10159370First In Human Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety of MNS's Microneedle PlatformActiveLaunchpadInnovate UKMicroneedle Solutions (MNS), a Leeds-based microneedle manufacturing start-up, is pioneering a transformative approach to drug delivery through its proprietary microneedle patch platform. This project will advance the development of our novel vaccine patch technology by initiating a First-in-Human (FIH) Phase 1 clinical trial in collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The study is designed to assess the safety and tolerability of our microneedle platform, marking a key milestone towards regulatory approval and commercialisation. Microneedle patches are a next-generation alternative to traditional needle-based vaccine delivery. They offer painless, self-administrable, and thermally stable administration of therapeutics, removing the need for trained professionals or cold-chain logistics. This innovation has the potential to enhance vaccine uptake, improve patient experience, reduce healthcare burden, and significantly expand access in low-resource and remote settings. The Phase 1 clinical trial will focus on validating the safety of MNS's patch platform in healthy volunteers, laying the foundation for further vaccine specific clinical trials. Importantly, this project aligns with West Yorkshire's ambitions to drive innovation-led health technology development, strengthening the region's position as a national leader in medtech. This project demonstrates direct investment into the Leeds health innovation ecosystem. MNS will collaborate closely with academic, clinical, and commercial stakeholders across the region, ensuring that the benefits of development, knowledge sharing, and job creation are retained locally. Our close partnership with the Leeds NHS Trust ensures that the clinical research aligns with national healthcare priorities and reflects the real-world challenges of deploying new vaccine technologies. Through this funding, MNS aims to de-risk its technology for pharma partners and future investors, unlocking the commercial potential of the microneedle patch platform across a range of vaccine and therapeutic applications. The long-term goal is to develop patches capable of delivering various types of biologics---including mRNA vaccines---in a format that is more sustainable, accessible, and acceptable for global health systems. By completing this trial, MNS will be a step closer to enabling a future where life-saving vaccines can be delivered easily, safely, and equitably---without the need for needles or cold storage. This project represents a critical inflection point in the journey toward that future.