Half of vaccines are binned - 'fridge-free' versions could change that

Vaccines that typically require refrigeration or freezing have been successfully transformed into fridge-free versions by UK scientists. According to the current system, around 50% of vaccines are wasted annually due to improper storage conditions. In a clinical trial involving 60 patients, Stablepharma converted a liquid tetanus-diphtheria vaccine into a dry powder, allowing it to remain functional at room temperature for a year before being mixed with water and injected.

This innovation, inspired by resurrection plants, employs trehalose to stabilize the vaccine's components and prevent damage from extreme temperatures. The trial demonstrated that the vaccine maintained an equivalent immune response to the conventional version and was safe and well-tolerated. The next phase of testing will involve 160 participants, aiming to meet the World Health Organization's goal of a vaccine capable of surviving at 30°C and 75% relative humidity.

While current mRNA vaccines cannot be adapted using this method, many existing vaccines and certain medicines, like monoclonal antibodies, could benefit from this approach. The research, published in eClinicalMedicine, has the potential to significantly improve global access to life-saving vaccines, especially in remote or war-torn regions where maintaining the cold chain is challenging.