The Platform Technology
We are developing a DNA-based, state-of-the-art transdermal therapeutic vaccine platform to treat viral infections and different types of cancer.
Our APIs - disease-specific plasmid DNA constructs are formulated with a novel polymer excipient to create synthetic 'pathogen-like' particles. This formulation is essential for achieving a potent antigen expression from the plasmid DNA and antigen presentation by dendritic cells. This is critical for eliciting antigen-specific immune responses in people with chronic diseases.
The 'pathogen-like' particles—created with the help of a synthetic polymer (mannobiosylated linear polyethyleneimine, PEIm)—have the size and shape of spherical viruses that naturally evolved to deliver nucleic acids into the cells. These nanoparticles deliver the plasmid DNA into the cells similarly to viruses in a safe way as they cannot replicate.
Plasmid DNA construct development
The first step of our platform is to define our target disease. The next step is to select the optimal DNA sequences and insert them into a plasmid, this will be our active pharmaceutical ingredient. A certain sequence of the virus first needs to be modified to ensure the safety of the plasmid without creating an active virus. After this, the genetic material (plasmid DNA) can be manufactured in E. coli.
