Germany: On Monday, 5th June 2023, Bayer AG, a global company with core competencies in the fields of health care and nutrition has partnered with Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology firm which is focused on the development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems for molecular therapies. Bayer's in vivo gene editing and protein replacement programmes will benefit from Acuitas' LNP technology, which will selectively transport RNA payloads to the intended target organ, the liver. Bayer through its gene therapy subsidiary AskBio, will utilize Acuitas' high-potency ionizable lipid technology and LNP carriers, which will be used for targeted and transitory administration of gene editing RNA components to the liver.

Acuitas' unique LNP technology is being employed in a number of vaccines and treatments under clinical research, as well as in several of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been licensed and provided to patients in 180 countries. LNPs are spherical drug delivery bodies that can carry therapeutic payloads for intracellular delivery. This delivery technique safeguards the messenger RNA (mRNA) payload after administration, allowing it to be carried into cells securely and effectively. Acuitas’ LNP may be used to deliver a variety of nucleic acid treatments, including small interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides, and DNA, in addition to mRNA.

Bayer and its gene therapy-focused affiliate Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) will have access to Acuitas' high potency ionizable lipid technology and LNP carriers through the development and option for license agreement to create effective, targeted, and transient delivery of gene editing RNA components to the liver.

According to the Head of Business Development of Bayer AG, “Complementing in-house expertise with external collaboration continues to be a priority in areas of high unmet medical need where insufficient, or no treatment options are currently available,” said Friedemann Janus, acting Head of Business Development and Licensing/Open Innovation, Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer. “Accessing state-of-the-art LNP technology through this collaboration will add momentum to our gene editing efforts for the benefit of patients.”

According to the President & CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc., “We are delighted to partner with Bayer in the area of gene therapy. Innovation is the foundation of who we are at Acuitas, and we continue to invest heavily in internal research and development to provide our partners – such as Bayer – with the safest and most effective LNP delivery technology available,” said Dr. Thomas Madden, President & CEO of Acuitas Therapeutics. “We support our partners to advance new therapeutics to address unmet clinical needs, and we are excited to work with the Bayer team in the development of medicines that are intended to address serious health issues faced by people worldwide.”

According to TechSci Research, the collaboration between Bayer AG and Acuitas Therapeutics will enhance the gene therapy portfolio of Bayer which will further strengthen by clinically validated lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology. Through this exclusive partnership, the industry may have unmatched access to novel drugs in case of rare genetic diseases where medical treatments are still unmet. The adoption of LNP among the pharmaceutical industry will offer new tools for mRNA-based medication research and the production of affordable vaccines and treatments around the world, fostering supply security as well as economic growth.

To support and complement the development of RNA therapeutics, the industry needs innovative drug delivery technologies like LNPs. Finding innovative, affordable alternatives to the current LNP systems would increase access to nucleic acid-based vaccines and medicines globally because the current LNP systems are expensive to access. Production procedures and medication delivery strategies are two areas that require careful consideration as work with LNPs continues to increase throughout the pharmaceutical industry.

With the use of an LNP-mRNA vaccine, several biopharma companies, including BioNTech, are now developing combination medicines that deliver cancer antigens. It is not surprising that the LNP formulation have been revived given the outstanding effectiveness of LNP-mRNA based vaccines in preventing COVID-19 related disorders. A large number of pharmaceuticals companies are now using LNP formulations to deliver various RNA- and DNA-derived medications. LNP delivery is developing from an emerging technology that only worked with specific therapeutic compounds into a mainstream therapeutic/vaccine delivery technology.  LNP delivery are currently being developed for gene therapy, cancer therapy, and other vaccine applications in addition to the COVID-19 and siRNA success stories. As a result, cutting-edge analytical methods are continuing to emerge and discovery of fascinating new applications in the field of developing gene therapies. Liquid nanoparticles hold great promise in revolutionizing drug delivery by overcoming various limitations associated with conventional drug formulations. Their unique properties and versatility make them valuable tools for improving therapeutic outcomes, reducing side effects, and advancing personalized medicine which is paving way for the acceptance of liquid nanoparticles-based drug deliveries in the pharmaceutical industry.