Polyplus extends portfolio designed to support mRNA development
It has launched a transfection reagent for in vivo mRNA delivery using a preformed liposome to further support the growing demand of mRNA developers. It says its in-vivo-jetRNA+ supports in vivo mRNA delivery with liposomes and offers an alternative to lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).
mRNA delivery using in vivo-jetRNA+ can be used for vaccination purposes, anti-cancer studies, genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 method or protein replacement. The transfection reagent can be used to target unique or multiple organs, by using systemic injection routes, in various animal models including mice and rats.
“LNP technology, which is for the mRNA vaccines currently on the market, is an intensive process. Our in vivo-jetRNA+ come ready-to-use with a two-step protocol. A highly efficient formulation offers up to 100% mRNA encapsulation and the in vivo-jetRNA+ and mRNA liposomes are stable over time, unlike LNPs, which are extremely sensitive,” a spokesperson for the company told us.
The protocol involves the mixing of the mRNA with the transfection reagent, then the resulting solution is injected into the animals.
“There is no need for formulation, extra equipment, or to create a new recipe for each mRNA. In addition, the process is readily translatable to larger scale due to the stability of the liposomes. Consequently, in vivo-jetRNA+ is ideal for use in proof-of-concept studies. Furthermore, the liposomes formed using in vivo-jetRNA+ remain stable over time for both low and high mRNA concentrations, enabling its employment for many different applications and injection routes,” added the spokesperson.
The transfection reagent is designed to protect its payload against ubiquitous endonucleases, prevent non-specific interactions with proteins and promote efficient cell entry, according to the developer.
Asset building
Besides launching new products, Polyplus has been on the asset trail this year. In February, it acquired e-Zyvec, a France-based provider of DNA design and production services for tailor-made DNA vectors to expand expertise in plasmid DNA vector engineering.
The acquisition was seen as critical to Polyplus in terms of portfolio diversification - it gave it plasmid DNA engineering capability, thus providing synergies to its customers in terms of process efficiency.
And last year saw Polyplus investing for greater scale. Following funding in April 2020 from Warburg Pincus and ArchiMed, in January 2021, Polyplus initiated construction of Vectura, a 4,000m2 HQ and central facility in Strasbourg. Furthermore, in March last year, it acquired Biowire, a firm specializing in supporting life sciences tool and reagent companies to expand into Asia-Pacific.
