Words by Isabel O’Brien
Marama Labs, a Dublin-based scientific instrumentation innovator, has launched CloudSpec, an instrument designed to accelerate the development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapies. These advanced drug formulations, crucial in gene therapies, vaccines and cancer treatments, are set to benefit from CloudSpec’s patented Scatter-Free Absorption (SFA) technology, which cuts analysis times from hours to seconds.
LNPs, which gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as carriers for RNA vaccines, are poised for huge growth. The LNP market is expected to expand sevenfold over the next decade, with new therapies to treat cancer and genetic disorders anticipated. However, current methods for quantifying drug payloads in LNPs are slow and labour-intensive, creating a bottleneck in nanomedicine development.
CloudSpec’s SFA technology aims to facilitate rapid and accurate analysis of intact nanoparticles without requiring fluorescent dyes or particle disruption. Measurements take 15 seconds compared to the two hours needed by traditional methods. The instrument’s purpose is to provide researchers with faster results while simplifying workflows.
Brendan Darby, CEO, Marama Labs, highlighted the potential of the tool: “We are thrilled to introduce the CloudSpec instrument to the market. This innovative technology represents a significant advancement in the field of nanomedicine, and we are confident that it will transform research with lipid nanoparticles.”
The launch is backed by industry, with Darren Andrews, Chief Commercial Officer, Marama Labs, noting that early users have expressed enthusiasm for moving away from standard fluorescence-based assays. “CloudSpec gets them over the drug assay bottleneck and will speed up delivery to market,” he said, noting that the technology was developed with key players in the RNA-LNP space to ensure its effectiveness.
