Developing a new way to make influenza vaccines more effectively
Official title: Integrated and Continuous Manufacturing of an Influenza Vaccine
Funded at Michigan Technological University · NIH-10694874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to make flu vaccines using cell-based technology instead of eggs, which could help produce vaccines faster and more effectively, making them better at protecting you against changing flu viruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan Technological University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houghton, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $500,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01FD007461-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10694874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals at high risk for influenza, such as the elderly, young children, and those with compromised immune systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for influenza or who do not receive vaccinations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new manufacturing process for influenza vaccines that uses cell-based technology instead of traditional egg-based methods. By continuously producing virus-like particles (VLPs), the team aims to make the vaccine production faster and more adaptable to changing virus strains. This innovative approach could lead to lower production costs and a stronger immune response in patients. The research will involve designing and testing a novel manufacturing system that can quickly respond to influenza mutations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and affordable influenza vaccines, improving public health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using cell-based vaccines, but this specific continuous manufacturing approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heldt, Caryn — Michigan Technological University
- Study coordinator: Heldt, Caryn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Creating vaccines for influenza and other infectious diseases
This study is all about creating new vaccines to help protect people from the flu and other infections, so patients can look forward to better options for staying healthy.
-
Creating vaccines for human trials against influenza and other infectious diseases
This study is working on creating new vaccines to help protect people from flu and other infectious diseases, including those that could be used in harmful situations, so that everyone can have safer and more effective options to stay healthy.
-
Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in people and in the lab
Researchers at Stanford explore how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in people and in lab tests to improve protection for adults.
-
Surveillance and preparedness for flu and other respiratory pathogens in Kenya
A US-based research grant aims to improve how Kenya detects and prepares for influenza and other respiratory diseases to protect people there and global health.
-
Enhanced Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Targeting Shared and Variable Viral Antigens
A new DNA-based influenza vaccine approach aims to provide both precise protection against circulating strains and broader defense against unexpected strains.
-
How the immune system responds to flu shots and flu infection
This project looks at how adults' immune systems react after flu shots or when they catch the flu to find why some people get better protection than others.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.