The University of British Columbia

Bc Cancer Agency

Precision Nanosystems Inc.

Euan Ramsay

Andre Wild

Timothy Leaver

Robert James Taylor

Colin Walsh

Kevin Ou

Marcel B Bally

Aysha Ansari

Pieter Rutter Cullis

Shao Fang Shannon Chang

Nathan Maurice Belliveau

Keara Marshall

Anitha Thomas

R James Taylor

Gesine Heuck

Nicolas Klaassen

Shao Fang Chang

Pieter R Cullis

Nathan M Belliveau

The present disclosure is directed towards improved systems and methods for large-scale production of nanoparticles used for delivery of therapeutic material. The apparatus can be used to manufacture a wide array of nanoparticles containing therapeutic material including, but not limited to, lipid nanoparticles and polymer nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, continuous flow operation and parallelization of microfluidic mixers contribute to increased nanoparticle production volume.

Continuous flow microfluidic system

A 'smart' instrument for mixing (), a microfluidic chip (), and a system wherein they are used to prepare formulations is provided. The microfluidic chip comprises microchannels and a programmable data component. The system achieves optimal formulations for RNA, antisense, peptides and small molecules in the hands of even novice users.

Smart microfluidic mixing instrument and cartridges

The present disclosure is directed towards a disposable microfluidic cartridge configured for use in a system for the small scale production of nanoparticles used in scientific research or therapeutic applications. The system can be used to produce a wide variety of nanoparticles, including but not limited to lipid and polymer nanoparticles, carrying a variety of payloads. The system provides for a simple workflow which in certain embodiments can be used to produce a sterile product.

Disposable microfluidic cartridge

Transfection reagent composition, lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition, kits that include the transfection reagent composition, and methods for making and using lipid nanoparticles prepared from the transfection reagent composition. Lipids when dispersed in aqueous media readily form liposomes, such as unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes have been used successfully to encapsulate and deliver a wide range of chemicals including nucleic acids, proteins and small molecule drugs, to cells.

Lipid nanoparticles for transfection and related methods

Methods and devices for making particles at small volumes.

Device for formulating particles at small volumes

The present invention relates to the use of copper ions to achieve enhanced retention of a therapeutic agent within a liposome. The invention may be employed to more effectively deliver a liposomally encapsulated therapeutic agent to a target site in vitro and in vivo for anti-cancer or other therapy. The liposome may comprise an interior buffer solution containing the therapeutic agent, the solution having a pH less than 6.5 and most preferably approximating pH 3.5. At least some of the copper ions are retained within the interior solution. In a particular embodiment the therapeutic agent may be a chemotherapeutic drug, such as irinotecan. The invention may also comprise an ionophore to facilitate loading of drug into the liposome. In one particular embodiment the combination of the ionophore A23187 and encapsulated divalent copper (Cu2+) resulted in an irinotecan formulation that exhibited surprisingly improved drug retention attributes.

Liposomes with improved drug retention for treatment of cancer

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

Euan Ramsay