The rapid growth of RNA therapeutics has been due to solving the problems of stability, delivery and immunogenicity.
The current solutions have advanced to the point that RNA therapeutics are now a reality,
BUT significant improvement and innovation are needed to ensure the availability and accessibility of RNA therapeutics for a wider range of applications.
Our BIO-COURIER technology builds upon lipid nanoparticle technology to optimize and stabilise it through next-generation silicon stabilized hybrid lipid nanoparticles (sshLNP).
Silicon’s positive charge and high ζ-potential electrostatically binds and condenses RNA within the particle preventing the premature disassociation of RNA, reducing the reliance on cationic lipids and reducing fusion between particles
Surface lipids combined with pH dependant silicon/RNA bond dissolution maximise transfection efficiency
High volumes of tightly condensed RNA are entrapped within the silicon matrix, physically protecting them from hydrolysis to prolong their systemic survival
Versatility of particle size, surface charge and the addition of surface ligands enables passive or active cell targeting and multiple administration routes
The structural integrity of the Silicon metalloid prevents physical collapse of the particle permitting lyophilisation whilst retaining RNA integrity
Surface lipids and amino acids control the rate of silicon hydrolysis to only produce 100% bioabsorbable Ortho silicic acid (OSA) an essential micromineral
BIO-COURIERS are
extremely versatile
- Very high surface area (>700 m2/g)
- Pore volume of > 1 cm3/g
- Stable nanostructure
- Tunable pore diameter (2-10 nm)
- Two functional surfaces (interior and exterior)
- Control of particle size and shapes
- Modifiable particle surface
Safety is built in
BIO-COURIERS are biologically friendly, the components are U.S. FDA generally recognized as safe (GRAS) materials and are fully biocompatible and bioabsorbable obviating carrier-related toxicity.
PROSILIC®, our lead BIO-COURIER is 100% bioabsorbable as it fully dissipates to Ortho-Silicic Acid (OSA), the bioavailable form of silicon and essential micromineral for cellular health.
RNA Thermostability
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the storage temperature of mRNA vaccine candidates in development had not been given much attention. Typically, small batches were kept frozen at -80 oC, and then thawed and administered as needed.
Now storage, transport, and delivery under ultracold conditions have created a huge challenge with hundreds of millions (eventually billions) of doses being administered all around the world.
COLHYSILCTM embeds RNA + silicon stabilized hybrid lipid nanoparticles (sshLNP) in hydrogel to create a system that allows long-term storage of RNA therapeutics at ambient temperatures.
The formulation is also suitable for direct administration and large-scale manufacturing.