Delft – September 15, 2026 -- AdJane Biosciences has published a white paper outlining a strategy to add mucosal immune stimulation to existing intramuscular respiratory vaccine regimens, using its clinically validated Nm-nOMV platform derived from Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane vesicles.
AdJane targets the mucosal gap left by intramuscular respiratory vaccines
Current intramuscular respiratory vaccines induce strong systemic immunity and protect against severe disease, but generate limited protection at the respiratory mucosa, the point where pathogens first enter the body. The company's white paper, titled 'Boosting mRNA: Mucosal Immunity and a Platform Beyond It,' argues that mucosal IgA responses can reduce transmission at the point of entry, a target public health bodies are pursuing alongside severe-disease prevention.
AdJane's approach layers an intranasal Nm-nOMV booster onto existing intramuscular primary vaccination in a heterologous prime-boost design, intended to let vaccine developers retain the infrastructure and coverage of established respiratory vaccines while adding an exclusive mucosal component.
Phase I data show intranasal booster induced nasal IgA in mRNA-primed subjects
In a post-hoc subgroup of AdJane's completed Phase I trial, participants previously vaccinated with Pfizer and/or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines received a subsequent intranasal Nm-nOMV vaccine expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The booster was well tolerated and induced significant nasal IgA responses, providing initial human evidence for the heterologous systemic-prime, intranasal-mucosal-boost concept.
AdJane said further clinical studies are needed to determine the magnitude, duration and clinical relevance of the additional mucosal immune response. The company noted that limited mucosal immunity is not exclusive to mRNA vaccination but characterizes many intramuscular respiratory vaccine strategies broadly, opening potential applications beyond COVID-19 to influenza, RSV, combination respiratory vaccines and pandemic preparedness, subject to further development and clinical validation.
Patent portfolio spans platform, manufacturing and mRNA combination vaccines
AdJane has built an intellectual property portfolio covering the Nm-nOMV platform, manufacturing processes, mucosal delivery and specific vaccine applications. The company has filed separate patent applications covering combinations of its OMV technology with mRNA vaccines and respiratory vaccines.
"Innovation in respiratory vaccines can build on what has already proven itself: vaccines that protect millions of people,