal Immunity

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new adjuvant that could enhance the mucosal immunity of the injectable polio vaccine. The injectable form of the polio vaccine is effective at preventing illness but does not block virus transmission as effectively as the oral version. The oral vaccine induces a mucosal immune response in the gastrointestinal tract, which is the primary site of virus exposure. However, due to a small risk of infection, several countries have stopped using the oral vaccine. The new adjuvant, known as Am80, is delivered with a lipid nanoparticle that releases it slowly, allowing for a sustained immune response. This approach aims to combine the safety of the injectable vaccine with the mucosal immunity benefits of the oral vaccine, potentially aiding in polio eradication efforts.
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POP Biotechnologies Receives $9.7 Million CEPI Funding for Vaccine Development

POP Biotechnologies Receives $9.7 Million CEPI Funding for Vaccine Development

POP Biotechnologies, a Buffalo-based biotech company, has secured up to $9.7 million in funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to advance its SNAP nanoparticle vaccine platform into Phase 1 clinical trials. The funding will support the development of a vaccine candidate targeting H5N1 avian influenza, leveraging the SNAP platform's ability to enhance immune responses through protein-tagging technology. This investment builds on a previous $1.5 million award from CEPI, aimed at accelerating the development of vaccines against epidemic and pandemic threats.
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Efforts to Develop Vaccine for Ebola Bundibugyo Strain Intensify

Efforts to Develop Vaccine for Ebola Bundibugyo Strain Intensify

Global vaccine non-profits are accelerating efforts to develop a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is driving the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) and Gavi have committed over $100 million to fast-track research and development of vaccine candidates. CEPI is investing $62 million in three vaccine candidates, while Gavi is contributing $40 million to create a market for a successful vaccine. The urgency stems from the strain's rapid spread and the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for Bundibugyo.
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MIT Study Suggests Injectable Polio Vaccine Could Gain Mucosal Immunity with New Adjuvant

MIT Study Suggests Injectable Polio Vaccine Could Gain Mucosal Immunity with New Adjuvant

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new approach to enhance the injectable polio vaccine by incorporating a nanoparticle-based adjuvant. This innovation aims to induce mucosal immunity, which is typically achieved through the oral polio vaccine. The oral vaccine, while effective in preventing virus transmission, carries a small risk of infection, leading some countries to discontinue its use. The MIT team, led by Ana Jaklenec, PhD, has created an injectable vaccine that includes an adjuvant derived from vitamin A, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. This formulation is designed to direct immune cells to the mucosal lining of the intestine, potentially reducing virus shedding and transmission. Initial tests in rats have shown promising results, with a significant increase in mucosal antibodies compared to the standard injectable vaccine.
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Good Days Hosts Chronic Disease Day Luncheon to Address Barriers in Healthcare Access

Good Days Hosts Chronic Disease Day Luncheon to Address Barriers in Healthcare Access

Good Days, a leading nonprofit patient assistance charity, is organizing the Chronic Disease Day Leadership Luncheon at MassBio headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Scheduled for July 10, 2026, the event aims to bring together senior biotech executives, healthcare leaders, patient advocates, and policymakers to discuss innovation, patient access, and collaboration in chronic disease care. Chronic Disease Day, observed annually on July 10, highlights the impact of chronic diseases, which account for seven out of ten deaths in the U.S. and over 90% of healthcare spending. The luncheon will focus on improving patient outcomes and expanding access to innovative therapies, with discussions on chronic disease prevention, affordability, patient support, and healthcare access.
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Massachusetts Life Sciences Employment Declines After 14 Years of Growth

Massachusetts Life Sciences Employment Declines After 14 Years of Growth

Massachusetts Life Sciences Employment Declines After 14 Years of Growth
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POP Biotechnologies Receives $9.7 Million for Vaccine Development

POP Biotechnologies Receives $9.7 Million for Vaccine Development

POP Biotechnologies Receives $9.7 Million for Vaccine Development
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Cross-Reactive T Cells Offer Hope for Broad Vaccines Against Measles and Nipah Virus

Cross-Reactive T Cells Offer Hope for Broad Vaccines Against Measles and Nipah Virus

Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that cross-reactive T cells could be key in developing broad vaccines or treatments for paramyxoviruses, including measles and Nipah virus. The study, led by Alessandro Sette, PhD, mapped human CD4+ T cell epitopes across these viruses, revealing conserved regions that could trigger immune responses against multiple paramyxovirus species. This finding suggests that instead of targeting individual viruses, vaccines could be designed to activate these cross-reactive T cells, offering protection against a wider range of viruses within the family. The research highlights the potential for new vaccine strategies that leverage existing population immunity.
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Ebola Vaccine Candidates Fast-Tracked to Combat Rare Strain in Central Africa

Ebola Vaccine Candidates Fast-Tracked to Combat Rare Strain in Central Africa

Three vaccine candidates are being expedited to address the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species in Central Africa. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is investing over $60 million in three vaccine developers, while Gavi, another vaccine nonprofit, plans to spend $40 million to purchase these vaccines once approved. The candidates include an IAVI-developed vaccine similar to the approved Ervebo, a University of Oxford vaccine using the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 approach, and an mRNA vaccine from Moderna. Despite the financial backing, it may take several months before these vaccines are available for public use due to manufacturing and testing requirements.
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Pharmaceutical Industry Faces Challenges in Achieving Enantiopurity

Pharmaceutical Industry Faces Challenges in Achieving Enantiopurity

Pharmaceutical Industry Faces Challenges in Achieving Enantiopurity