# Development of an improved intranasal vaccine against influenza

> **NIH NIH R41** · NAJIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2022 · $275,107

## Abstract

Despite the development of several types of influenza vaccines (live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit), the World
Health Organization estimates that seasonal influenza is still responsible for 3-5 million cases of severe disease
and 290,000-650,000 deaths each year. Although vaccination programs have helped to reduce the morbidity
and mortality associated with seasonal influenza, current vaccine approaches are limited by poor vaccine-
mediated immunity and low vaccination coverage. To overcome suboptimal immune responses to influenza
vaccination, we have developed an advanced hydrogen peroxide-based, site-directed oxidation technology that
renders viruses fully inactivated while preserving protective structures/epitopes on the virus surface including
fully maintained HA (hemagglutinin) activity. Our preliminary data shows that immunization of mice with our 1st-
generation peroxide-inactivated vaccine by either the subcutaneous, transcutaneous, or intranasal routes of
administration leads to full protection against lethal influenza challenge. In these proposed studies, we describe
our 2nd-generation HydroVax platform technology and the approaches that we will take to further optimize vaccine
potency following intranasal vaccination. By improving the structural integrity of the vaccine antigen, coupled
with the ease and acceptability of an intranasal route of administration, we hope to improve both vaccine potency
and vaccination coverage that together, will greatly reduce the impact of seasonal influenza among vulnerable
populations including infants and the elderly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10546098
- **Project number:** 1R41AI167146-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** NAJIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Ian James Amanna
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $275,107
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10546098

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10546098, Development of an improved intranasal vaccine against influenza (1R41AI167146-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10546098. Licensed CC0.

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