Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) have been recognized as a novel pharmaceutical drug delivery system. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs, sLNPs) or lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), are nanoparticles composed of lipids. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) are spherical vesicles composed on ionizable lipids, which are positively charges at low pH.
LNP’s, nanoparticles with an outer shell of lipid molecules have the ability to encapsulate and transport complex active ingredients (such as mRNA, RNA, siRNA, or DNA-based APIs)) to target cells in the human body. This technology can be precise tuned and targeted. This has led to an expanding demand for their production. This is the methodology that is currently being used to fight against the Coronavirus. ICON Scientific is playing an active role in supporting pharmaceuticals in their mRNA vaccine production. This technology has potential for other vaccines, treatments, medications, and gene therapy. mRNA will continue to grow as a drug delivery system.
The critical ingredient in mRNA vaccines is the mRNA, the short-lived strands of genetic material that message our cells to begin making SARS-CoV-2 proteins. This signals our immune systems to begin developing antibodies.
Over the past decade, SLNs have been studied as a drug delivery system for controlling drug release. These colloidal carrier systems have the advantages of traditional systems without the major disadvantages. SLNs can control drug release, increase drug stability and targeting, and are easily scaled-up. Therefore, the development of lipid-based nanoparticles (liposomes in particular), have proven to be highly effective in cancer treatments. They improve the selectivity of chemotherapeutics agents, offer a controlled and prolonged release of agents, and they increase the solubility of hydrophobic drugs. Patients benefit from nanoparticle formulations because they have higher efficacy and reduced side effects. LNP’s are new from a production point of view, yet the technology has been clinically proven for almost 30 years. LNP-based formulations can be rapidly developed and scaled-up into a finished product. This has been a tremendous advantage in the development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. LNP formulations have become recognized as the gold standard for parenteral products such as antibiotics, anticancer agents, and drug combinations. LNP-based drugs have been approved since 1995 with the approval of the lipid based anti-cancer drug, Doxil (doxorbubicin). In 2018, the FDA approved Onpattro, the first nanoparticle drug to be administered intravenously for the treatment of peripheral nerve disease.
It is promising that mRNA technology could revolutionize vaccination formulization, protein replacement therapies and produce more efficient treatment for genetic diseases.
Icon Scientific’s HPLC pumps are used in the mass production of liquid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) for the drug delivery of mRNA-based vaccines. Precise dosing is necessary to ensure optimal encapsulation. ICON Scientific’s portfolio of HPLC dosing pumps are optimized to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry for mRNA vaccine production. Our pumps precisely deliver fluids at a wide range of flow rates and pressures. They have extremely stable liquid flow. There are three choices of pump material: stainless steel, titanium, or PEEK. When our pumps are used in combination with a mass flow controller, exceptional flow accuracy and precision is achieved.
In addition to dosing pump technology, ICON Scientific offers many other chromatography solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
Check out more information HERE: https://www.iconsci.com/product-category/liquid-nanoparticles-lnp/
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