Lung-targeting mRNA-lipid nanoparticles for the treatment of acute lung injury
Research Foundation for the State University of New YorkBusiness Announcement
State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced that this technology is a recipient of the latest round of seed funding through the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF), which provides grants to faculty inventors and scientists. This technology is a lung-targeting lipid nanoparticle (sLNP) system engineered for the precise delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to lung tissue, to treat acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The sLNPs are constructed from sulfonium lipids, which confer unique properties enabling selective accumulation in the lungs and robust, uniform expression of protein across all lung lobes. This approach sustains therapeutic protein expression directly within lung tissue while minimizing systemic exposure, thereby reducing potential side effects. What differentiates this technology is its lung specificity and the use of sulfonium lipid chemistry, which sets it apart from conventional amine-based lipid nanoparticles commonly used. Traditional LNPs lack organ selectivity, often requiring higher systemic doses that can increase toxicity and limit therapeutic efficacy, especially for lung diseases. In contrast, the sLNP platform enables targeted delivery and sustained local expression of therapeutics, overcoming the pharmacokinetic limitations and short half-life associated with systemic therapies. This targeted approach not only enhances therapeutic outcomes for ALI and ARDS but also opens avenues for treating other pulmonary inflammatory conditions and advancing pulmonary drug delivery. The technology’s novel combination of materials and delivery strategy positions it as a promising solution for unmet clinical needs in respiratory medicine.