Biopharmaceutical company BlueWillow Biologics revealed on Wednesday the receipt of a US patent covering an intranasal NanoVax anthrax vaccine.

The patent, which has been assigned the number 10,138,279, was issued to the University of Michigan under exclusive licence to BlueWillow. It is is based on research conducted by the university demonstrating the vaccine's ability to elicit long-term protection against lethal anthrax challenge in animals.

BlueWillow's intranasal NanoVax platform employs a novel oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant that elicits both systemic and mucosal immunity, uniquely protecting against challenging respiratory infections, the company explained.

Advanced development of an intranasal NanoVax anthrax vaccine is ongoing through BlueWillow's partnership with Porton Biopharma Limited (PBL) of the UK. Phase one clinical studies are expected to begin in the second half of 2019. PBL holds a contract from NIAID, which could be worth up to USD24m over its eight-year term, if all options are exercised. The vaccine combines BlueWillow's novel intranasal adjuvant with PBL's recombinant protective antigen (rPA) for anthrax.

NIAID lists Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) as a Category A pathogen, indicating the biological agent poses the highest possible risk to national security and public health. Anthrax exposure cause severe illness and death when spores enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or cuts in the skin as well as an immense threat in bioterrorism.