Precision NanoSystems NanoAssemblr for local development of RNA vaccines

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The biggest vaccine campaign in history is ongoing against COVID-19, with RNA vaccines playing a key role. Due to the rapid degradation of RNA and low cellular uptake, an essential element of RNA vaccines is lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems. LNPs encapsulate and protect the RNA to facilitate its entry into cells where it is translated and presented as an antigen that can elicit an immune response. The success of RNA vaccines has driven an acceleration of other RNA-enabled treatments that will only exacerbate the already strained capacity to produce the COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, new solutions to address bottlenecks in development and manufacturing are needed.

The NanoAssemblr platform from Precision NanoSystems (PNI) enables the rapid, reproducible and scalable manufacture of nanoparticle formulations such as LNPs to encapsulate RNA. Particle size can be fine-tuned to create highly reproducible LNPs with high encapsulation efficacy and potency within seconds. NxGen microfluidics mixing technology simplifies and accelerates nanomedicine formulation by enabling all scales of development through one single mixing element — from formulation to full GMP.

Limited access to ionisable lipids and LNP compositions that are suitable for vaccination and cell and gene therapy can be a problem in advancing many potential therapeutic/vaccine candidates to the clinic. PNI has developed a proprietary ionisable lipid library and a commercially available LNP reagent mix, GenVoy-ILM, that allows for rapid preclinical development of RNA vaccines.

In the face of current COVID-19 vaccine shortages, localised manufacturing can support national vaccine requirements as well as offering the capability to handle emerging regional variants. The NanoAssemblr Spark and Ignite systems plus the Malvern Zetasizer particle sizing system (as shown in the photo at the UNSW RNA Institute) and a number of other key technologies will make critical contributions that advance the development of treatments for cancer and rare genetic disorders, as well as vaccines for current and future infections including COVID-19.

For more information: https://www.atascientific.com.au/products/nanoassemblr-ignite/.