Polymer Nanoparticle Formulations. From Drug to Delivery
We start with your compound and match it to the right polymer system. Our microfluidic platform produces characterized nanoparticle formulations at pilot scale, from chemistry matching through in-vivo proof-of-concept.
You have a promising compound. Now what?
Translating a drug molecule into an effective nanoparticle delivery system requires specialized polymer chemistry, microfluidic engineering, and characterization expertise that most research teams don't have in-house.
Polymer Selection Is Trial-and-Error
Most CROs iterate blindly through polymer options. Without systematic drug-polymer compatibility screening, you waste weeks testing incompatible systems before finding one that works, if you find one at all.
Scale-Up Breaks Your Formulation
Bench-top nanoprecipitation rarely translates to pilot scale. Batch-to-batch variability in size, PDI, and drug loading kills promising formulations before they ever reach animal studies.
No Platform Continuity
Outsourcing each step to a different CRO means lost context, repeated optimization, and months of delays. Your formulation team doesn't talk to your assay team doesn't talk to your animal team.
Drug-First, Polymer-Matched
We don't start with a polymer and hope your drug fits. We start with your drug's properties and systematically identify the optimal polymer system.
Your Drug
Solubility, LogP, MW, stability, target tissue
We profile everything about your molecule
Polymer Screening
6+ polymer systems evaluated for compatibility
Systematic matching, not random guessing
Optimal Match
Best polymer system for your specific molecule
Confirmed by encapsulation and release data
Our platform covers standard FDA-approved polymers, diblock copolymers, and custom synthesis through our collaborator network, so we never run out of options.
Our Service Pipeline
A structured, milestone-driven workflow. Each node is a specific scientific activity with defined techniques, methods, and deliverables. Branch nodes show parallel activities that happen alongside the main pipeline.
Modular by Design. Pick What You Need
You don't have to buy the whole pipeline. Need just polymer screening? Just formulation and characterization? Just in-vitro release? Engage for any set of nodes, or the full end-to-end program. We scope to your needs.
Drug Molecule Characterization
We begin by profiling your compound's physicochemical properties: solubility across pH ranges, partition coefficient (LogP), molecular weight, thermal stability, and degradation pathways. This data drives every downstream decision.
Chemistry Matching: Polymer Compatibility Screening
Based on your drug's properties, we screen it against our polymer library, including PLGA, PLA, PCL, PEG-PLGA, chitosan, and diblock copolymers. We evaluate drug-polymer interaction thermodynamics, miscibility, and predicted encapsulation efficiency to identify the 2–3 best polymer systems.
Custom Diblock Copolymer Evaluation
When standard polymers don't provide optimal compatibility, we evaluate custom diblock copolymers through our synthesis collaborators. Tunable block lengths, molecular weights, and linkage chemistry (ester, thiol, amide) give us access to polymer architectures tailored to your molecule.
Nanoparticle Formulation: Microfluidic Assembly
Using our microfluidic mixing platform, we produce nanoparticle formulations with precise control over flow rates, solvent ratios, and polymer concentrations. We generate 3–5 lead formulations with different size distributions, targeting specific particle diameters for your application.
Size Distribution & Zeta Potential Characterization
Every formulation batch is characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential for surface charge. We target PDI < 0.2 and validate colloidal stability over time.
MS-Based Drug Loading Quantification
We quantify actual drug loading and encapsulation efficiency using mass spectrometry, not just UV absorbance estimates. LC-MS/MS gives us precise drug content per mg of nanoparticles and total encapsulation efficiency.
In-Vitro Drug Release Profiling
We evaluate your nanoparticle system's drug release kinetics using dialysis-based methods under multiple physiologically relevant conditions: pH 7.4 (plasma), pH 5.5 (endosomal/tumor), and custom conditions matching your target tissue.
Cell-Based Functional Assays
We validate that your encapsulated drug retains biological activity. Depending on your compound, we run antiviral (plaque reduction, CPE inhibition), antibacterial (MIC/MBC), or enzyme inhibition assays comparing free drug vs. nanoparticle formulation.
Accelerated Stability Testing
We assess your lead formulation's stability at 4°C (storage), 25°C (ambient), and 37°C (physiological) over 2–4 weeks. We also evaluate lyophilization feasibility for long-term storage as a dry powder.
In-Vivo PK/PD Evaluation
For programs advancing to animal studies, we design and execute pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation with your optimized formulation in rodent models. Plasma drug concentration profiling, organ biodistribution, and preliminary efficacy readouts.
Efficacy in Disease Models
For programs with established animal disease models, we evaluate nanoparticle formulation efficacy versus free drug, measuring therapeutic endpoints, dose-response relationships, and survival curves as appropriate.
Technical Capabilities
End-to-end nanoparticle development infrastructure, everything under one roof.
Microfluidic Mixing Platform
Precision nanoparticle assembly with controlled flow rates (0.5–20 mL/min), rapid mixing chambers, and automated parameter control. Produces consistent sub-200nm particles with PDI < 0.2.
DLS & Zeta Potential Analysis
Dynamic light scattering for particle size distribution and polydispersity. Electrophoretic light scattering for zeta potential, predicting colloidal stability and in-vivo behavior.
LC-MS/MS Drug Quantification
Mass spectrometry-based drug loading and encapsulation efficiency, not UV estimates. Precise quantification down to ng/mL levels for accurate loading determination.
Drug Release Kinetics
Dialysis-based release profiling under multiple pH conditions (7.4, 5.5, custom). Kinetics modeling with Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, and zero-order fitting to understand release mechanisms.
Cell-Based Functional Assays
Antiviral (plaque reduction, CPE), antibacterial (MIC/MBC, time-kill), and enzyme inhibition assays. Compare free drug vs. encapsulated drug to validate retained biological activity.
In-Vivo PK/PD & Biodistribution
Full pharmacokinetic profiling in rodent models: plasma drug levels, AUC, Cmax, T1/2. Organ biodistribution across liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and brain. Preliminary efficacy readouts.
Polymer Platform
Access to FDA-approved biodegradable polymers and custom-synthesized systems. We match the polymer to your drug, not the other way around.
PLGA
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
FDA-approved, tunable degradation rate (weeks to months) via LA:GA ratio. The gold standard for sustained drug release.
PLA
Poly(lactic acid)
Slower degradation than PLGA, higher crystallinity. Ideal for extended release applications requiring months-long drug delivery.
PCL
Polycaprolactone
Very slow degradation (1–2 years), excellent flexibility and biocompatibility. Suitable for long-term implantable or injectable depot formulations.
PEG-PLGA
PEGylated PLGA
PEG corona provides stealth properties: extended circulation time and reduced immune clearance. The standard for IV-administered nanoparticles.
Chitosan
Chitosan-based systems
Natural polysaccharide with inherent mucoadhesive properties. Positive surface charge enables mucosal absorption. Ideal for oral, nasal, and pulmonary delivery.
Diblock Copolymers
Custom-synthesized diblock systems
When standard polymers don't match, we access custom diblock copolymers with tunable block length, MW, and linkage chemistry (ester, thiol, amide) through our synthesis collaborator network.
Custom Diblock Copolymer Synthesis
When standard polymers don't match your molecule, we design custom diblock copolymers through our synthesis collaborator network. Tunable block length, molecular weight, and linkage chemistry (ester, thiol, amide) for application-specific properties.
IP & Engagement Model
Transparent, fair, industry-standard IP terms. Your drug, your formulation recipe. You own it.
What You Own
Your drug, your recipe. Full IP rights to your formulation
- Final optimized formulation composition and recipe
- All characterization data (DLS, zeta, loading, release)
- In-vivo efficacy and PK/PD results
- Complete batch records and analytical reports
- Freedom to manufacture independently or with any CMO
Our Platform
Process know-how that powers reproducible production
- Microfluidic production parameters and flow-rate optimization data
- Proprietary mixer configurations and buffer compositions
- Stabilizer formulations and post-processing conditions
- Quality control protocols and analytical method validations
- Available for licensing or continued production partnership
Co-Development Partnerships Available
For select high-potential programs, we offer co-development partnerships with shared risk and milestone-based economics. Ideal for early-stage programs where aligned incentives accelerate development.
Timeline Overview
Feasibility data in weeks, not months. Our structured pipeline delivers actionable results at every milestone.
Drug Profiling
Characterize your compound
Weeks 1–2Polymer Match
Screen & select polymers
Weeks 1–2Formulation
Produce & characterize NPs
Weeks 3–4In-Vitro
Release & functional assays
Weeks 5–8In-Vivo
PK/PD & efficacy
Weeks 8–12+Typical programs reach feasibility data in 2 weeks and characterized formulation in 4 weeks. Full programs including in-vivo complete in 12 weeks.
Integrated Services
Our nanoparticle formulation service plugs directly into the broader NexysBio platform. Same team, same context, zero transfer delays.
Antibody Engineering
Dual-pipeline antibody discovery combining conventional hybridoma and in-silico evolution. Antibody-nanoparticle conjugation bridges both platforms.
View serviceVaccine Antigen Discovery
Computationally mine pathogen proteomes for protective epitopes, validate in challenge models, and deliver defined antigen candidates. Nanoparticle-antigen formulations bridge both services.
View serviceBiomarker Discovery
Multi-omics biomarker discovery spanning cfDNA methylation, metabolomics, proteomics, phosphoproteomics, miRNA, and lipidomics with computational integration.
View serviceEnzyme & Protein Engineering
ML-guided enzyme evolution and rational protein design. Engineered therapeutic proteins as payloads for nanoparticle delivery systems.
View serviceBio-Digital Solutions
Custom software built by scientists who understand your workflows, from data dashboards to regulatory-compliant systems.
View serviceCell-Based Assay Services
Antiviral, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity testing. We use the same assay systems for nanoparticle functional validation with zero transfer delays.
Have a compound that needs a nanoparticle delivery system?
Let's evaluate your molecule and design the right polymer nanoparticle formulation. Feasibility assessment starts in as little as one week.
Or email us directly at info@nexysbio.com