Most vaccinations are given during childhood and some are given more than once to make sure the protection continues - this is called a booster. The WHO recommends a minimum of 18 different injections to give protection for 7 childhood diseases. In the USA the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 25 doses for 14 separate diseases.

Removing the need for boosters could release $1billion for international vaccine programmes and significantly improve their effectiveness. Cambridge Biostability Limited is the lead partner in a consortium that is working towards development of a controlled release vaccine.

The controlled release project aims to develop a commercially viable slow release vaccine delivery technology that will eliminate the need for vaccine booster doses. By reducing the number of injections required, the project will bring significant cost savings to vaccine programmes and improve the efficacy of the disease protection. The UK has an opportunity to create a world first in this technology and the knowledge sharing activity will stimulate further developments in this field.

CBL has developed a technology for stabilising vaccines by embedding them in tiny glass microspheres, which dissolve in the body fluids after injection. It is thought that by combining proprietary nanoparticles within the microsphere, the vaccine release will be slower and the vaccine will continue to be released into the body over a longer time period so protection will be prolonged.

Cambridge Biostability Limited is a limited company registered in England & Wales with registered number 003630055 and having its registered office at Unit 184, Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0GA, UK.