Multi-parameter characyerization of mRNA LNPs

Author: admin Date: February 22, 2024

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently in the spotlight as delivery systems for mRNA therapeutics and have been utilized in the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. In theory, mRNA can be used to express any type of protein. In addition to vaccines, mRNA has a broad application in the fields of protein replacement therapy, tumor treatment, gene editing, and regenerative medicine.

Delivery systems are required for nucleic acid drugs to function, as they are negatively charged. Among these systems, LNPs are mostly applicable and provide a highly efficient platform for the in vivo delivery of RNA. Accurate characterization of the physical and chemical properties of nucleic acid drugs, such as compositions, size distributions, and structure, is helpful and critical for drug design, research and development (R&D), and quality control.

In this research, a comprehensive characterization method was developed based on the Flow NanoAnalyzer platform. Researchers can achieve quantitative analysis of size distribution, particle concentration, empty shell rate, entrapment efficiency, and localization of nucleic acid drugs. This method holds high application value during the upfront stages of R&D, production, purification, quality control, and stability assessment of the drugs.

Figure 1. Typical data of nucleic aic drugs analysis