Novochizol, a resident start-up at the BioArk Tech Park in Monthey, has announced the publication of a study in the scientific journal Pharmaceutics. The results relate to an intranasal vaccine approach against highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5, formulated using the company’s chitosan-derived delivery platform.

Highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses remain a major concern for public health, zoonotic surveillance and the poultry industry. Their ability to circulate among birds, cause severe outbreaks and, in some cases, cross the species barrier, underscores the need for new vaccine approaches.

Against this backdrop, Novochizol, a start-up based at the BioArk Tech Park in Monthey, announces the publication of a peer-reviewed study in Pharmaceutics.

The article focuses on intranasal immunisation with a modified recombinant haemagglutinin from the influenza A/H5 virus, formulated with Novochizol, a chitosan-derived delivery platform.

The aim of this approach is to stimulate an immune response in the respiratory mucosa, which is one of the main entry points for respiratory viruses. Unlike vaccines administered intramuscularly, intranasal strategies aim to enhance local protection whilst generating a systemic immune response. In the preclinical model studied, the rHA/H5-modif/Novochizol formulation induced humoral responses, including IgG and IgA antibodies, as well as cellular responses.

The study also reports complete protection of immunised animals following a lethal challenge with a highly pathogenic influenza A/H5 virus. These results are still at the preclinical stage and will need to be confirmed by further research before any clinical application can be considered.

Nevertheless, they illustrate the scientific value of delivery platforms capable of supporting the development of mucosal vaccines, particularly against emerging respiratory infections.

🔗Read the full scientific article, available as open access in Pharmaceutics

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