BioNTech SE and Matinas BioPharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on redefining the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids and small molecules with its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform technology, announced that they have entered into an exclusive research collaboration to evaluate the combination of mRNA formats and Matinas’ proprietary LNC platform technology. The parties will closely collaborate on formulation, optimization, and in vitro testing.

Exclusive collaboration combines BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine development expertise and Matinas’ LNC Delivery Platform Technology to advance novel formulations for mRNA vaccines, including a potential formulation for oral vaccines.

Ugur Sahin, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of BioNTech, said:

We pioneered the treatment of the first patient in history with nano-sized lipid-encapsulated mRNA back in 2015, after years of extensive research. Accomplishing strong immune responses with low doses are crucial in the development of well-tolerated and highly effective vaccines. This can be achieved with the right technology that enables targeted vaccine delivery. Matinas’ LNC platform demonstrates encouraging capabilities for intracellular delivery, including the opportunity for oral delivery. We are excited to collaborate with this extraordinary team of experts.

Jerome D. Jabbour, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Matinas, said:

This collaboration with BioNTech is an important validation from a leading global biotech company with demonstrated expertise in the design, formulation, and delivery of mRNA. We are thrilled to partner with this world-class organization to further demonstrate the capabilities of our LNC platform, and potentially provide an opportunity for the oral administration of vaccines or other treatments. Intracellular delivery remains a significant challenge for many emerging therapies and the combination of oral bioavailability with non-immunogenic transfection could potentially benefit tens of millions of patients around the world.

Under the terms of the agreement, Matinas will receive an upfront access fee to work exclusively with BioNTech, as well as additional research funding from BioNTech. The parties have also commenced discussions on a license agreement for Matinas’ LNC platform technology.