Powdermet

PowderMed was a pioneering UK-based biotechnology company focused on the development of DNA-based vaccines using its proprietary Particle Mediated Epidermal Delivery (PMED) technology. The PMED system utilized a needle-free, handheld device to deliver DNA-coated gold microparticles directly into the epidermal layer of the skin using pressurized helium gas, effectively triggering both antibody and T-cell mediated immune responses. The company's clinical pipeline featured advanced candidates for seasonal and avian influenza, as well as programs for chronic hepatitis B, HIV, and herpes simplex virus. Founded as a spin-out from PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, PowderMed was acquired by Pfizer in 2006 to serve as the foundation for Pfizer's entry into the human vaccine market.