[Edaily Reporter Kwon Oh Seok ] #QuadMedicine Inc., a company specializing in medical microneedle platforms, announced research results demonstrating the advancement of its technology for formulating immunostimulants delivered through the skin.

According to QuadMedicine Inc. on the 8th, Na Un-sung, Director of QuadMedicine Inc.’s Central Research Institute, presented research findings on transdermal vaccines utilizing Nanoalum and candidate adjuvants at the “12th International Conference on the Eradication of Viral Hepatitis (IVHEM)” held in Hiroshima, Japan, on the 4th.
In this presentation, the company presented immune response data obtained from small animal and primate trials and introduced research progress supported by actual preclinical results. The key lies in technology that goes beyond simply loading the vaccine onto a patch; it involves designing formulations so that adjuvants—substances that enhance or modulate the immune response to the vaccine—can function effectively even in a transdermal delivery environment.
One of the most common types of adjuvants is alum, which is based on aluminum salts and is used to strengthen and sustain the vaccine’s immune response.
QuadMedicine Inc. has developed a proprietary nano-alum formulation technology that micronizes this existing aluminum-based adjuvant—alum—to the nanoscale and prevents the particles from re-aggregating even after solidification. Notably, the formulation has been optimized to maintain a stable, nano-sized dispersed state while enabling its application to microneedle patches. Research has confirmed that this Nano-Alum formulation induces antibody and cellular immune responses more effectively than aggregated formulations.
According to the company, it is currently receiving a steady stream of inquiries from numerous overseas pharmaceutical companies regarding the development of microneedle patches for vaccines and is engaged in development discussions for various vaccine candidates. It was reported that, in this process, overseas pharmaceutical companies are paying close attention not only to microneedle delivery technology but also to adjuvant formulation technologies—such as NanoAlum—that support transdermal administration. Based on these preclinical results, the company plans to further refine development strategies tailored to the specific characteristics of each vaccine.
A QuadMedicine Inc. official stated, “We plan to expand our research scope to include recombinant protein vaccines, conjugate vaccines, and vaccine candidates where antigen stabilization is critical,” adding “We plan to differentiate ourselves with a transdermal vaccine platform that simultaneously designs delivery devices and adjuvant formulations while verifying formulation suitability, safety, and immune responses for each antigen. Through this, we intend to expand opportunities for joint development and global commercialization to enhance the product competitiveness of existing injectable vaccines.”