GC Corp. said Thursday that its patch-type influenza vaccine MIMIX-Flu, a co-development item with U.S. Vaxess Technologies, proved safety and immunogenicity in a phase 1 trial.

MIMIX-Flu is a device that combines GC's influenza vaccine antigen with Vaxess's patch-based subcutaneous drug delivery technology. It controls the drug delivery speed and time properly with a microneedle that can slowly inject the drug from the patch with little pain.  

The trial was on healthy adults aged 18 to 39, evaluating the drug's safety, response, tolerance, and immunogenicity compared to the placebo group.

Fifty-seven days after the vaccination, the antibody-positive rates of the two doses (15ug/7.5ug) were 85 percent and 77 percent, respectively, and the antibody protection rates were 92 percent. The figures highly exceeded FDA's influenza vaccine permission standard set in 2007.

The researchers plan to continue observation for 180 days for long-term safety evaluation of the patch. 

"The significant initial results of collaboration with GC's safe and effective influenza vaccine and MIMIX patch will positively affect the patients, overcoming problems such as needle phobia and injection pain," said Michael Schrader, CEO of Vaxess.