At the end of May, all members of the Nano-Engine project gathered for the annual in-person consortium meeting hosted by SINTEF in Trondheim, Norway. During this meeting, each of the partners presented updates obtained during the first year of the project, which started on April 1st 2023, funded by the EU EIC Pathfinder (grant number 101098944) open program, with a focus on a targeted in vivo DNA-based gene editing technology for treating a broad range of diseases.
Particular focus was given on results shared by NanoCell Therapeutics describing a targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) formulation that works well in vitro, accompanied by some preliminary in vivo data suggesting the targeting and delivery of the formulation to the desired cell population. More results from currently on-going in vivo testing are eagerly awaited by the team and the entire consortium.
The lab members of Molly Stevens’ group from Karolinska Institutet and University of Oxford showcased the use of “Single-particle automated Raman-trapping analysis” (SPARTA) technology and signal enhancement strategies for lipid nanoparticle chemical analyses and provided insights into the first dataset collected on nanoparticles provided by NanoCell. In the next period, efforts will be put towards sensitivity-enhancing Raman-labelling-strategies of the different elements for further analyses and the advancement of computational data processing.
SINTEF presented the very first results using mass spectrometry technology for the bulk physicochemical characterization of the developed tLNPs. They are also exploring a technology for assessing the distribution and delivery of the different components of the formulation through tissues, upon intravenous injection. Further developments will be communicated in the near future.
At Universiteit Utrecht, next to participating in the in vitro assessment of the NanoCell-developed tLNPs, efforts have been made to explore different strategies to conjugate the targeting moieties, such as nanobodies or scFv, to the surface of the nanoparticles. In the next period, an alternative proof-of-concept approach will be assessed, aiming at establishing a robust, highly reproducible, and easy to scale up process to be applied for the production of tLNPs developed within this project.
The consortium was strengthened by the addition of QSAR lab team that recently joined the project. With their expertise in AI and machine learning, they will use currently obtained project data, as well as data deposited in public repositories, and apply computational modeling for the optimization of several aspects throughout the targeted nanoparticle formulation process. All team members were excited with the possibilities that this addition to the consortium can bring, and are looking forward to closely collaborating with the team of QSAR Lab.
Future plans towards the final goal of demonstrating preliminary safety and efficacy of a targeted nanoparticle technology-based therapy for CD19+ B cell malignancies were further discussed and aligned.
There was also time for visiting the SINTEF facilities! To check out pictures from our visit at the SINTEF facilities in Trondheim, and to get project updates first hand, follow us on LinkedIn.
