A new technology for long-lasting mRNA therapy
Official title: A New Lipid Nanoparticle Technology Enabling Long-acting mRNA Therapy
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10867446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to deliver mRNA treatments for genetic disorders that could help your body produce proteins for a longer time, so you won't need to get the treatment as often.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $513,877 |
| NIH project number | 5R33HL168751-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic disorders that result from the loss of function of specific proteins.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to genetic disorders or those who do not require protein replacement therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology that enhances the effectiveness of mRNA therapy, particularly for genetic disorders. By improving the duration of protein expression from mRNA, this approach aims to reduce the need for frequent re-dosing, which is a common limitation of current therapies. The researchers have already shown promising results in laboratory settings, demonstrating that their new LNPs can significantly extend the time that proteins are produced in the body. The project will further optimize this technology and validate its safety and efficacy in more rigorous studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and longer-lasting treatments for genetic disorders, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with similar lipid nanoparticle technologies, particularly in the context of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Jinjun — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Shi, Jinjun
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.