NEWS
Fridge-free vaccine lasts for two years
The world-first trial of a fridge-free tetanus-diphtheria vaccine has produced encouraging results that could improve access worldwide to crucial treatments, while reducing carbon emissions. Around half of vaccines are wasted
globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. Fridge-free vaccines have the potential to transform vaccine delivery by reducing the dependence on refrigeration, improving access in more isolated communities and reducing environmental impact. The phase I study found the vaccine
was well tolerated, with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. Results have been published recently in The Lancet group’s eClinicalMedicine. The reformulated vaccine, known as SPVX02, was developed by UK-based biotech company Stablepharma using its StablevaX technology. The trial took place in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility at University Hospital Southampton and was delivered through the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton. The research shows that SPVX02 can
be stored at temperatures of up to 30°C for at least two years without losing its effectiveness. Scientists are now investigating whether it can remain stable for as long as four years. Researchers
have also demonstrated that the vaccine remains stable, and fully potent, after three cycles of extreme temperature fluctuation from -20°C to +40°C. The randomised trial, which also
involved the Medicines Evaluation Unit (MEU) in Manchester, enrolled 60 healthy adults. By 28 days after vaccination, all participants receiving SPVX02 achieved protective antibody levels against both tetanus and diphtheria. Reed TAN, Clarke P, de la Torre Arrieta J, et al. Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of SPVX02, a room temperature-stabilised tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, compared to two established tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccines: a multicentre, single- blind, randomised, first-in-human phase 1 trial in the UK. eClinicalMedicine 2026 Aug 5. Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1016/j. eclinm.2026.104116
Leica Biosystems expands digital pathology capabilities
Leica Biosystems has announced multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearances that strengthen its connected clinical digital pathology portfolio, translating digital pathology innovation to clinical impact by accelerating workflows and patient care. The expanded clinical portfolio
introduces Aperio iQC DX software, adds the Aperio GT 180 DX scanner, and enhances capabilities for the Aperio GT 450 DX scanner – providing laboratories with greater flexibility to scale digital pathology while maintaining speed and quality. As the industry’s first FDA 510(k)-cleared
software product for AI-assisted digital pathology quality control in a clinical seting, Aperio iQC DX software represents a significant step forward in accelerating
time to diagnosis. By detecting common issues automatically while slides remain on the scanner, Aperio iQC DX software enables laboratories to identify and resolve potential quality concerns earlier in the workflow. This helps reduce the need for rescanning or rework, minimise downstream delays, and support more consistent, reproducible image review. In a real-world data study (conducted with the Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University), the AI models detected up to 24% more artefacts missed by histotechnicians and reduced hands-on review time by 69%. The Aperio GT 180 DX clinical scanner
extends Leica Biosystems’ clinical scanning portfolio to mid-volume laboratories seeking to scale digital pathology.
September 2026
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