THE POSTPANDEMIC FUTURE
Steve G Papermaster Nano of Nanotechnology
The Post-Pandemic Future of Nanotechnology
The COVID-19 pandemic helped to actualize the potential of messenger (m)RNA vaccines, which had been years in the making.
NANOTECH
Steve G Papermaster NanoThe COVID-19 pandemic helped to actualize the potential of messenger (m) RNA vaccines, which had been years in the making. Underpinning the success of these vaccines were the lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that protected them and enabled them to be delivered safely into the cells. LNPs represent the progress of nanotechnology and the potential it holds for the post-pandemic future.
While various vaccines were deployed in the fight against COVID-19, the two mRNA vaccines that relied on LNPs were among those rolled out on a large scale that helped to reduce the number of reported cases. Even as variants to the virus emerged, nanotechnology looked to hold the key to tackling the challenges raised by these variants.
LIPID NANOPARTICLE TECHNOLOGY
Lipid nanoparticle technology was made possible by the discovery of liposomes in the mid-1960s, which held the potential to encapsulate small-molecule drugs and enhance their solubility. Since then, the technology has been refined and improved to create lipid nanoparticles that can be extremely versatile in delivering medicinal drugs.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were far from the first successful showing involving lipid nanoparticles. In 1995, an LNP-based formulation for delivering an antitumor drug was the first approved liposomal drug, opening the way for other formulations to be used in the treatment of certain diseases.
LIPID NANOPARTICLE TECHNOLOGY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE DISCOVERY OF LIPOSOMES IN THE MID-1960S, WHICH HELD THE POTENTIAL TO ENCAPSULATE SMALL-MOLECULE DRUGS AND ENHANCE THEIR SOLUBILITY.
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