Problem

Getting new RNA therapeutics off the ground is no small feat. With countless nanoparticle formulation options to explore, researchers need a way to quickly identify the formulations that that deliver nucleic acids efficiently and consistently. Traditional approaches are slow, resource-heavy, and often make it hard to see which candidates truly stand out.

Solution:

Early formulation screening can change the game. By using scalable, high-throughput tools like Sunscreen and Sunshine, researchers at Merck are able to explore a wide range of ionizable lipids, home in on top performers, and refine key formulation parameters—all while saving time and reducing complexity. Their Early Formulation Screening Service is designed to accelerate the development of RNA-based therapeutics by creating customized lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations that ensure efficient and targeted delivery of nucleic acids.

Proof:

In this webinar, we’ll show how Merck is streamlining novel lipid screening with Sunscreen and how Sunshine fine-tunes promising candidates with precision. You’ll see how these complementary systems speed up the search for effective LNP formulations, highlight critical factors that drive delivery performance, and generate more meaningful data per sample. Along the way, we’ll share case studies that bring these concepts to life, highlight the successful development of high-performing LNP solutions, demonstrating how we can enable faster, safer, and more effective RNA drug development—from the discovery phase all the way to clinical scale.

Key Learnings: 

• Efficient Screening:
  Explore how high-throughput devices evaluate novel ionizable lipids to find the best formulation for RNA payloads.
  
• Precision Optimization:
  Understand the role of fine-tuning lipid ratios and composition in improving delivery efficiency and therapeutic outcomes.
  
• Real-World Applications:
  Review case studies highlighting successful LNP solutions that expedite RNA drug development.