Technology name
Last update: Jul 2026Fusogenic Liposome-coated Porous Silicon Nanoparticles
Developer(s)
Type of technology
Inorganic nanoparticles
Administration route
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intravenous, Topical (Rectal), Transmucosal, Transdermal
Development state and regulatory approval
C-FNP (Chemosensitizing siRNA)
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Description
Fusogenic liposome-coated porous silicon nanoparticles represent a biodegradable drug delivery system for oligonucleotides, capable of bypassing endocytic pathways to facilitate direct cytoplasmic delivery. This system enables the release of the API from the nanoparticle core into the cell cytoplasm. The fusogenic liposome layer, which surrounds the silicon-based core, is functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance stability and circulation time
Developer(s)
University of California
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD), founded in 1960, is a leading research institution known for innovation in science and technology. UCSD excels in drug delivery research, focusing on nanomedicine, biomaterials, and targeted therapies. Its infrastructure includes advanced labs like the Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
Technology highlight
1. The API is encapsulated within the porous structure of the fusogenic liposomal nanoparticle. 2. The API is released into the cytoplasm through the shedding of the nanoparticle's fusogenic lipid coating, facilitating direct intracellular delivery. 3. The nanoparticle exhibits a high API loading capacity, allowing for the efficient delivery of therapeutic agents. 4. The formulation demonstrates low cytotoxicity, ensuring biocompatibility for in vitro and in vivo applications. 5. The fusogenic nanoparticles achieve 90–100% transfection efficiency due to enhanced cellular uptake through membrane fusion and endosomal escape.
Illustration(s)
Technology main components
a) Silicon-containing core b) Porous surface that is chemically linked to the core c) Plurality of cargo molecules that are physically associated with silicon-containing core material d) Metal silicate e) Fusogenic liposome coating with silicon-containing core material
The raw materials are obtained from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals.
Safety, Efficacy and Evidence Summary
Not provided
Not provided
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APIs compatibility profile
Oligonucleotides such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics are targeted for this fugogenic nanoparticle drug delivery system. Some examples of siRNA peptides that are targeted against Irf5 gene and Rev3l gene.
Fusogenic porous silicon nanoparticles have the capacity to securely deliver proteins to the targeted site, but the choice of protein for this delivery system is not disclosed.
Not provided
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75-90 wt%
1 single API :
Not provided
Scale-up and manufacturing prospects
Not provided
1. Teflon Etch 2. Square Wave Generator 3. Sonicator Bath 4. Liposome Extruder
Fusogenic Nanoparticle Manufacturing in Small Scale includes: Etch a silicon wafer in HF using square wave currents (50 mA/cm² for 0.6 s, 400 mA/cm² for 0.36 s) for 500 cycles. Detach the porous layer (3.7 mA/cm², 250 s), rinse with ethanol and water, and store silicon chips in RNase-free water. Sonicate chips (35 kHz, 12 h). Prepare DMPC, DSPE-PEG, and DOTAP lipid film, hydrate with siRNA-loaded calcium-coated nanoparticles, and extrude 20× through a polycarbonate membrane. Conjugate targeting peptides (1 mg/mL, 20 min), purify via 30 kDa filtration, and store at -80°C.
1. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) 2. Zeta Potential Analyzer 3. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) 4. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) 5. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 6. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) 7. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) 8. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) 9. Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) 10. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Excipients & delivery device(s)
No proprietary excipient used
No novel excipient or existing excipient used
No residual solvent used
No delivery device
Additional features
- Biodegradable
- Drug-eluting
Preclinical studies show that the fusogenic lipid-coated nanoparticles have very little initial burst release rate. It also proves that up to 75% of the API is released into the cells at 168 hours and complete release after 336 hours, i.e., 14 days.
Fusogenic porous silicon nanoparticles can be administered via intravitreal, intravenous, and subcutaneous injection.
Product Stability: Details regarding the formulation's stability are not disclosed. Nanoparticle Stability: The stability of the nanoparticles can be modified by adjusting their size to optimize the API payload.
Not provided
Therapeutic area(s)
- Other(s) : "Fibrosis, nosocomial and community acquired infections"
Not provided
Potential associated API(s)
- C-FNP (Chemosensitizing siRNA)
- T-FNP (Immune-modulating siRNA)
- VEGF-A (Vascular endothelial growth factor A siRNA) (VEGF-siRNA)
Use of technology
- Administered by a community health worker
- Administered by a nurse
- Administered by a specialty health worker
Weekly, Monthly
Targeted user groups
- Adults
- Older Adults
- All
Unspecified
Unspecified
Unspecified
Not provided
C-FNP (Chemosensitizing siRNA)
Oligonucleotides
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Solid Tumors
Not provided
Once weekly
Not provided
T-FNP (Immune-modulating siRNA)
Oligonucleotides
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Solid Tumors
Not provided
Once weekly
Not provided
VEGF-A (Vascular endothelial growth factor A siRNA) (VEGF-siRNA)
Oligonucleotides
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Diabetic retinopathy
Not provided
Once weekly
Not provided
Fusogenic liposome-coated porous silicon nanoparticles
The disclosure describes a fusogenic liposome-coated porous silicon nanoparticles for high loading efficiency of anionic payloads (small molecules, dyes, nucleic acids), and for non-endocytic delivery of hydrophilic and lipophilic payloads by membrane fusion. The liposome coating can be further modified with targeting peptides or antibodies via covalent binding chemistry between the ligands and functionalized poly(ethylene glycol). The surface moieties can be transferred to the cellular membrane surface by fusogenic uptake. The composition of the disclosure can be applied in the treatment of diseases by delivering entrapped/encapsulated payloads.
US10702474B2
Formulation
University of California San Diego UCSD
Not provided
July 8, 2038
Anticipated expiration
