Australian researchers from University of Queensland have partnered with Merck, an international vaccine manufacturer, for a new technology that gives out vaccine without needle use, a report has revealed.

The technology has been dubbed as Nanopatch and is being tried to be brought since long so as to replace needles to inject vaccine. Professor Mark Kendall and nanotechnology and bioengineering colleagues have developed the same.

It is being said that Nanopatch involves a painless skin patch and vaccine is used 100 times less as compared to a syringe. Also, the patch is smaller in size than a postage stamp. Vaxxas, an investor-backed company, has been commercializing the same; the company was founded in August 2011 in a lab of Mark Kendall at the University.

As per the report, the new technology has been chosen by Merck, the Gardasil HPV vaccine’s international distributor, amongst a total of 40 international technologies. However, the same is now closer to its official release, but some tests are to be conducted to ensure it as safe and effective.

“This link-up with Merck is especially inspiring, because it may lead to the relief of serious health problems, particularly in remote and developing regions”, said Professor Peter Høj, UQ Vice-Chancellor.