Lipid Nanoparticle Platform with Active Endosomal Escape System for mRNA Vaccines
As part of its Vaccine Technology Innovations program, Médicament Québec is supporting four collaborative research initiatives bringing together academia and industry partners. Discover Dr. Gaillet’s project focused on developing a lipid nanoparticle platform with active endosomal escape system for mRNA vaccines.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) played a critical role in the rapid development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, protecting and delivering messenger RNA into cells. However, a large portion of this mRNA remains trapped inside the cell without producing the intended effect, and only a small fraction successfully reaches its target. Improving this process is essential to making vaccines more effective, reducing required doses, and minimizing side effects.
To enhance mRNA internalization, Dr. Gaillet’s team will engineer an endosomal escape system within LNPs, creating a breakthrough platform capable of drastically increasing the percentage of mRNA delivered into the cytoplasm of cells.
Several partners will be involved in the project:
- Researchers from Université Laval;
- Feldan Therapeutics, which will oversee development and secure the funding required for platform deployment—generating a multiplier effect for financing new vaccine technologies in Québec;
- TransBIOTech, the College Centre for Technology Transfer, which will evaluate the platform’s activity in the appropriate animal model.
In addition to advancing a platform that improves the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, this initiative will foster the creation of a network of highly qualified personnel in R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization of mRNA vaccines in Québec.
This project is supported by the Government of Quebec through Médicament Québec, which is investing $1.5 million. An additional $1 million from industry partners brings the total investment to $2.5 million.
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