Lipid & Drug Delivery Solutions

Diverse Lipid Delivery Platforms: LNPs, Liposomes & Conjugates

We offer a technology-agnostic approach, designing the optimal delivery vehicle based on your payload properties (hydrophobicity, charge, molecular weight) and clinical targets. Our capabilities cover the entire spectrum of lipid nanotechnology.

Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs)

• Next-Gen mRNA Delivery: Optimized 4-component formulations (ionizable lipid, helper lipid, cholesterol, PEG-lipid) for vaccines and protein replacement.
• Proprietary Lipid Libraries: Access to a diverse library of biodegradable and high-potency ionizable lipids for improved endosomal escape.
• High Encapsulation Efficiency: Achieving >90% encapsulation for RNA payloads using precision microfluidics.
• Tissue-Specific Targeting: Tuning surface charge and lipid composition to target liver, lungs, spleen, or immune cells.

Custom Liposome Formulation

• Versatile Payload Loading: Specialized techniques (remote loading, passive loading) for hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.
• Stealth Technology: PEGylated liposomes to evade reticuloendothelial system (RES) clearance and extend circulation half-life.
• Functionalized Surface: Conjugation with antibodies, peptides, or carbohydrates for active tumor targeting.
• Stimuli-Responsive Systems: pH, temperature, or enzyme-triggered release mechanisms.

Lipid-Drug Conjugates (LDCs)

• Pharmacokinetic Modulation: Covalent linking of fatty acids or phospholipids to small molecules to improve lymphatic transport.
• Prodrug Engineering: Enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble Class II/IV drugs.
• Self-Assembling Nanostructures: Designing conjugates that spontaneously form supramolecular structures in aqueous media.
• Controlled Hydrolysis: Linker chemistry optimization to ensure drug release at the target site.

Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles

• Best-of-Both-Worlds: Combining the mechanical stability of polymeric cores (PLGA, PLA) with the biomimetic properties of lipid shells.
• High Stability: Preventing drug leakage and protecting genetic cargo from enzymatic degradation.
• Co-Delivery Capability: Simultaneous loading of chemotherapeutics and nucleic acids for synergistic therapy.
• Scalable Manufacturing: Robust single-step or two-step nanoprecipitation processes.

Exosome-Mimetic & Biomimetic Systems

• Natural Membrane Integration: Incorporating cell membrane proteins into synthetic lipid vesicles for immune evasion.
• Homotypic Targeting: utilizing cancer cell membrane coatings for targeted tumor accumulation.
• Enhanced Biocompatibility: Reduced immunogenicity compared to purely synthetic carriers.
• Scalable Alternatives: Production of "artificial exosomes" with controllable composition and loading.

One-Stop Services: From Lipid Synthesis to Nanoparticle Formulation

BOC Sciences eliminates supply chain bottlenecks by integrating raw material synthesis with drug product formulation. Our seamless workflow ensures quality control from the starting material to the final nanoparticle.

Custom Lipid Synthesis & Manufacturing

• Synthesis of high-purity lipids: phospholipids (DSPC, DOPE), cationic lipids (DOTAP), and PEG-lipids.
• Design and synthesis of novel ionizable cationic lipids with tailored pKa for optimal RNA delivery.
• cGMP-ready synthesis capabilities for critical excipients.
• Synthesis of fluorescent or isotope-labeled lipids for biodistribution tracking.

Formulation Feasibility & Screening

• Rapid screening of lipid libraries to identify the best carrier for your specific API.
• Microfluidic mixing technology for precise control of particle size (50 nm – 200 nm) and low polydispersity index (PDI).
• Optimization of buffer exchange, purification (TFF/Dialysis), and concentration processes.
• Proof-of-concept studies with reporter genes (e.g., Luciferase, GFP mRNA).

Payload Encapsulation & Loading

• Nucleic Acids: mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, plasmid DNA, oligonucleotides.
• Small Molecules: Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic drugs, high potency APIs (HPAPIs).
• Biologics: Proteins, peptides, Cas9 RNP complexes.
• Calculation and optimization of encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%).

Surface Modification & Bioconjugation

• Post-insertion techniques for adding targeting ligands (Antibodies, Aptamers, GalNAc).
• Surface charge modulation (Zeta potential adjustment) to influence biodistribution.
• Click chemistry and maleimide-thiol coupling for stable ligand attachment.
• Surface shielding coating optimization to minimize serum protein adsorption (Protein Corona).

Advanced Analytical Characterization

• Physical: Particle size (DLS), morphology (Cryo-TEM/SEM), surface charge (Zeta).
• Chemical: Lipid quantification (HPLC-CAD/ELSD), drug content, impurity profiling (LC-MS).
• Stability: Thermal stability, colloidal stability, and payload integrity (Gel electrophoresis/Capillary Electrophoresis).
• In Vitro: Cell transfection efficiency, cytotoxicity (MTT/CCK-8), and hemolysis assays.

Scale-Up & Tech Transfer

• Process transfer from bench-scale (mL) to pilot-scale (L).
• Continuous flow manufacturing implementation for batch consistency.
• Establishment of Critical Process Parameters (CPPs) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs).
• Sterile filtration and fill-finish support for preclinical animal studies.

Why Partner with BOC Sciences?

• Vertical Integration: We are unique in our ability to synthesize the raw lipids and develop the formulation in-house, significantly reducing timelines and costs.
• Proprietary Lipid Access: Access to a growing library of ionizable lipids and structural analogs free from complex IP restrictions for research use.
• Technology Agnostic: We offer LNPs, liposomes, micelles, and polymer hybrids, ensuring unbiased recommendations for your specific drug.
• Advanced Equipment Fleet: Equipped with NanoAssemblr® systems, high-pressure homogenizers, and Cryo-TEM for state-of-the-art development.
• Regulatory Support: Detailed CoA, TSE/BSE-free certificates, and support for IND-enabling documentation.
• Flexible Business Models: Fee-for-service (FFS) or Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) models tailored to your R&D budget and milestones.
• Expert Team: A multidisciplinary team of organic chemists, formulation scientists, and biologists dedicated to your project's success.

Our Formulation Development Roadmap

BOC Sciences employs a systematic, Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach to lipid nanoparticle development. Our workflow is designed to de-risk your program early, ensuring that the transition from benchtop to preclinical manufacturing is seamless and scalable.

Project Consultation & Target Product Profile (TPP)

We begin by defining the target product profile (TPP) based on your API properties (mRNA, siRNA, small molecule) and clinical goals. This involves the early establishment of critical attributes—route of administration (IV/IM/SC), tissue targeting requirements, and stability goals—to align the development path with future IND filings.

Rational Design & Lipid Selection

Selection of the optimal lipid quartet (ionizable, helper, cholesterol, PEG) is tailored to the specific payload. We leverage our internal library of high-performance ionizable lipids and biodegradable analogs to bypass intellectual property bottlenecks and ensure Freedom-to-Operate (FTO).

Microfluidic Prototyping (Feasibility)

Utilizing advanced microfluidic mixing (e.g., NanoAssemblr®), we generate prototype formulations at the microliter scale (100 µL - 1 mL). Our miniaturized screening process is optimized to conserve expensive payloads (like mRNA) while rapidly identifying candidates with high encapsulation efficiency and uniform particle size.

Process Optimization (DoE)

We move beyond trial-and-error by applying design of experiments (DoE). By systematically varying critical process parameters (CPPs)—such as flow rate ratios (FRR), N/P ratios, and mixing speeds—we identify the optimal operating window that maximizes potency and stability.

Downstream Processing (DSP) & Validation

We optimize tangential flow filtration (TFF) or dialysis processes to efficiently remove solvents and free drugs without damaging the nanoparticles. This is followed by rigorous in vitro testing (transfection efficiency, cytotoxicity/viability assays) to validate the formulation's biological activity before animal studies.

Scale-Up & Tech Transfer

We implement continuous flow manufacturing to scale from milliliters to liters with consistent CQAs. The final deliverable includes a comprehensive development report, master batch records (MBR), and robust SOPs to facilitate smooth transfer to GMP manufacturing facilities.

Explore the Applications of Our Lipid Delivery Solutions

mRNA Vaccines & Infectious Diseases

We specialize in developing high-performance LNPs that solve the critical instability issues of mRNA therapeutics. By optimizing the pKa of ionizable lipids and the density of the PEG-lipid shell, our formulations effectively protect fragile mRNA transcripts from nuclease degradation during systemic circulation while promoting rapid endosomal escape upon cellular uptake. This ensures robust protein expression and potent immune responses, accelerating the development of vaccines for viral pathogens and protein replacement therapies.

Gene Therapy & Genome Editing (CRISPR/Cas9)

Delivering large gene-editing machinery remains a significant bottleneck in genetic medicine. Our lipid-polymer hybrid systems are engineered to stably co-encapsulate Cas9 mRNA/sgRNA or Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes with high efficiency. By fine-tuning the internal core structure and surface charge, we facilitate the nuclear entry of editing tools while minimizing off-target effects and cytotoxicity, providing a safe and reliable vehicle for correcting genetic disorders ex vivo or in vivo.

Targeted Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery

To maximize the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutics and reduce systemic side effects, we design functionally engineered surface-functionalized nanoparticles. These systems leverage both the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and active targeting strategies by conjugating ligands—such as hyaluronic acid (HA), RGD peptides, or antibody fragments—to the lipid shell. This dual-targeting approach ensures preferential accumulation in the tumor microenvironment and enhanced uptake by specific cancer cell lines.

Immunotherapy & Vaccine Adjuvants

Our lipid-conjugate platforms serve as powerful tools for next-generation immunotherapy by acting as both delivery vehicles and self-adjuvants. By precisely controlling particle size and surface chemistry, we enable targeted delivery of antigens and immunomodulators directly to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the lymph nodes. The combination of membrane-fusing lipids and stabilizing polymers allows for sustained antigen release, triggering robust T-cell activation and durable immunological memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

Contact Us

• What is the difference between standard Liposomes and Lipid Nanoparticles?

  Liposomes are vesicular structures featuring a lipid bilayer surrounding an aqueous core, primarily used for encapsulating hydrophilic drugs or amphiphilic molecules. In contrast, Lipid Nanoparticles typically possess a solid, electron-dense core formed by electrostatic interactions between ionizable lipids and nucleic acid payloads. LNPs are currently the industry standard for mRNA and siRNA delivery due to their superior stability, higher encapsulation efficiency, and engineered endosomal escape capabilities.

• Can you synthesize proprietary ionizable lipids for my project?

  Absolutely. We offer comprehensive custom synthesis services to support your intellectual property goals. Whether you need specific head-group modifications, optimized hydrophobic tail lengths, or biodegradable linkers to tune pharmacokinetics, our lipid chemistry team can synthesize unique structures from scratch. We allow clients to retain full IP rights for these custom-designed lipids, facilitating your freedom-to-operate in the competitive nucleic acid delivery landscape.

• What types of payloads can your lipid delivery systems accommodate?

  Our platform is highly versatile, capable of encapsulating a diverse range of therapeutic cargoes. For nucleic acids, we can accommodate everything from small siRNA (~20 bp) and antisense oligonucleotides to large self-amplifying mRNA constructs (~10 kb) and plasmid DNA. For small molecules, we handle both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds (including high-potency APIs), optimizing the lipid core matrix or aqueous interior respectively to maximize drug loading capacity.

• Do you offer sterile manufacturing for preclinical animal studies?

  Yes, we prioritize safety for your in vivo applications. We perform sterile filtration (using 0.22 µm filters) in controlled cGMP-certified cleanroom environments and offer aseptic fill-finish services into vials. This ensures that the final lipid nanoparticle batches meet the strict sterility and endotoxin limits required for GLP preclinical toxicology studies, pharmacokinetic evaluations, and efficacy trials in various animal models.

• What quality standards and documentation do you provide for IND support?

  BOC Sciences operates under rigorous quality management systems aligned with global pharmaceutical standards. For every batch delivered, we provide a comprehensive CoA detailing purity, particle size, PDI, and encapsulation efficiency. We also supply TSE/BSE-free statements and detailed impurity profiling (LC-MS). While we focus on research and preclinical grades, our robust data packages and master batch records (MBRs) are designed to support your IND/IMPD filing requirements seamlessly.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Publications

This section showcases academic publications from international research teams using BOC Sciences' products and services, highlighting our industry impact in lipid supply and R&D.

• An advanced TALSPEAK concept for separating minor actinides. Part 2. Flowsheet test with actinide-spiked simulant. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 35.6 (2017): 396-407. DOI: 10.1080/07366299.2017.1368945.
• Development and validation of rapid and simultaneous method for determination of 12 hair-growth compounds in adulterated products by UHPLC–MS/MS. Forensic science international 284 (2018): 129-135. PMID: 29408720 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.12.042.
• Cuban Policosanol (Raydel®) Exerts Higher Antioxidant and Anti-Glycation Activities than Chinese Policosanol (BOC Sciences) in Reconstituted High-Density Lipoproteins: In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Zebrafish and Its Embryos. Pharmaceuticals 17.4 (2024): 406. DOI: 10.3390/ph17040406.
• Hopanoids, like sterols, modulate dynamics, compaction, phase segregation and permeability of membranes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Biomembranes (2019): 183060. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183060.
• The long-chain monounsaturated cetoleic acid improves the efficiency of the n-3 fatty acid metabolic pathway in Atlantic salmon and human HepG2 cells. Br J Nutr. 2019; 122(7): 755-768. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114519001478.

Client Testimonials

Industry Distribution of Custom Lipid Synthesis Clients

"BOC Sciences synthesized a custom ionizable lipid series based on our specific design requirements. The final products met our required purity standards (>98%) and were delivered within the agreed timeline. The provided analytical data verified the structural integrity needed for our initial screening phase."

— Dr. James Anderson, Principal Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry (USA)

"We commissioned the synthesis of a PEG-PLA-Lipid conjugate for a targeted delivery application. The technical team demonstrated precise control over the polymer chain length and polydispersity. The resulting conjugate showed consistent self-assembly behavior in our formulation tests, matching the technical parameters defined in the scope of work."

— Prof. Lucas Weber, Group Leader, Nanomedicine (Switzerland)

"During the scale-up of our siRNA-LNP formulation from milligram to gram quantities, the BOC Sciences team maintained the target particle size and encapsulation efficiency. The batch-to-batch consistency was satisfactory, and the technology transfer documents were prepared according to standard industry protocols."

— Ms. Eleanor Hughes, Director of Process Development (UK)

"We utilized BOC Sciences for the impurity profiling of a novel cationic lipid. They employed LC-MS and NMR methods to identify trace degradants that were relevant to our stability studies. The data reporting was detailed and factual, helping us to adjust our storage conditions accordingly."

— Dr. Amélie Dubois, QC Manager (France)

"Our project required a feasibility study for encapsulating a hydrophobic API. The formulation team proposed a lipid-polymer hybrid approach that achieved the necessary solubility and loading capacity for our preclinical models. The study was conducted systematically, and the final report provided clear data for the next development phase."

— Dr. Robert Mueller, Senior Formulation Scientist (Germany)

"We collaborated on optimizing the N/P ratios for an mRNA vaccine candidate. BOC Sciences provided formulation screening services and identified a composition that improved transfection efficiency compared to our internal control. Their technical support throughout the optimization process was professional and evidence-based."

— Dr. Sarah Mitchell, VP of R&D (USA)