Luka AI Cell Develops Drug Delivery System Applying Artificial Cell Membrane Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Luka AI Cell (hereinafter Luka), a bio platform specialized venture company, has developed the country's first lipid nanoparticle (LNP) based drug delivery system technology.

Namjun Cho, founder of Luka and Chief Technology Officer as well as a professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, stated at a briefing on the development of new artificial cell membrane technology held on the 8th in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, "LNP technology is a drug delivery system technology that protects substances so they can remain stable in various bodily environments until mRNA vaccines are injected into our bodies to induce antibody production," adding, "By utilizing the patented technology developed by our company, it is possible to develop vaccine products with higher product competitiveness than existing overseas drug delivery system technologies."

The technology for which Luka is filing a patent this time is a new source material of 24 types of ionizable lipids. It is expected to be highly effective in enhancing the stability of the drug delivery system through combinations with existing lipids. Luka plans to prioritize virus vaccine development through joint research with domestic and international pharmaceutical companies currently developing mRNA vaccines simultaneously with the patent application. To this end, the company explained that it is currently negotiating with multiple large pharmaceutical companies and research institutes to provide drug delivery system technology applying artificial cell membrane technology.

Luka also possesses technology using a new drug delivery material called Pollen (kkotgaru, meaning flower pollen). A Luka official said, "The next-generation Pollen drug delivery system removes substances that cause allergies in existing pollen and enhances drug delivery functions, resulting in excellent stability," adding, "Also, since the particle size is uniform, standardization is easy, and it is harmless to the human body, allowing delivery of various functional molecules. Drug development is possible not only for oral use but also for nasal use."

Seunghee Ahn, CEO of Luka, emphasized, "Based on the global patented technology related to artificial cell membranes that our company holds, we plan to pursue various businesses including drug delivery systems and new drug development platform technologies, as well as virus and cancer diagnostics, drug testing platforms, medical device coatings, and anti-aging platforms," adding, "Within a few years, we will become a global bio platform specialized company leading the bio field."

Meanwhile, Luka is also developing a COVID-19 antigen and antibody rapid diagnostic kit with improved accuracy by applying artificial cell membrane technology. It can provide diagnostic results within 20 minutes, with sensitivity reaching 95%. It can diagnose using various specimens such as saliva and blood. It is also possible to manufacture it in a platform form that can test multiple people simultaneously. Additionally, Luka is developing the world's first hepatitis specialized diagnostic kit capable of simultaneously diagnosing hepatitis types A, B, C, D, and E.