Tag: lipid nanoparticle technology
- Combines etherna’s mRNA and LNP technologies expertise with Hasselt University’s leading autoimmune research
- Focuses on developing a tolerizing mRNA-LNP platform that restores immune homeostasis and that can be deployed across a variety of auto-immune diseases
- Funded by Euros 1.7 million Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) grant
Niel, Belgium, May 21, 2024 – etherna, a leading mRNA technologies company, announced today that it has entered a research collaboration with Hasselt University (UHasselt) to develop an mRNA-LNP based treatment for auto-immune disorders. Funded by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), the project aims to combine etherna’s vast expertise in developing customized mRNA and lipid-based nanoparticle technologies for immuno-modulation with UHasselt’s renowned research into autoimmune diseases with a particular focus on multiple sclerosis.
Prof. Dr. Bieke Broux, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, UHasselt said: “This innovative project was created by bringing together the expertise of etherna in mRNA and LNP technologies and the extensive immunological knowledge available in the Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) of Hasselt University. My team focuses specifically on finding solutions for the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. To this end, we use human in vitro models, as well as laboratory animal models to translationally test our findings.”
Dr. Paulien Baeten, Postdoctoral researcher commented: “The collaboration with etherna in this VLAIO-funded project is a great opportunity to contribute to the application of mRNA technologies in the fight against autoimmune disorders. This gives us as academic researchers the opportunity to convert our acquired knowledge into a solution for patients.”
Dr. Stefaan De Koker, VP Technology & Innovation at etherna, added: “We are delighted to receive this grant from VLAIO and enter into collaboration with UHasselt. We see autoimmune diseases as one of the key opportunities for mRNA-LNP autoimmune therapy alongside oncology and infectious diseases. The aim is to develop tolerizing mRNA therapeutics that selectively amplify immune-suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) and deplete disease-causing auto-reactive effector T cells (Teffs) whilst avoiding generalized immune activation. etherna’s ability to provide ultrapure, non-inflammatory mRNA, and immune-silent LNPs targeting antigen presenting cells alongside UHasselt’s immunological expertise will be key to success.”
Since etherna was founded in 2013, the company has established an integrated set of proprietary capabilities for end-to-end design, development, and manufacture of next-generation mRNA products. These include molecular designs, lipid chemistry expertise, customized lipid nanoparticle formulations (cLNPs), mRNA-based T cell adjuvants, and advanced manufacturing processes. etherna’s business model is to partner with both emerging and established biopharma companies, allowing them to resolve the current challenges mRNA therapeutics face.
About Hasselt University
In five decades, Hasselt University has grown into a civic university dedicated to the region, connected in and with the world. UHasselt has two campuses (Diepenbeek and Hasselt), ten faculties and schools (Architecture and Art, Business Economics, Medicine and Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, Law, Sciences, Educational Studies, Social Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences & Mobility Sciences), and seven research institutes and centers (biomedical, statistical and environmental, and materials research & research into mobility, digital media and the clinical research center LCRC). Hasselt University has more than 7,000 students and 1,600 staff members.
About BIOMED
The Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED) of Hasselt University is a multidisciplinary institute where high-end technologies are used to gain new insights into three disease domains: immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular disease. The institute combines high-quality fundamental research with translational programs to develop applications for patients and the healthcare sector. This focuses on identifying risk factors throughout the different phases of life, developing better insights into disease mechanisms, monitoring conditions, and devising strategies to deal with, treat, and prevent conditions.
This work paves the way for the design of mRNA vaccines to combat infectious diseases and cancers with enhanced efficacy and improved tolerability. The inclusion of lipid nanoparticles is crucial in this advancement, making mRNA vaccines with lipid nanoparticles a significant focus for future innovations.
Niel, Belgium – Feb 13, 2024 – etherna, a leading RNA technology company has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper in Advanced Functional Materials showcasing the strengths of etherna’s proprietary Lipid-based nanoparticle (LNP) platform.
The work, which was conducted in collaboration with the lab of Prof. De Geest at Ghent University, describes how delivery of mRNA-encoded antigens in LNPs comprising a novel class of ionizable lipids enhances the induction of antigen-specific immune responses while reducing undesired off-target expression in the liver, thereby minimizing the risk of adverse events, thus emphasizing the vital role lipid nanoparticles play in mRNA vaccine efficiency.
The researchers compared the transfection ability and toxicity arising from the use of two different mRNA encapsulation materials, MC3 (which served as a benchmark) and etherna’s S-Ac7-DOG. Their findings included significant improvements in mRNA vaccines lipid nanoparticles interaction, considerably lowering toxicity.
In mouse models, the team found that S-Ac7-DOG encapsulated mRNA demonstrated markedly higher transfection, lower reactogenicity, and higher accumulation in the vaccine-draining lymph nodes, tissues where immune responses against microbial antigens and tumor antigens are typically induced. The role of LNPs in enhanced mRNA vaccine delivery was evident.
Hypothetically, any mRNA-based drug using S-Ac7-DOG as the lipid base would therefore have improved efficacy and a better safety profile. Eventually, these findings could lead to the development and subsequent delivery of highly efficacious, safe cancer vaccines and treatments, transforming oncology as we know it. It emphasizes how mRNA vaccines lipid nanoparticles work together for better treatment options.
Stefaan De Koker, etherna’s Vice President, Technology & Innovation, describes the paper as a “landmark” for the company and its technology.
“The publication in Advanced Functional Materials demonstrates several key advantages of etherna’s mRNA and lipid nanoparticle offerings and, for the first time, demonstrates the two together. Whilst the currently published work focuses on the design of mRNA LNPs for more effective vaccines, we also have designed LNP platforms based on similar chemistries for the immune-silent delivery of mRNA to hematopoietic stem cells, macrophages, and hepatocytes, thereby extending the utility of our LNP platforms to hematological disorders, rare genetic diseases, and auto-immunity.
It is our view that mRNA therapies, when successfully deployed, could be used to save the lives of millions of patients worldwide,” he says. “As a company, we are now even better positioned to sign development agreements with large pharmaceutical companies who require additional assistance in bringing their own mRNA therapies to market.”
Kenneth Chien, Karolinska Institute Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Swedish Research Council added: “This study establishes the value of combining the design of custom LNPs ( cLNPs) with state-of-the-art mRNA chemistry based on the optimization of the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions along with enhanced algorithms for codon optimization. The etherna paradigm for cLNP design is ushering in the rapid generation of novel families of delivery systems for not only vaccination but also for in vivo tolerization for a host of autoimmune diseases.” In this context, the synergy between mRNA vaccines lipid nanoparticles is crucial for advancing therapeutic solutions.
About Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Functional Materials is part of the Wiley family of scientific publications. Published weekly since 2013, the journal has an impact rating of 19 and focuses on articles that demonstrate advances in the chemical and physical properties of known materials.
Although Advanced Functional Materials’ most-cited articles focus on battery and semiconductor technology, its readers and submissions come from a broad range of backgrounds, including those from elsewhere in the materials science sector, physicists, engineers, biologists, and medical researchers.
• The multi-target research and development partnership will focus on severe skin diseases. Research into mRNA therapies for skin diseases will be a key component of this focus.
• The collaboration leverages etherna’s proprietary mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology with Almirall’s expertise in the dermatology space
• In addition to upfront and technology access payments, etherna is eligible to receive €300 million in development and commercial milestones as well as tiered royalties
BARCELONA, Spain and NIEL, Belgium. December 12th 2023 – Almirall, S.A. (ALM), a global pharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, and etherna, an mRNA/LNP technology platform company, announced today a multi-target alliance to discover and develop new mRNA-based therapies for severe skin diseases, including non-melanoma skin cancer.
The alliance combines and leverages etherna’s innovative proprietary mRNA capabilities and LNP formulations with Almirall’s leading expertise in medical dermatology to accelerate discovery of novel treatment options. Delivery of LNP-formulated mRNA for transient and local translation of therapeutic proteins offers a unique opportunity to encode for multiple therapeutically active components in a single treatment, underpinning the potential for mRNA therapies specifically designed for skin diseases.
Etherna and Almirall will work collaboratively on the research activities, while Almirall will lead clinical development and commercialization. Under the terms of the agreement, etherna will receive upfront and technology access payments. In addition, etherna is eligible to receive success-based development and commercial milestone payments that could exceed €300 million contingent upon launch and commercial success of multiple products, as well as tiered royalties based upon future global sales. Further financial details were not disclosed.
Dr. Karl Ziegelbauer, Chief Scientific Officer of Almirall, stated: “At Almirall, we always look for new solutions for patients suffering from skin diseases and we are thrilled about the strategic alliance with etherna to strengthen our pipeline with mRNA-based assets that can potentially lead to novel therapies for skin conditions.”
Bernard Sagaert, CEO of etherna, stated: “We are excited to partner with Almirall to advance mRNA therapeutics into medical dermatology. Almirall and etherna share the vision that intradermal application of LNP-formulated mRNA is a highly promising strategy to bring novel, efficacious new treatment options that will deliver huge benefits to patients through innovative mRNA therapies for skin diseases.”