CordenPharma International and pHLIP, Inc. entered into a strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize the pHLIP-LNP targeted delivery platform for RNA-based and genetic therapeutics. The alliance combines CordenPharma’s Lipid NanoParticle (LNP) technology and GMP manufacturing expertise with pHLIP’s pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) targeted delivery technology and drug development expertise to formulate (pHLIP) coated LNPs for use by biopharmaceutical companies seeking to deliver mRNA-based and gene therapy payloads.

The alliance will also enable CordenPharma and pHLIP to collaborate in developing and manufacturing small molecule drug payloads directly conjugated with (pHLIP) peptides for biopharmaceutical companies seeking to selectively target their small molecular payloads into cells in acidic diseased tissues. CordenPharma serves as the CDMO supplier in the GMP manufacture of pHLIP peptides and (pHLIP) drug conjugates.

Michael Quirmbach, CordenPharma CEO & President, said, “CordenPharma is proud to participate in this alliance with pHLIP, as it represents a great synergy of cutting-edge technology and lipid, peptide, conjugate and LNP expertise which brings a potentially game-changing delivery platform to the LNP-based drug development field. Our collaboration allows access to effective, precisely targeted LNP delivery of RNA, DNA, and gene therapy payloads across various important therapeutic indications.”

Yana Reshetnyak, pHLIP Co-Founder, CEO & President, staid, “I am very excited about the potential scientific, medical, and commercial benefits of the pHLIP-LNP delivery platform to address large unmet medical needs in the field of RNA and gene therapies. pHLIP peptides insert across the membranes of acidic cells, including cancer cells, activated macrophages and fibroblasts, to deliver drugs directly into the cytoplasm. Also, prior research has shown that pHLIP can target a variety of nanoparticles, including lipid nanoparticles, to tumors, where it promotes more efficient intracellular delivery of encapsulated payloads.”