Prime Bio, Inc. (PBI) Announces Patent Award for Vaccine Technology using Tetanus Vaccine Platform in the USA (Application No. 18/060,401) and South Africa (PA180053/ZA)
Prime Bio, Inc., based in Dartmouth, MA, USA, is a leading biotechnology company focused on advancing global health solutions. The company has successfully integrated its proprietary COVID-19 vaccine technology into an established tetanus vaccine platform. This breakthrough has the potential to transform global immunization efforts by providing a more efficient, scalable, cost-effective, and safer approach to combating COVID-19 in both developed and developing regions.
Prime Bio’s innovative platform combines the proven effectiveness of tetanus vaccination with cutting-edge technology, offering a novel solution that has been awarded patents in the United States and South Africa.
Key Highlights of the Vaccine Platform Innovation
1. Unique platform and safer technology:
The present invention involves a detoxified form of whole tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT). This form can be used either alone as a protein vaccine for subcutaneous administration or in combination with neurotoxin-associated protein (NAP) for alternative delivery methods, such as oral, sublingual, or intranasal routes. This recombinant vaccine candidate—detoxified recombinant TeNT (DrTeNT) proteins—represents a significant advancement for the development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, particularly as it can be combined with immunogenic recombinant fragments of coronavirus epitopes.
Current vaccine efforts predominantly rely on whole viral proteins or DNA/RNA-based platforms, which are delivered through various vehicles such as viral vectors, nanoparticles, or lipid vesicles. However, these approaches carry the risk of eliciting dangerous immune responses, including cytokine storms, or potentially causing adverse effects through integration into the host cell genome. A key challenge with SARS-CoV-2 is its high virulence, which allows the virus to evade immune detection and infiltrate host cells. The proposed detoxified TeNT-based vaccine addresses these issues by offering a safer, more controlled immune activation, minimizing the risk of excessive immune responses.
2. First oral COVID-19 vaccine:
This is not only the world’s first protein-based oral COVID-19 vaccine, but it also introduces a groundbreaking platform for oral vaccine technology. This innovation represents a significant step forward in vaccine delivery, offering a more accessible and potentially easier-to-administer alternative to traditional injections.
3. Simplified yet highly effective technology:
By embedding the COVID-19 vaccine within a proven tetanus vaccine platform, PBI has developed a unique design and production process. This innovative approach reduces the complexity of vaccine development, enabling faster production and broader distribution, especially in regions with limited access to traditional vaccine infrastructure.
4. Dual immunity for broader protection:
The new platform offers the unique advantage of dual protection, allowing for simultaneous vaccination against both tetanus and COVID-19. This dual-immunity regimen provides critical public health benefits, particularly in areas where tetanus remains a significant threat, while also helping to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Bal Ram Singh, CEO of PBI and one of the inventors said, “This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in both vaccine technology and global health strategies. By utilizing an established tetanus immunization platform, we can provide a rapid and cost-effective solution to combat COVID-19 at a critical time when widespread vaccination is essential. Our ongoing collaboration with health authorities in the USA and other countries is a step in the right direction toward overcoming vaccination challenges with a safer, more efficient platform.”
One of the other inventors, Dr. Raj Kumar, stated, “While the vaccine technology developed by PBI’s scientists requires further validation, our preliminary investigations show that it offers several advantages over existing COVID-19 vaccine technologies. Currently, PBI, in collaboration with the Institute of Advanced Sciences, Dartmouth, MA, USA, is developing a tetanus-based oral vaccine platform for a range of other vaccines. This platform is also being used to better understand how vaccines interact with human physiology.”
PBI is committed to advancing vaccine equity globally, ensuring that innovative solutions like the tetanus-based COVID-19 vaccine reach those who need them most. The company will continue to collaborate with governments, NGOs, and international health organizations to expand access to this groundbreaking platform. PBI's goal is to support widespread immunization efforts and contribute to the global drive to end the COVID-19 pandemic while strengthening health systems in underserved regions.
Prime Bio, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative biotechnology products, including vaccines and therapeutic platforms, to address pressing global health challenges. With a robust portfolio of vaccines targeting infectious diseases and a strong commitment to equitable access, PBI aims to position itself at the forefront of public health innovation, working to improve health outcomes worldwide and ensure that life-saving treatments are accessible to all.
For Media Inquiries:
Dr. Bal Ram Singh
CEO, PBI
+1 (508) 992-2042