BioNTech Announces development of Oral mRNA Vaccine!

On April 11, BioNTech announced an exclusive partnership with Matinas BioPharma to combine BioNTech's mRNA vaccine development expertise with Matinas' Lipid Nanocrystal (LNC) delivery platform technology, Advance the development of new dosage forms for mRNA vaccines, including a potential preparation for an oral vaccine. Matinas will receive an upfront exclusive entry fee from BioNTech as well as additional research funding. The parties have begun discussions on a license agreement for Matinas' LNC delivery platform technology.

Headquartered in New Jersey, Matinas has been in operation since 2013 and is focused on redefining the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids and small molecules using its LNC platform technology. The company's proprietary intracellular LNC platform is designed to safely deliver a wide range of potent drugs, including small molecules, blood-level limiting toxic drugs, nucleic acid polymers, proteins, peptides, vaccines and gene editing technologies. It is a natural, non-toxic and highly effective spiral crystal with a unique ability to be administered orally and through a variety of other routes.

Drug molecules are encapsulated in this layered design to protect them from harsh environmental conditions or enzymes before entering target cells. After non-destructive fusion with the cell membrane, the molecule is naturally released into the cell, avoiding the systemic toxicity that can occur with other drug platforms.

To date, the platform has been validated in multiple preclinical studies and is protected by a strong IP portfolio. To support all phases of further development, Matinas has begun operating an expandable GMP production facility.

Preclinical and clinical data suggest that this new technique can provide a solution for safe and effective intracellular delivery of small and larger, more complex molecules such as mRNA, DNA plasmids, antisense oligonucleotides and vaccines. The combination of unique mechanisms of action and flexible dosage forms and delivery pathways makes Matinas' LNC technology potentially one of the leading next-generation intracellular drug delivery vectors.

Matinas' drug candidates through the LNC platform include: 1) MAT2203, an oral formulation of amphotericin B for the treatment of severe invasive fungal infections (IFI); 2) Amikacin oral preparation MAT2501 for the treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM); 3) Lead product candidate LYPDISO™ (MAT9001) has the potential to be a best-in-class omega-3 fatty acid therapy for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Promoting prescription omega-3s to become more effective could put Matinas at the forefront of innovations in preventive cardiology and lipid metabolism.