The BARDA Vaccine Innovation Forum is a prestigious event hosted by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to celebrate and announce the winner of the Patch Forward Prize for the concept stage of the mRNA vaccine microarray patches (MAPs) innovation competition. This forum brought together hundreds of researchers, developers, policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives from government and nonprofit organizations to spotlight advancements in vaccine delivery technologies utilizing MAPs. The event took place on January 13, 2025, in San Francisco, California.
Beyond BARDA, this groundbreaking technology has received strong support from leading global organizations, including the Gates Foundation, WHO, PATH, GAVI, UNICEF, and VIPS, which also attended the event. Several key advantages make microarray patches a transformative innovation in vaccine delivery:
- Reduce the risk of needle-related hazards.
- Require minimal training for administration and have the potential for self-administration in the future.
- Painless and easy to use.
- Lower cold chain logistics costs due to improved stability.
- Reduce medical waste.
- Enable dose-sparing effects.
We were honored to participate in this influential gathering, showcasing our progress and expertise in the development of mRNA vaccine MAPs to a diverse audience from around the world. We remain steadfast in our mission to create a world where healthcare is delivered with “Cure Without Fear.”