Integral Molecular and Optimeos Life Sciences announce a partnership to develop next-generation mRNA and DNA therapeutics that will use antibody-based molecular targeting to direct vaccines and gene therapies to relevant tissues in a patient’s body. This partnership combines Integral Molecular’s experience in antibody discovery and mRNA immunization with Optimeos’ technology for nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.
DNA and mRNA therapeutics harness a patient’s own molecular machinery to encode proteins. Integral Molecular and Optimeos plan to encapsulate these therapeutic molecules within nanoparticle spheres that are decorated with antibodies on the outer surface. The antibodies can then target the particles to specific tissues. Currently, gene therapies and mRNA vaccines are delivered into the body via infusion or injection, but only a fraction of the molecules arrive at their intended site. The proposed molecular targeting strategy has the potential to transform the delivery of vaccines and therapeutics by dramatically reducing dosages, decreasing toxicity, and enabling scalable administration.
Integral Molecular will apply its industry-leading antibody discovery expertise against complex cell-surface proteins to provide targeting moieties for the therapies. Its specialized MPS Antibody Discovery platform is tailored to work with challenging membrane protein targets and routinely uses mRNA-based immunization strategies. “Precision targeting of an isolated cell type with gene therapy holds great promise for genetic diseases and may provide brand-new directions in cancer immunotherapy including in vivo CAR-T cell therapeutics,” said Joseph Rucker, Co-founder and VP of R&D at Integral Molecular.
Optimeos’ technology allows the robust and scalable incorporation of mRNA and DNA therapeutics and other biologics into customizable nanoparticles. “We are excited to work with Integral Molecular towards the next generation of gene-therapy that no longer relies on viral-based delivery systems,” said Robert Prud‘homme, Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Optimeos.
Integral Molecular and Optimeos will be attending the BIO International Convention in San Diego later this month.