One-component Janus dendrimers: a novel platform for efficient mRNA vaccine delivery

Introduction: Recent advances in mRNA technology and its delivery have enabled mRNA-based therapeutics into a new era of medicine (1). However, challenges persist in mRNA stability, expression duration, delivery efficiency, and target specificity. To address these challenges, we developed an one-component ionizable amphiphilic Janus dendrimer (IAJD) capable of efficiently delivering mRNA (2-3). This study demonstrates the stability and efficacy of IAJD97-based mRNA formulations as a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional LNPs, better suited for rapid responses to epidemiological crises.

Ralph S. Baric – Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Paul D. Brewer-Jensen – Research Specialist, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,; Lisa C. Lindesmith – RESEARCH SPECIALIST, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Michael L. Mallory – Research Scientist, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Samantha R. May – Research Specialist, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Mark R. Zweigart – Research Specialist, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Yongsheng Li – Professor, East China University of Science and Technology; Nathanael C. Moore – Student, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Sephideh Toshtzar – Student, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Jessica Vasserman – Student, Institute for RNA Innovation; Drew Weissman – Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Blare Williams – Student, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Dapeng Zhang – Professor, East China University of Science and Technology; Elena N. Atochina-Vasserman – Research Assistant Professor of Medicine, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Sydni Berkihiser – Research Specialist, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Jaclynn Meshanni – Postdoc, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Nathan Ona – Research Specialist, Institute for RNA Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine