An antibody-LNP conjugate is a hybrid therapeutic system where a monoclonal antibody (or antibody fragment) is covalently or non-covalently linked to a lipid nanoparticle formulation. The LNP acts as a carrier, often encapsulating therapeutic cargo such as messenger RNA (mRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), DNA, or small molecules. The antibody provides a targeting mechanism, guiding the LNP specifically to cells or tissues that express a particular surface antigen. This combination yields a delivery vehicle that is not only capable of protecting and transporting delicate payloads, but also achieves tissue- or cell-type specificity that conventional LNPs lack. As a result, antibody-LNP conjugates stand at the intersection of nanomedicine and targeted immunotherapy, unlocking therapeutic possibilities that were previously unattainable. Alfa Chemistry has developed the antibody-LNP conjugates platform. By leveraging advanced conjugation strategies, this platform enables active targeting of specific cells and tissues, offering a powerful tool for next-generation precision medicine.
Why Conjugate Antibodies to LNPs?
- Enhanced Targeting: While traditional LNPs rely largely on passive biodistribution and physicochemical properties, antibody conjugation adds an active targeting dimension. By recognizing and binding specific receptors, antibody-LNP conjugates can selectively deliver their payloads to diseased cells, sparing healthy tissues.
- Improved Therapeutic Index: Targeted delivery reduces systemic exposure, thereby lowering toxicity risks while maintaining or enhancing efficacy. This is especially critical for nucleic acid-based therapies that can trigger immune responses if distributed non-specifically.
- Versatility: The modular nature of antibody-LNP systems allows researchers to pair a wide variety of payloads with antibodies directed against different targets. This adaptability supports rapid therapeutic customization and pipeline expansion.
- Overcoming Delivery Barriers: Some tissues, such as tumors or the central nervous system, are notoriously difficult to penetrate with conventional LNPs. Antibody-mediated targeting provides an avenue to overcome these biological barriers.
- Enabling Next-Generation Therapeutics: Antibody-LNP conjugates provide a pathway to realizing the potential of emerging therapies, including mRNA vaccines, gene-editing tools, and RNA interference drugs, by ensuring they reach the right cells at the right time.
Our Antibody-LNP Conjugates Platform
Our antibody-LNP conjugates platform is built on proprietary LNP technology combined with a portfolio of optimized antibody conjugation strategies. At its core, the platform is designed to maximize the precision of therapeutic delivery without compromising the stability or functional integrity of either component. Key features of our platform include:
- Proprietary LNP Formulations: Optimized for high encapsulation efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility.
- Versatility in Targeting: Capable of conjugating antibodies against a wide range of targets, including tumor-associated antigens and immune checkpoint molecules.
- Compatibility with Diverse Cargos: Supports delivery of mRNA, siRNA, saRNA, small molecules, and proteins, thereby meeting the demands of different therapeutic modalities.
- Customizable Antibody Options: Capability to conjugate full-length monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments (Fab, scFv), or engineered variants depending on therapeutic needs.
- Scalable Manufacturing: Processes designed to transition seamlessly from research-grade to GMP-compliant production.
To achieve efficient and stable conjugation of antibodies, we have developed multiple proprietary strategies to achieve optimal conjugation:
- Covalent Coupling via Linkers
- Utilization of cleavable or non-cleavable linkers that form stable bonds between antibody functional groups (e.g., amine, thiol) and lipid headgroups.
- Allows for controlled release or permanent attachment, depending on the therapeutic strategy.
- Click Chemistry Approaches
- Bio-orthogonal reactions (such as azide-alkyne cycloaddition) that ensure high specificity and efficiency under mild conditions.
- Preserves antibody activity and avoids damage to encapsulated payloads.
- Exploiting Fc receptor binding, hydrophobic interactions, or electrostatic forces to attach antibodies without chemical modification.
- Offers flexibility and ease of optimization for rapid screening.
- Site-Specific Conjugation
- Advanced engineering approaches to ensure antibodies are conjugated at predetermined sites, maintaining their antigen-binding orientation and maximizing targeting efficiency.
Each method can be tailored to match the intended therapeutic use, target cell type, and payload, enabling us to provide bespoke solutions for different drug development pipelines.
How Can Our Platform Help You?
The antibody-LNP conjugates platform opens new horizons for both basic research and clinical therapeutics. Some of the most promising applications include:
01Oncology: Our platform enables precise delivery of therapeutic payloads such as siRNA, mRNA, or small molecules directly to tumor cells, minimizing off-target effects and systemic toxicity.
02Immunotherapy: By directing RNA payloads to specific immune cell subsets, such as T cells or dendritic cells, our platform enables precise modulation of immune responses, supporting both cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development.
03Genetic Disorders: Many genetic diseases require targeted delivery to specific tissues. Antibody-LNP conjugates enhance delivery precision, potentially overcoming barriers to treating rare disorders with RNA-based medicines.
04Infectious Diseases: Antibody-LNP conjugates can be engineered to deliver antiviral RNAi molecules or mRNA vaccines directly to infected tissues or key antigen-presenting cells. This targeted approach enhances immune response potency, improves vaccine efficacy, and minimizes unintended interactions with non-target tissues.
05Neurological Applications: Through antibodies that recognize brain endothelial or neuronal markers, our platform holds promise for crossing the blood–brain barrier and enabling novel therapies for neurodegenerative conditions.
06Precision Medicine Research: Beyond therapeutic applications, the platform supports translational research by enabling precise control over RNA delivery in vitro and in vivo, facilitating new discoveries in disease mechanisms and treatment strategies.
Whether applied in oncology, immunotherapy, or genetic medicine, this technology opens new frontiers for RNA therapeutics and precision medicine. With our proprietary conjugation methods and scalable processes, we are committed to advancing this platform toward clinical translation and supporting our partners in developing breakthrough therapies for patients worldwide.
Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
