Nanoparticle to be studied as vaccine adjuvant and drug delivery vehicle

Ottawa, ON – Guelph-based Glysantis Inc. and the National Research Council (NRC) are partnering to investigate the potential of Glysantis’ NanoGlys nanoparticle for biomedical applications. The partners are using NRC preclinical models to study how the nanoparticle could be used as a vaccine adjuvant, drug delivery vehicle, and medical imaging agent.

The nanoparticle is a naturally occurring, monodisperse organic nanomaterial extracted from plants.

The first phase of testing will confirm the safety of NanoGlys, as well as the nanoparticle’s ability to reach targeted biological sites and be cleared away thereafter. Future studies will explore if it can successfully deliver chemotherapeutic agents directly to diseased cells or tissue, and confirm its therapeutic efficacy. The feasibility studies will help to determine the most promising applications of the nanoparticle for further development.

“The development of new adjuvants and immunomodulators could have a major impact on the efficacy of many vaccines,” said Dr. Roman Szumski, NRC’s vice-president of life sciences. “The National Reseach Council is proud to participate in this innovative project with an up-and-coming Canadian life science company.”