Med-Tech Innovation editor Ian Bolland speaks to life sciences supplier Abcam about the company’s latest efforts to develop a new cell delivery solution that can potentially improve the therapeutic viability of molecules.
Human cell
How is your delivery method compatible with the rise of complex medicines, e.g. biologics?
Abcam is working in close collaboration with SomaServe, a University College London spin-out with a deep expertise in cell delivery solutions. SomaServe exploits a proprietary technology termed PolyNaut to image live cells and improve the therapeutic viability of molecules with poor pharmacokinetic and chemical properties. PolyNaut technology is a versatile nano-engineered polymer technology for in vivo intracellular delivery. The resulting polymer nanoparticle vesicle is known as ’the bionic nanoparticle’. The widely diverse polymer structure is highly flexible and can accept small molecules, peptides and proteins, antibodies, nuclear material, dyes and probes. The resulting nanoparticles then deliver their cargo to the interior of the cell, greatly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the encapsulated molecules. In addition, it is possible to functionalise the vesicle surface with targeting ligands to aid penetration of biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. This cell delivery technology can also be successfully employed to enhance live cell imaging, which is an early application of the SomaServe/Abcam partnership.
In addition to this, Abcam offers a number of key technologies that support scientists across the translational spectrum, from basic life sciences research through to the development of diagnostics and complex medicines such as biologics. Many of the scientists that we support are focused on helping to address an unmet clinical need, whether it be by developing faster, more accurate or new innovative diagnostics and stratification regimes, or treatments for conditions such as cancer or neurodegenerative disorders. Abcam has the technical expertise and capabilities to support innovative scientific discoveries while always maintaining constant quality and performance standards, from early- through to late-stage development. Our custom solutions offering is specifically well suited for this approach, leveraging our in-house capabilities and expertise to deliver tailored, flexible solutions, including but not limited to reagent generation, validation screens, custom assays and ISO standard manufacture.