Recently, with the increase in COVID-19 patients and the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the Mpox international public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccines and therapeutics are gaining attention. Amid this, Naivec, a peptide fusion bio-specialized company, has embarked on the development of next-generation mRNA delivery systems to replace the existing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) under government support.
On the 20th, Naivec announced that it has started optimization research on a drug delivery system applying target cell-penetrating peptides in a national project for developing mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics delivery systems. The peptide mRNA delivery system not only shows superior efficacy compared to the existing LNP delivery system but also offers higher storage stability, enabling faster response to emerging infectious diseases once commercialized.
In this national project, Naivec utilizes the target-selective peptide-based transporter ‘PEPSTARPEN’ as a delivery vehicle for various mRNA antigens. To this end, they have completed the synthesis of functional peptide structures for mRNA delivery and applied the mRNA delivery system to multiple antigen genes, forming them into ‘nanocomplexes.’
Naivec is currently examining the physicochemical properties of these nanocomplexes, including △particle size △uniformity △surface charge, and surface morphology. Additionally, they are conducting comparative evaluations of intracellular protein expression levels between the existing mRNA delivery system LNP and PEPSTARPEN, as well as ongoing storage stability tests of the nanocomplexes.
A Naivec representative stated, “In the national project experiments, not only was the cell penetration function of the mRNA peptide nanocomplex confirmed, but in vivo expression was also verified through firefly luciferase.” He added, “Storage stability tests showed that the efficacy was maintained for up to three months under refrigerated conditions at 4°C.”
He continued, “Based on the experimental results so far, the developing mRNA delivery system has demonstrated excellence in target cell-selective delivery, intracellular drug expression, and storage stability, so we expect it to replace the existing mRNA delivery system LNP. The next-generation mRNA drug delivery platform can be applied to various infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and Mpox, and if commercialized, it will enable effective responses,” emphasizing the potential impact.
Naivec is a joint research institution in the vaccine delivery system support project funded by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and is conducting the ‘Optimization Research of Newly Developed Domestic mRNA Vaccine Delivery Systems’ in collaboration with the Seoul National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation.
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