Vaccines given with a painless skin patch rather than needles are a step closer after Australian innovators secured a deal with international vaccine manufacturer, Merck.

The Nanopatch, developed by University of Queensland Professor Mark Kendall, uses 100 times less vaccine than a syringe and is smaller than a postage stamp.

The technology is being commercialised by an investor-backed company, Vaxxas, but the partnership with Merck has injected extra research funds and potentially opened up a suite of vaccines to eventually be used with the patch.

Prof Kendall says this is an essential step for Vaxxas because now there is partnership with one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers.

He says the deal validated the development of the Nanopatch, which was selected by Merck from a field of about 40 other international technologies.

Source: skynews.com.au/health