Pullulan Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP)
These years, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) is emerging as an important and essential tool in the development of mRNA vaccines against viral infection and cancer as well as mRNA/siRNA drugs. Current LNP technology relies on polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lipid to form LNP and to prevent aggregation. However, PEG-lipid in current LNP can induce anti-PEG antibodies after multiple dosing that can cause some adverse effects such as allergy and anaphylaxis. Anti-PEG antibodies also can cause accelerated blood clearance (ABS) effect that mitigates the efficacy of any PEG-containing vaccines and drugs. In addition, current PEG-based LNP lacks tissue- and/or cell-targeting ability, potentially increasing side effects and limiting efficacy.
We apply our Myeloid Targeting Platform™ to solve these PEG-related issues by inventing next generation LNP so called “pullulan-coated LNP (P-LNP)”. Ideally it contains no PEG-lipid, and pullulan polysaccharide has quite low immunogenicity. By this improvement, we can avoid anti-PEG antibody-associated adverse effects and ABC effects. Simultaneously, pullulan coating of LNP brings selectivity towards vaccination- or disease-associated macrophages and dendritic cells, thereby increases safety and efficacy of LNP products.
