Abstract: The present invention relates to a microneedle patch composition comprising one or more microneedles each comprising: (a) a tapered tip portion containing a therapeutically active ingredient dispersed in a matrix of a biodegradable polymer capable of providing sustained release of the therapeutically active ingredient over a period of at least two days after insertion of the microneedle or microneedles into the skin, and (b) a fast dissolving microneedle backing layer portion containing a water-soluble polymer overlayering the tip portion, said microneedle or microneedles being attached to and extending from an adhesive surface of a removable substrate.

Abstract: A composition for stabilising a vaccine in a solid dosage format is provided wherein the composition comprises an antioxidant, such as glutathione, a monosaccharide or disaccharide sugar, such as trehalose, a polyol sugar, such as sorbitol, one or more salts, such as magnesium chloride and sodium glutamate, and a vaccine. The composition may also comprise an aqueous soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). A preferred composition comprises 40 mM glutathione, 20% w/v trehalose, 3% w/v sorbitol, 5% w/v PVA, 3% w/v magnesium chloride and 3% w/v sodium glutamate. Also provided is a method of stabilising a vaccine in a solid dosage format, the method comprising drying the stabilising composition to provide the vaccine in the solid dosage format. The composition and method may be used to stabilise any suitable vaccine, such as poliovirus or adenovirus, in a solid dosage format, such as microneedle patches or wafers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for inducing a T cell mediated immune response against an influenza virus in a vertebrate, said composition comprising nucleic acid encoding one or more epitopes of one or more internal proteins of influenza virus, wherein said composition comprises nucleic acid encoding at least two said epitopes, at least one epitope being from each of two or more internal proteins of influenza virus. The invention also relates to uses of same and to methods involving same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microneedle patch composition comprising one or more microneedles each comprising: (a) a tapered tip portion containing a therapeutically active ingredient dispersed in a matrix of a biodegradable polymer capable of providing sustained release of the therapeutically active ingredient over a period of at least two days after insertion of the microneedle or microneedles into the skin, and (b) a fast dissolving microneedle backing layer portion containing a water-soluble polymer overlayering the tip portion, said microneedle or microneedles being attached to and extending from an adhesive surface of a removable substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for inducing a T cell mediated immune response against an influenza virus in a vertebrate, said composition comprising nucleic acid encoding one or more epitopes of one or more internal proteins of influenza virus, wherein said composition comprises nucleic acid encoding at least two said epitopes, at least one epitope being from each of two or more internal proteins of influenza virus. The invention also relates to uses of same and to methods involving same.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a microneedle or a microneedle array using a mould (2) having at least a needle-forming cavity which comprises the step (A) of prefilling the needle-forming cavity with a solvent (1) before applying a microneedle-forming composition (3). The solvent (1) and microneedle-forming composition (3) are allowed to mix (step E) as a result of diffusion. The solvent is removed (step F), a flexible adhesive tape (4) can be applied on top of the mould (2), (step G), lifted (step H) so as to pull the microneedles out of the mould, giving an array of drug-filled dissolvable microneedles ready for application (step I).

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for inducing a T cell mediated immune response against an influenza virus in a vertebrate, said composition comprising nucleic acid encoding one or more epitopes of one or more internal proteins of influenza virus, wherein said composition comprises nucleic acid encoding at least two said epitopes, at least one epitope being from each of two or more internal proteins of influenza virus. The invention also relates to uses of same and to methods involving same.