Evonik said that it intends to use rPEGs, which were first developed at JGU, for its platform of specialized lipids to expand the company’s toolbox of technologies for nucleic acid-based medicines. Technical grade rPEG-lipids are expected to be available in the second half of 2024.

PEGs are polymers that have been used in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 30 years to improve the bioavailability, stability, targeting and performance of therapeutics. rPEG polymers have similar properties to PEGs but have a different structure that is intended to offer an improved immunogenicity profile. According to Evonik, they are especially suitable for pharmaceutical applications such as in lipids for lipid nanoparticle (LNP) carriers.

“When scientists at the University of Mainz approached us with their groundbreaking work on rPEGs, we immediately recognized the potential for broader formulation options and the benefits this could bring our customers,” said Thomas Riermeier, head of the Health Care business line at Evonik.

“With Evonik, we have found an enthusiastic and experienced partner to bring rPEG-lipids globally to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Holger Frey, professor at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, who first developed rPEG polymers together with his research group.