Personalized implantable vaccine technology for feline viral infections

Overview

This solution offers a personalized implantable vaccine (PIV) technology designed to protect cats against major feline viral infections, including feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). The approach uses a non-biodegradable silicon scaffold loaded with the host's own antigen-presenting cells that have been pulsed with inactivated virus. Once implanted subcutaneously, the device recruits immune cells, supports vascularization, and drives the development of antigen-specific cellular and humoral immunity, including CD4, CD8, and B cell responses and specific antibody production.

The technology is positioned as a prophylactic alternative to conventional vaccines, avoiding the use of adjuvants and the risk of infectivity associated with live or attenuated formulations. Because the implant is removable after approximately five to six months, it offers a controlled vaccination window that may be valuable for at-risk or immunocompromised animals.

Technical specifications

Core platform features:

• Silicon scaffold substrate: A specifically laser-modified, non-biodegradable silicon surface (SiO2, glass-type) that supports cell adhesion and provides local immunostimulation.
• Autologous antigen-presenting cells: Peripheral blood-derived APCs are pulsed in vitro with inactivated FHV1, FCV, and/or FPV before being loaded onto the scaffold.
• Adjuvant-free design: Immunity is generated through the scaffold's immunostimulatory properties and APC activation, eliminating the need for chemical adjuvants.
• Removable implant: Designed for subcutaneous placement and extraction after 5–6 months, enabling controlled duration of immune stimulation.
• Dual immune response: Demonstrated capacity to drive both cellular immunity (CD4 and CD8 responses) and humoral immunity (specific antibody production), depending on the antigen type.

Validation history:

• Validated in mouse experimental models with protein antigens, microbial antigens (Salmonella Typhimurium, M. luteus-derived peptidoglycan), and SARS-CoV-2.
• Applied to cancer immunotherapy with encouraging results.
• No reported side effects in prior animal studies.

Technology readiness level

The PIV platform has been validated across multiple antigen types in mouse models, demonstrating safety, efficacy, and the ability to generate antigen-specific immune memory. However, application to feline viruses (FHV1, FCV, FPV) is still at an early stage. The next phase involves in vitro studies to define effective antigen doses using spleen cell proliferation assays, followed by in vivo implantation studies in mice to assess antibody production over two weeks and virus-specific CD4, CD8, and B cell development at 15 days post-implantation. Commercial deployment in veterinary practice will require further validation in feline subjects.