Physicochemical tools for nanocarrier development: Why orthogonal techniques provide the complete picture

With the increasing interest in complex APIs, such as LNPs, ATMPs or other nanoparticle-based drug products, the analytical approaches to develop and test these must adapt to the new challenges. Methods such as size exclusion chromatography, which are traditionally used for analysis of protein-based drug products, are not applicable to large APIs. Other analytical techniques must step in.

In this webinar, we present high-throughput Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements as a method for the development of nanoparticle-based drug products. High-throughput DLS is the ideal screening tool to identify promising candidates for low-throughput techniques like Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation coupled with Multi Angle Light Scattering Detection (AF4-MALS), Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC), Videodrop Analysis and/or Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA).

After a short introduction into the fundamentals of the presented methods, we will discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses in detail. We will present results that were collected by DLS, AF4-MALS, Videdrop, AUC and NTA on a nanoparticle-based drug carrier containing RNA payloads. We are looking at colloidal dispersions for which size and size distributions are crucial parameters. This seminar will address the question why well-developed analytical procedures are important to gather high-quality data and why the application of orthogonal techniques is crucial for the interpretation of results.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Recognize why traditional methods fail for nanoparticle-based APIs.
• Understand benefits of high-throughput DLS and AF4-MALS
• Orthogonal characterization methods for nanoparticle-based drug products

Presenter: Marius Schmid, Ph.D. (Zentriforce Pharma)

Dr. Marius Schmid is the co-founder and CEO of Heidelberg-based Zentriforce Pharma Research GmbH, a CRO that specializes in hydrodynamic analysis techniques for biopharma and gene therapy products. He gained extensive experience in the field as a senior scientist and Head of the AUC and AF4 group at Coriolis Pharma and as a post-doctoral fellow at the NCMH in Nottingham.