Lipid & Vaccine Delivery Solutions

The function of the vaccine is to stimulate the body to spontaneously form specific B cells and T cells by delivering antigens, thereby forming a specific immune response. After the immune response is formed, if the human body is attacked by the same pathogen, the acquired immune system responds quickly and eliminates the pathogen before it can infect other normal cells on a large scale. Unlike natural pathogens that invade the human body and form an immune response, vaccines usually only deliver inactivated and harmless antigen fragments into the human body to generate an immune response for human immune cells to recognize. The antigens that enter the human body are themselves non-toxic and harmless. For example, the mRNA vaccine is a nucleic acid vaccine that carries part of the genetic information of the antigen virus, encapsulates it in a lipid nano-delivery system (LNP), and enters human cells by injection. It is then expressed to produce immune cells and recognize antigens, stimulating the body to produce a specific immune response that protects the body from infection.

Fig. 1. mRNA vaccines and their delivery strategies (Molecular Therapy. 2023, 1525-0016).

Our Lipid Solutions for Vaccine Delivery

Lipid-based vaccine delivery systems can take many forms, including lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, and lipid-based adjuvants. These systems can be used to encapsulate antigens, adjuvants, or other vaccine components, providing a protective environment that can enhance vaccine delivery and presentation to the immune system. One of the major advantages of lipid-based vaccine delivery systems is their ability to improve vaccine stability and bioavailability. Many vaccines, especially those based on live attenuated or subunit antigens, are susceptible to degradation and instability, which limits their shelf life and effectiveness. Lipid-based delivery systems can protect these fragile vaccine components from degradation, ensuring they remain intact and active before reaching target cells.

Lipid Nanoparticles Development for Vaccines

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged throughout the pharmaceutical industry as promising delivery vehicles for various therapeutic drugs. Currently, LNPs have attracted much attention as an important component of mRNA vaccines, which play a key role in effectively protecting mRNA and transporting it into cells. Many liposomal drugs have been approved and used in medical practice. Subsequent generations of lipid nanocarriers, such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes, exhibited more complex structures and enhanced physical stability. Based on this, BOC Sciences launched a lipid nanoparticle development platform to promote the advancement of drug delivery. We support the development of LNPs formulations including ionizable lipids, cholesterol, helper lipids, and PEG-lipid. At present, our LNPs development services can support delivery studies of pDNA, mRNA, siRNA and proteins.

Liposome Encapsulation for Vaccines

Liposomes, an early version of LNPs, are an extremely versatile nanocarrier. Because they can transport hydrophobic or hydrophilic molecules, including small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, liposomes are the earliest nanodrug delivery platform to successfully move from concept to clinical application. Currently, many liposomal drug formulations have been approved and successfully used in medical practice. For example, the mRNA vaccine delivery system using liposomes as carriers has become a dedicated carrier for mRNA vaccines due to its strong targeting, high encapsulation rate, and good cell affinity. BOC Sciences offers a range of liposome and vaccine delivery solutions to support the development and delivery of vaccines and other therapeutics. Our services include preparation of synthetic liposomes and liposome encapsulation services. In addition, we provide lipid analysis and characterization services to evaluate the stability, release kinetics and other key properties of lipid delivery systems.

Lipid Adjuvant Development for Vaccines

In 1974, Allison et al first reported the efficacy of liposomes as immune enhancers. Studies have shown that the longer the acyl chain and the higher the saturation of phospholipids, the more obvious its effect in enhancing the body's immune response. It serves as an adjuvant and also functions as a carrier, similar to microspheres in cell membranes. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is also a widely used lipid adjuvant and is an agonist of TLR4 in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. For example, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) is a typical TLR4 agonist. In order to develop low-toxic lipid A adjuvants to enhance the immunostimulatory effect, a variety of MPL analogs have been developed and synthesized. BOC Sciences has expertise in the design, synthesis and characterization of lipid adjuvants for vaccine development. Our scientific team has a deep understanding of lipid chemistry and can tailor adjuvants to specific vaccine requirements and evaluate the efficacy and safety of lipid adjuvants.

What We Support?

• mRNA vaccines
• Subunit vaccines
• DNA vaccines
• Virus-like particle vaccines
• Protein vaccines
• Recombinant vaccines
• Polysaccharide vaccines
• Peptide vaccines

Our Products for Vaccines

As an excipient supplier for drug delivery systems, BOC Sciences' ionizable lipids, PEGylated lipids and auxiliary lipids are industry leaders in quality and industrialization. In addition, we are able to provide one-stop solutions from PEG synthesis to PEG modification. We are committed to exploring lipid formulations of different compositions and supporting the determination of their effects on drug loading, stability, biodistribution, cellular uptake, endocytic release, immune response, and more.

Reference

1. Malla, R.R. et al. mRNA vaccines and their delivery strategies: A journey from infectious diseases to cancer. Molecular Therapy. 2023, 1525-0016.