Layer-by-layer precision delivery platform for intracellular mRNA, DNA, proteins and small molecules (LAPIS)

mRNA therapeutics and vaccines are moving fast, but their next wave will require delivery systems that go beyond conventional lipid nanoparticles. Companies developing advanced vaccines, gene therapies or combination products increasingly need carriers that are not only efficient, but also targetable, modular, scalable and compatible with multiple payload types.

Solution

To address that challenge, the VUB Laboratory of Neuro-Aging and Viro-Immunotherapy has developed a layer-by-layer precision delivery platform for intracellular mRNA, DNA, proteins and small molecules, also called 'LAPIS'.

LAPIS offers a versatile delivery technology for intracellular administration of mRNA, DNA, proteins and small molecules. Its layer-by-layer architecture enables rational design and stepwise functionalization, allowing the platform to be adapted to specific therapeutic or vaccine needs.

A key bottleneck of earlier layer-by-layer systems has been insufficient protein expression after mRNA delivery. LAPIS overcomes this limitation through the integration of cationic peptides, resulting in high-efficiency mRNA transfection and robust, reproducible protein expression in both in vitro and in vivo models.

The strength of LAPIS lies in its modularity. The platform can be functionalized with targeting ligands, adjuvants and immune modulators, and supports co-delivery of nucleic acids, proteins and small molecules. This creates opportunities for precision immunotherapy, next-generation vaccines, gene therapy applications and combination strategies where payload, targeting and immune activation need to be tuned together.

Competitive advantages

• Versatile and modular platform: Compatible with various payload 
• High transfection efficiency: Validated in murine and human immune cells
• Supports multiple therapeutic applications, including vaccines and targeted immune modulation
• Potent immune activation: Enhanced antigen presentation drives stronger immune responses in preclinical models
• Intrinsic adjuvanticity: Optimizing vaccine and immunotherapy applications

Ongoing developments

Currently at TRL 3, LAPIS has demonstrated strong translational potential, including potent immune activation and superior translatability compared with earlier layer-by-layer approaches. A patent application is pending: WO2025 051807 A1.

Collaboration details / Looking for

We are seeking industrial partners interested in testing, validating and co-developing the LAPIS platform toward TRL 5. The opportunity is particularly relevant for companies looking to expand beyond standard lipid nanoparticle delivery and explore a customizable, scalable and cost-effective platform for precision intracellular delivery.