Transforming the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are nano-sized, lipid-based structures capable of encapsulating bio-active molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They can be engineered as precision delivery systems to transport therapeutic cargo in a controlled and targeted way within the body, influencing cellular behaviour and modulating biological pathways involved in both normal physiology and disease.

Regulation of inflammation is central to this approach. Persistent or dysregulated inflammation underpins many serious conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammatory disorders. By delivering specific bio-active signals directly to affected tissues, nanoparticle technologies can be used to shape how the innate immune system responds within damaged or diseased environments.

Our research has identified specific molecular cargo that influences immune system behaviour and plays a critical role in the control of inflammation. We are delivering this cargo using a targeted nanoparticle approach embedded within a biodegradable delivery system, designed to localise activity at the site of disease and support the transition from inflammation toward resolution and repair.

Inflammatory diseases can become trapped in the ‘inflammatory phase’ — a stage where the innate immune system should transition from defence to repair but fails to do so. This results in persistent inflammation, ongoing tissue damage, and an inability to restore normal function.

Our nanoparticle therapy is designed to intervene at this critical point by delivering targeted inflammation-modifying cargo that helps shift immune cells away from a pro-inflammatory state and toward pro-resolving behaviour, enabling the healing process to restart.

Our research is focused on developing a new generation of immune-modulating therapeutics. By combining expertise in immunology with precision nanoparticle delivery, we aim to translate this science into targeted treatments that restore immune balance and promote resolution in complex inflammatory diseases.