20Med Therapeutics

20Med Therapeutics is a Dutch biotechnology company specializing in the development of RNA and DNA-based vaccines and therapeutics using proprietary bioresponsive polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs). The company's non-viral delivery platform is designed to overcome challenges associated with traditional lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems for mRNA vaccines. 20Med's technology focuses on improving thermostability, which could potentially eliminate the need for frozen storage of mRNA vaccines. The PNP platform works by binding mRNA to large-chain molecules called polymers, protecting it from degradation caused by heat or other stresses. Once inside target cells, the protective polymers are selectively degraded, leaving only the mRNA.

The company's platform offers several advantages, including development speed, ease of manufacture, stability, cost-effectiveness, and freedom to operate. 20Med Therapeutics is particularly focused on developing thermostable vaccines for infectious diseases, aiming to address inequitable global distribution of medical innovations. In February 2023, the company partnered with CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) to advance thermostable vaccine technology, with a specific focus on influenza vaccines. This collaboration aims to tackle barriers to wider application and distribution of mRNA-based vaccines that currently use LNPs as delivery vehicles.

In April 2023, 20Med Therapeutics announced a collaboration with Touchlight, a biotechnology company specializing in enzymatic DNA production. This partnership aims to establish a novel vaccination platform combining Touchlight's rapid enzymatic doggybone DNA platform with 20Med's bioresponsive polymer nanoparticle technology. The collaboration has already yielded promising preclinical data, demonstrating the potential of nanoparticle-formulated doggybone DNA to produce strong neutralizing antibodies and durable T cell responses following vaccine administration.

Key customers and partnerships

20Med Therapeutics has established significant partnerships to advance its technology. In February 2023, the company partnered with CEPI to develop thermostable vaccines for influenza. This collaboration aims to improve vaccine accessibility in regions with less developed cold-chain networks. In April 2023, 20Med Therapeutics entered into a partnership with Touchlight to combine their respective technologies for a novel vaccination platform.