Liposome Encapsulation Services

Liposomes are made from lecithin and ceramide and have a bilayer structure, which is the same as the structure of skin cell membranes. Liposomes have an excellent moisturizing effect on the skin, especially liposomes coated with moisturizing substances such as hyaluronic acid, polyglucoside, etc., which are better moisturizing substances. BOC Sciences provides comprehensive liposome encapsulation support services, including small molecule drugs, peptides, nucleic acids, and vaccines. We follow strict quality control measures throughout the liposome encapsulation process, which ensures that the final liposome formulation meets customer requirements for purity, stability and efficacy.

Definition of Liposomes

The concept of liposomes was first proposed by Bangham et al. in 1965. Nowadays, it generally refers to small closed vesicles with a bilayer-wrapped water phase structure formed by dispersing lipids such as phospholipids in water. Because the structure of liposomes is similar to biological membranes, it can also be called artificial biological membrane. As a widely used drug carrier, liposomes have received extensive attention and research. Not only is the phospholipid, the main raw material for preparing liposomes, an inherent component of human cells, which makes liposomes have good biocompatibility without immunogenicity. Moreover, liposomes can be prepared into nanoscale particles, making it easier to penetrate biological barriers such as blood vessel walls and cell membranes.

Fig. 1. Conventional liposomes are made of phospholipid (Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19: 195).

Composition of Liposomes

The composition of liposomes mainly includes lipids (phospholipids) and additives.

• Phospholipids: Phospholipids include natural phospholipids and synthetic phospholipids. The structural characteristics of phospholipids are a hydrophilic group composed of a phosphate group and a quaternary ammonium salt group, and a lipophilic group composed of two longer hydrocarbon groups. Natural phospholipids are mainly lecithin (phosphatidylcholine, PC), derived from egg yolks and soybeans, and are neutral. Synthetic phospholipids mainly include DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine), DPPE (dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine), DSPC (distearoylphosphatidylcholine), etc. They are all hydrogenated phospholipids with stable properties and anti-bacterial properties. It has strong oxidizing properties and stable finished products, making it the preferred excipient in the field of drug development.
• Cholesterol: Cholesterol and phospholipids are the basic substances that together constitute cell membranes and liposomes. Cholesterol has the function of regulating membrane fluidity, so it can be called the fluidity buffer of liposomes.

Advantages of Liposomes

1. Wide drug loading range. Lipid-soluble drugs can be localized between bilayer lipid membranes, amphipathic drugs can be localized on phospholipids at the interface between the aqueous phase and the interior of the membrane, and hydrophilic drugs can be localized in the aqueous phase.

2. Various administration routes. In addition to the most common injection route of administration, liposomes are also suitable for oral, ocular, pulmonary inhalation, and transdermal routes of administration.

3. Targeted. Ordinary liposomes have liver and spleen tissue targeting properties, and liposomes can have specific targeting properties after being modified with monoclonal antibodies and other antibodies.

4. Having long-lasting effects. Long-circulation liposomes can prolong the retention time of drugs in the blood, which is beneficial to increasing drug efficacy.

5. Good tissue compatibility. With a structure similar to biological membranes, liposomes have good cell affinity and tissue compatibility, can be adsorbed around target cells for a long time, and can also directly enter cells and release drugs through lysosome digestion.

6. Reducing drug toxicity. After the drug is encapsulated by liposomes, the accumulation amount in the heart and kidney is much lower than that of the free drug, so it can target the heart. Renal toxic drugs are prepared into liposomes to reduce drug toxicity.

7. Improving drug stability. Some drugs that are unstable in specific environments can be protected by the liposome bilayer to improve the stability of some drugs.

Fig. 2. Surface functionalized liposome (Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19: 195).

Our Liposome Encapsulation Services

Liposome-encapsulated Nucleic Acids (mRNA, siRNA, microRNA, plasmid DNA)

Liposome-encapsulated nucleic acid, a cutting-edge technique for intracellular nucleic acid delivery, harnesses the prowess of liposomes as versatile carriers. By enveloping nucleic acid within these lipid-based spheres, a myriad of benefits emerge, including bolstered stability, thwarted degradation, and amplified cellular uptake. This ingenious delivery modality finds its zenith in the realm of gene therapy, where the manipulation or substitution of faulty genes holds promise in combating genetic disorders and afflictions. BOC Sciences, at the vanguard of scientific innovation, stands ready to encapsulate an assortment of nucleic acids into liposomes, spanning the gamut from plasmid DNA and siRNA to miRNA and antisense oligonucleotides. With a penchant for customization, we proffer an array of options encompassing liposome sizes, compositions, and surface modifications, empowering our esteemed clientele to tailor their delivery systems to their exacting specifications and unique exigencies.

Liposome-encapsulated Proteins

Liposome-encapsulated proteins offer a captivating avenue for transporting therapeutic proteins to precise locations within the body. These liposomes, acting as carriers, navigate the intricate pathways, ensuring controlled release and targeted delivery of antibodies, enzymes, and other therapeutic proteins. At BOC Sciences, we take liposome encapsulation to new heights. Our liposome encapsulation service offers a cornucopia of customization options, empowering you to tailor liposome-encapsulated proteins to your exact specifications. From enhancing solubility to amplifying bioavailability, from orchestrating controlled release to orchestrating targeted delivery, we have you covered.

Liposome-encapsulated Peptides

Liposome-encapsulated peptides are widely used in drug delivery and the development of peptide therapeutics. They can be used to deliver peptides with therapeutic properties, such as antimicrobial peptides, anti-cancer peptides, or peptides for targeted drug delivery. Liposome encapsulation helps to overcome the limitations of poor peptide stability, low bioavailability and rapid degradation. Therefore, BOC Sciences can design liposome formulations with different lipid compositions, sizes and surface modifications to optimize peptide encapsulation efficiency and stability. We support encapsulation services for various peptides, including therapeutic peptides, antigenic peptides and peptide vaccines, etc. Additionally, we can tailor the encapsulation process to meet specific requirements such as peptide size, charge and hydrophobicity.

Liposome-encapsulated Small Molecule Drugs

Liposome-encapsulated small molecule drugs are drugs that are encapsulated in lipid bilayers (liposomes) to improve their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. BOC Sciences provides liposome encapsulation services for small molecule drugs, which involves the development and production of liposome-based small molecule drug delivery systems. We can develop liposomal formulations targeting specific small molecule drugs such as Doxorubicin, Amphotericin B, Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, Methotrexate, Gemcitabine, Clofarabine, Irinotecan, Daunorubicin, Mitoxantrone, etc. In addition, BOC Sciences can optimize the loading efficiency of small molecule drugs in liposomes to achieve the desired drug concentration. This optimization process ensures maximum drug encapsulation without compromising liposome stability or integrity.

Liposome-encapsulated Vaccines

Liposome-encapsulated vaccines are a process in which antigens (substances that trigger an immune response) are encapsulated in liposomes. Currently, the types of vaccines that can be used for liposome encapsulation include subunit vaccines, DNA vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, etc. BOC Sciences provides one-stop services for liposome encapsulated vaccines, involving liposome encapsulation technology development and vaccine production. Our liposome-encapsulated vaccine services can be customized to client requirements, including selection of antigen or therapeutic molecule, liposome composition and encapsulation method. We also provide comprehensive support throughout the development process, from initial design and formulation to scale-up production.

Lipid Analysis and Characterization

BOC Sciences provides comprehensive analysis and characterization support for liposome-encapsulated drugs, including liposome size distribution, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency, and drug release kinetics. These analyzes help evaluate the quality and performance of liposome-encapsulated drugs. Additionally, we can perform in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposome-encapsulated drugs. These studies evaluate factors such as drug release, cellular uptake, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. BOC Sciences also offers large-scale manufacturing of liposome-encapsulated drugs, ensuring consistent and reliable supply for preclinical and clinical studies.