New Reagent Delivers Biomolecules to Lung Tissue to Treat Lung Disease

On August 2, 2023, Altogen Biosystems announced and launched a new targeted reagent that can deliver biomolecules to the lungs, treating pulmonary diseases. According to the announcement, the drug has safely and effectively transported small molecules, DNA, RNA, and proteins to the lungs.

The treatment’s ability to target lung tissue makes it a unique tool for addressing pulmonary illnesses, including cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. The press release states, “The transfection reagent is a non-viral complex comprising nanoparticle-sized cationic liposomes that play a crucial role in facilitating the efficient delivery of cargo biomolecules into lung cells while avoiding the activation of the immune response.”

The lungs in vivo transfection kit can transport any negatively charged molecule into the lungs through intranasal, nebulized, or volatilized modes of administration. The company previously validated in vitro transfection reagents for lung cancer cell lines; however, this is the original launch of the in vivo kit.

According to the press release, the company had to overcome multiple challenges when developing an in vivo reagent. For example, the reagent must surpass the organism’s natural defense mechanisms. The reagent also must account for immune responses and mucosal clearance. While addressing these challenges, researchers must ensure that the products are delivered effectively and remain functional.

The kit’s pricing ranges from $495 to $11,100, depending on the volume. The 0.5 mL volume dose, which can be used for up to 10 injections, costs $495. A 1.5 mL kit for 30 injections is priced at $995. The 8 mL kits, which can be used for up to 160 injections, cost $5,900. The largest kit, 25 mL with 50 rat injections or 500 mouse injections, is the most expensive at $11,100.

“Altogen Biosystems Lungs In Vivo Transfection Kit was functionally validated using seven CDX xenograft models,” noted the company in the press release. These validation tools showed that the reagent was more effective than other delivery methods, which cannot target local lung regions.