From HIV to COVID-19: The role of liposomal nanotechnology as an NDDS of choice

Arun Kedia, Managing Director,VAV Life Sciences, elaborates how NDDS have proved to be beneficial with applications across various medical therapies ranging from HIV to cancer to COVID-19 treatment

- Arun Kedia

Liposomes, the curious little spherical vesicles that closely resemble the structure of cell membranes, have been attracting a lot of attention in recent times. Known for their applications in the field of medical nanotechnology, these have been a subject of research since these were first discovered in the 1960s. Since then, scientists have found new ways to use these to develop robust and powerful drug delivery systems. The new mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines are the fine examples of modern drug delivery systems that use lipid nanotechnology to reach their target cellular sites.

A subject of research for several years now, liposomal nanotechnology has been used to successfully develop stable and reliable novel drug delivery systems (NDDS). These NDDS have proved to be beneficial with applications across various medical therapies ranging from HIV to cancer to COVID-19 treatment.

Decoding liposomes

Liposomes are very tiny nanoparticles that measure usually up to 100-300 nm in diameter. These are formed spontaneously when certain phospholipids are hydrated with water. Due to their nature, both water and fat-soluble active ingredients can be loaded onto these. These spherical liposome bubbles can be used to trap and stabilise a variety of compounds used in medications and ensure their safe passage through the body till these reach a specific target site. That's how these become ideal transport vehicles for drugs in targeted therapies like cancer or HIV.

These structures can deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds used in anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, immune-modulation, diagnostics, ophthalmic, vaccines, enzymes and genetic elements.

What makes these superior NDDS?