Sanofi Pasteur files European MAA for intradermal microinjection system

Sanofi Pasteur has announced the filing of a European marketing authorisation application (MAA) for the use of its intradermal (ID) microinjection system to deliver influenza vaccines.

The European Medicines Agency has accepted the file for review which is based on clinical trials of the system on over 7,000 adult and elderly patients.

Study results found that the ID vaccine generated a superior level of seroprotective immune response against all tested influenza strains compared with the standard intramuscular vaccination.

Vaccinating using the ID system involves the introduction of the vaccine into the dermal layer of the skin which provides more direct access to the immune system because of the high concentration of specialised immune cells in this skin layer.

In addition, Sanofi Pasteur notes that the microinjection system overcomes the previous technical difficulties associated with this type of administration

“Seasonal influenza vaccination rates still remain relatively low in certain age-groups – the use of a new, easy-to-use and less invasive vaccine may support higher vaccination rates,” said Dr Isabel Leroux-Roels, clinical researcher at the Ghent Centre for Vaccinology in Belgium.

Last month, Sanofi Pasteur and Crucell announced an agreement to develop Crucell’s rabies monoclonal antibodies.