Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. (Tokyo) and Hokkaido University (Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan) have developed a new system for the production of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that incorporates a microfluidic device (devices with small channels ranging from a few micrometers to several hundred micrometers in width) as a component. Shin-Etsu Chemical will begin manufacturing this production system in April 2025, with Hokkaido-based Lilac Pharma Inc. serving as the distributor.
LNPs are nano-sized particles primarily composed of lipids, typically ranging in diameter from 10 nm to 1,000 nm. LNPs have been used in mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 and are expected to find broader applications in vaccines against various infectious diseases and cancer in the future. In recent years, LNP production methods using microfluidic devices have attracted attention both in Japan and internationally. LNPs are created by rapidly mixing lipid and nucleic acid precursor solutions. Using a microfluidic device in the process enables more precise control of the LNP particle size than conventional manufacturing methods. However, there was a productivity issue with LNP production methods, as they could only produce small amounts of particles at a time.
By combining Hokkaido University’s proprietary iLiNP microfluidic device with Shin-Etsu Chemical’s materials (primarily synthetic quartz) and processing technology, a microfluidic device has been developed that is suitable for use in mass production. Additionally, leveraging the system design expertise of our subsidiary Shin-Etsu Engineering, we have developed an LNP production system that mounts this microfluidic device and that complies with the GMP*3 requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A key advantage of this LNP production system using microfluidic devices is its ability to adjust production volumes with a single system according to demand. With just one square meter of space, a single piece of system can manufacture different types of LNPs—from small-batch, diverse nanomedicine for personalized medicine to mass-produced vaccines for infectious diseases. In the future, we aim to make this system into foundational infrastructure capable of manufacturing nanomedicine according to corporate needs during normal times and switching to vaccine production during pandemics.
Furthermore, the Shin-Etsu Chemical and Hokkaido University research group is developing an even more compact benchtop LNP production system for use in research and development, and aims to complete a prototype by the end of 2025. By providing a lineup of LNP production system appropriate for each stage, from R&D to mass production, we will enable a smooth transition to large-scale manufacturing.
Shin-Etsu Chemical will continue to leverage its technological capabilities and expertise to contribute to a sustainable society and industrial development.