Resource Center
Lipid Nanoparticles
.png)
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) stand as the most advanced non-viral gene delivery system within clinical practice. They have proven their capability to safely and efficiently transport nucleic acids, addressing a significant obstacle that previously hindered the progress and utilization of genetic medicines.
Genetic medicine encompasses various applications, including gene editing, the expedited development of vaccines, immuno-oncology, and the treatment of rare genetic and previously untreatable diseases. All of these applications have traditionally faced challenges due to inefficiencies in nucleic acid delivery.
Lipid Nanoparticles are a class of nanoscale delivery systems designed to transport and protect therapeutic molecules, such as drugs and RNA, to specific target sites within the body. They have gained significant attention in the field of medicine and biotechnology due to their ability to enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of drugs by improving stability and ability to target points of interest for drug delivery.
The basic structure of an LNP consists of a lipid bilayer surrounding a hydrophobic core. This structure allows the LNPs to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs or nucleic acids within the core while keeping the hydrophilic components on the surface, making them stable and compatible with the aqueous environment of the body.
Modern LNPs comprise four essential components: cationic/ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol and PEGylated lipid. Each serves specific functions in the delivery system.
Essential components of LNPs
LNP Introduction
LNP Synthesis & Formulation
Conventionally, solvent injection and thin film rehydration are two common methods for liposome synthesis. Due to the simplicity of equipment requirements, such as sonicators or rotary evaporators, solvent injection and thin film rehydration methods are widely adopted in both research and production process. However, these traditional methods meet the challenges of low homogeneity of resulted LNPs, hash processes for delicate biomolecules, such as DNAs, RNAs or proteins.
Overview of LNP Synthesis, Formulation and Manufacturing Methods
This report reviews the various traditional approaches to LNP synthesis, contrasts them with microfluidic synthesis, and provides an overview of key synthesis parameters and downstream processing methods. While several traditional manufacturing methods have laid the foundation for current LNP technologies, modern methods use microfluidics for superior precision, reproducibility, and scalability.
Introduction to Lipid Nanoparticle: LNP Formulation Design and Preparation
This technical introduction explores lipid nanoparticle types, the formulation design, and preparation workflow of LNPs, highlighting common types, their typical composition, supported cargoes, and basic preparation considerations.
Targeted Delivery of Lipid Nanoparticles Through Surface Modification
This report explains the structural basis of LNP targeting, passive and active targeting mechanisms, and cutting-edge surface engineering techniques. Surface modifications— ranging from ligand conjugation to advanced lipid engineering — play a critical role in overcoming biological barriers, enhancing cellular uptake, and directing LNPs to specific tissues or cell populations.
To address these challenges, microfluidic mixing method has been rapidly developed in the past decade.
Schematic of oligonucleotide based LNP synthesis
Small volume(0.1-0.5 ml) lipid nanoparticle preparation for drug discovery and screening
LNP formulation tutorial with 1-4 samples per run
Automated high throughput screening LNP platform
Media volume(1- 200 ml) lipid nanoparticle process for formulation development and optimization, candidate selection in the pre-clinical study
Large volume (>100mL) lipid nanoparticle process for clinical development, GMP manufacturing.
Payloads
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are versatile carriers that protect and deliver a wide spectrum of therapeutic payloads across nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, and small molecules.
Below is a concise overview of commonly used LNP cargos and what they enable.
-
Linear mRNA: Encodes transient protein expression with high potency and rapid onset, widely used for vaccines and protein replacement.
-
Circular mRNA (circRNA): Covalently closed RNAs that resist exonuclease degradation and support more durable expression with reduced innate sensing.
-
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA): Incorporates replicase to amplify intracellularly, achieving higher, longer expression at lower doses, with formulation tuned for larger genomes.
-
siRNA: Double-stranded silencers that trigger RNA interference for gene knockdown, validated clinically and enabled by efficient endosomal escape.
-
DNA (plasmid/ssDNA): Supports longer-term, promoter-controlled expression and larger cargos, requiring strategies to manage innate immune activation.
-
Guide RNA (gRNA): Delivered alone or with Cas mRNA/RNP to program CRISPR editing; co-formulation supports precise, transient genome modification.
-
Peptides: Therapeutic, targeting, or immunomodulatory sequences; amphiphilic design and ion pairing improve encapsulation, stability, and intracellular delivery.
-
Proteins: Enzymes, antibodies, and genome-editing nucleases delivered via electrostatic complexation or anionic-lipid strategies while preserving bioactivity.
-
Small molecules: Hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs formulated to enhance solubility, stability, bioavailability, tissue distribution, and controlled release.
mRNA
guide RNA
Protein
Circular RNA (circRNA)
DNA
Small Molecule
Across these payloads, LNP composition is tailored—ionizable lipid for complexation and endosomal escape, helper phospholipid and cholesterol for structure and fusion, and PEG-lipid for colloidal stability and biodistribution. Microfluidic mixing, pKa tuning, particle size control, and surface ligands further optimize encapsulation efficiency, potency, tissue selectivity, and safety. Together, these design levers make LNPs a unifying platform for vaccines, gene regulation, genome editing, protein delivery, and small-molecule therapeutics.
Applications
Gene Therapy
Genetic drugs, including small interfering RNA (siRNA), mRNA, or plasmid DNA, hold promise for treating a wide array of diseases by either suppressing harmful genes, producing therapeutic proteins, or employing gene-editing techniques. Currently, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems stand at the forefront among non-viral delivery methods, enabling the clinical utilization of genetic drugs.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy entails the transformation of cells, commonly immune cells, obtained either from the patient (autologous) or a compatible donor (allogeneic). These modified cells undergo isolation, amplification, and are later reintroduced into the patient. Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) present a versatile approach to cell reprogramming, facilitating the transfer of RNA responsible for protein expression or gene editing.
Vaccines
Lipid nanoparticle has played a pivotal role in expediting the development of vaccines, as demonstrated by Pfizer and Moderna in the COVID-19 pandemic response. It allows for precise and high-throughput screening of potential vaccine candidates. The technology facilitates rapid testing, antigen formulation, and optimization of vaccine delivery systems.
Other Areas
Other applications including cosmetics, medical imaging, nutrition, agrochemicals, etc.
The cosmetics sector stood at the forefront in acknowledging and utilizing nanotechnology advancements in diverse product innovations. Liposomal cosmetic formulations are expected to offer several benefits, including improved stability and effectiveness, along with successful ingredient penetration into the skin. A variety of liposomal cosmetics are currently in use.
Application Webinars:
NanoGenerator™ LNP Synthesis & Application Webinar with ProMab Biotechnologies
Lipid nanoparticle LNP application in gene editing, CRISPR-Cas9
Publications
Related Products
Industry News
Lipid Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Advances
