Elucidating the internal structure of RNA based therapeutics and vaccines

RNA based drug products, such as RNA therapeutics or mRNA vaccines, are complex self-assemblies of lipids and RNA, and researchers are working hard to understand how to best optimise these formulations to ensure stable products for efficacious delivery to different tissues and with different payloads. Established particle characterization techniques, such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) or Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) are critical tools to reports on sample size, polydispersity and zeta potential, helping us understand what is made and if it changes over time or in different conditions. Due to the inherent complexity of these particles, better understanding of the internal structure is emerging as important.

In this webinar we are sharing how more advanced techniques can be used to complement DLS and ELS. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) provides a “fingerprint” of the particle structure we can use to identify sample changes due to environmental stress or process changes. We also introduce Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), in particular how lab-based instruments, can help you probe nanoscale structural details inside the particles, without extensive sample preparation or labelling and how this can complement other techniques such as Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM).

About the series: Focus on Biopharmaceuticals

• Partnering for innovation: Learn about the collaboration between Malvern Panalytical and Xenocs and how the combination of our tools and expertise delivers innovative solutions for biophysical characterization
• Biologics Deep Dive: Explore orthogonal techniques for stability assessment of peptide-based therapeutics.
• A closer look at lipid nanoparticles (LNPs): Understand the structure and stability behavior of these complex drug delivery systems.

About the Malvern Panalytical & Xenocs collaboration

Malvern Panalytical brings decades of expertise in the characterization of (bio)pharmaceuticals, offering a suite of advanced analytical methods and instrumentation. Our technologies provide critical insights into:

• Higher-order structural changes and thermal stability
• Particle size distribution, aggregation propensity, polydispersity, and particle concentration
• Absolute molecular weight and molecular size

As a leader in Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Xenocs offers state-of-the-art solutions for the structural characterization of materials at the nanoscale. By merging advanced academic techniques with industrial applications in drug development, Xenocs' instrumentation provides unmatched insights into:

• Protein structural arrangements, including conformational states and multimer formation
• The structure and composition of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which are increasingly favored as drug delivery systems

Join us to explore how these advanced analytical techniques can be combined to drive innovation and ensure the success of your biopharmaceutical development efforts.