Scale-up and Production of Key Lipids Used in mRNA Delivery Systems

Vaccines based on mRNA technology demonstrated notable success during the COVID-19 pandemic. A crucial aspect of their efficacy lies in a formulation using lipid nanoparticles, enabling mRNA to enter the cell interior and initiate spike protein synthesis in the ribosomes. This formulation typically comprises four components, with particular emphasis on two: ionizable lipids and PEG lipids. To meet the demands of a large patient population during the pandemic, substantial quantities of lipids were required for vaccine production, necessitating a rapid scale-up of manufacturing processes.

This webinar will explore the specific requirements for industrializing processes in the production of ionizable lipids and PEG lipids, elucidating concepts to address typical challenges. Frequent restrictions include high molecular weight, the oily nature of pure substances, and the often absent chromophore. Both purification and analytics present unique challenges that must be carefully considered during synthesis.