Researchers from McMaster University in Canada are partnering with U.S. biotech firm Rapid Dose Therapeutics to develop an oral vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Still in early development, this approach promises major advantages over injections, including easier transport and storage without refrigeration.
Building on innovations like Japanese researchers' oral cholera vaccine grown in transgenic rice, a July 7, 2021, CTV News report spotlighted this COVID-19 project. The teams are creating thin strips that dissolve in the mouth in just 11 seconds, delivering the dose directly into the bloodstream.
This method offers a user-friendly alternative for vaccines and medications, though it's still under development. Preclinical studies in animals show strong results: the strips effectively deliver proteins via buccal or sublingual routes (under the tongue), triggering a robust immune response.
These strips maintain stability up to 40°C, eliminating refrigeration needs—unlike some vaccines requiring storage between -15°C and -80°C, which create logistical hurdles. This could simplify worldwide distribution dramatically.
Many regions in hot climates lack reliable cold-chain infrastructure, slowing vaccination efforts. An oral strip vaccine would bypass these issues, slashing costs by avoiding vials, syringes, and specialized staff.
The project now advances to phase two: testing viral molecules via strips to gauge immune responses. Looking ahead, experts envision this technology for booster doses and combating diseases like influenza or dengue fever.
