Our Technology and Products > VAXCAP™ Vaccine Delivery

VAXCAP™ is a microparticle-based vaccine delivery technology

VAXCAP targets antigens and adjuvants to cells of the immune system such as macrophages and dendritic cells, which leads to enhanced immune responses. VAXCAP polymeric microparticles are less than 10 micron in diameter with antigen inside. Antigens formulated to date include peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and cell fragments designed to prevent infectious diseases and treat other diseases such as cancer.

Advantages of VAXCAP technology

• Systemic and/or mucosal immunization
• Cellular and/or antibody immune responses
• Multiple booster vaccine with one-time dosing
• Adjuvant effect equal to Complete Freund’s Adjuvant
• Minimal or no side effects
• Regulatory approved materials

VAXCAP microparticles administration

VAXCAP microparticles can be administered parenterally or via oral, intranasal, intradermal, or other routes. Due to their size and hydrophobicity, the microparticles attract antigen presenting cells (APCs) and are taken up by these cells. When inside an APC, the antigen is released from the microparticles at a predetermined rate and processed by the APC to generate the desired immune response.

The antigen release kinetics determine whether the immune response will be an antibody response or cell-mediated response. VAXCAP can be tailored to provide delayed antigen release kinetics. Consequently a single administration can contain microparticles for the primary immune response (immediate release) and microparticles for an auto-booster(s) (delayed release).

VAXCAP vaccine technology is covered by the US patents listed below and numerous foreign equivalents. Over 450 claims have been issued in the United States.

• 6,024,983
• 5,942,252
• 5,853,763
• 5,820,883
• 5,814,344
• 5,811,128
• 5,075,109

Scanning electron micrograph of VAXCAP microparticles

Examples of VAXCAP microparticles taken up by macrophages