The disclosure provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of making and using thereof to deliver a bioactive agent such as a nucleic acid to a subject. The nanoemulsion composition comprises a hydrophobic core based on inorganic nanoparticles in a lipid nanoparticle that allows imaging as well as delivering nucleic acids. Methods of using these particles for treatment and vaccination are also provided.

The invention relates to a multifunctional system stable in a physiological medium, which includes in the same platform an anti-carcinogenic molecule, an imaging agent and a directing molecule that interacts specifically with cancer-cell membrane receptors, the system allowing pathological tissue imaging and pharmacological action to be carried out jointly with high specificity. The intratumoral administration of the system facilitates selective diffusion to cancer cells and minimises the disadvantages of chemotherapy.

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and compositions for obtaining magnetic resonance images of labelled cells. The methods include internalizing a superparamagentic iron oxide nanoparticle within a desired population of cells and then observing the cells through the contrast provided in magnetic resonance imaging. The methods are applicable for in vivo use to monitor desired cells types.

The disclosure provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of making and using thereof to deliver a bioactive agent such as a nucleic acid to a subject. The nanoemulsion composition comprises a hydrophobic core based on inorganic nanoparticles in a lipid nanoparticle that allows imaging as well as delivering nucleic acids. Methods of using these particles for treatment and vaccination are also provided.

The invention is directed to the field of gene therapy, i.e. gene delivery into target cells, tissue, organ and organism, and more particularly to gene delivery via viral vectors. The inventors showed that it is possible by chemical coupling to modulate the coupling of a ligand in the surface of the capsid of AAV, for example AAV2 and AAV3b. In particular, the present invention relates to a recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) vector particle having at least one primary amino group contained in the capsid proteins, chemically coupled with at least one ligand L, wherein coupling of said ligand L is implemented through a bond comprising a —CSNH— bond and an optionally substituted aromatic moiety. Particularly, the inventors tested the chemical coupling of mannose ligand on AAV2 for subretinally injection to rats. The present invention further relates to a method for chemically coupling an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector particle with at least one ligand L and to a Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) vector particle obtained by said method as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising it and their corresponding medical use.

A multimodal PET (positron emission tomography)/MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agent, a process of synthesizing said PET/MRI contrast agent, and a pharmaceutical formulation comprising said PET/MRI contrast agent are disclosed. The PET/MRI contrast agent comprises a magnetic signal generating core, and a coating portion formed at least partially over a surface of said magnetic signal generating core, wherein the coating portion comprises a plurality of layers, including an inner layer having a functionalized surface, and an outer layer in the form of a radionuclide electrolessly plated layer formed on said functionalized surface.

A conjugate for treating an individual suffering from a disease, wherein the conjugate is comprised of: a targeting peptide comprising a sequence substantially identical to CAR, or a variant thereof; and at least one therapeutic molecule and methods for making and administering same. Also disclosed is a combination product for use in the treatment of a disease, wherein the combination product comprises: (a) a targeting peptide comprising a sequence substantially identical to CAR, or a variant thereof; (b) a liposome, wherein the targeting peptide is encapsulated within the liposome; and (c) an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent and methods for making and administering same.

Provided are a contrast agent for optical imaging, a use thereof and an apparatus using the same. The contrast agent for optical imaging of the present disclosure allows optical imaging without requiring a fluorophore or a luminophore. As a result, the optical images can be acquired without changing the physicochemical properties of a substrate. The contrast agent for optical imaging of the present disclosure may be used as an optical/nuclear bimodal imaging contrast agent for many applications, and allows radiation therapy as well as monitoring of a therapeutic effect thereof through optical imaging at the same time. Further, when a fluorophore is attached thereto, light emission may be enhanced without energy input from outside since light is emitted from the fluorophore, thereby increasing luminescence intensity and improving tissue penetration.

Nanoparticles include a polymeric core and a high density lipoprotein (HDL) component where the ratio by weight of the HDL component to the polymeric core is in a range from about 1:9 to about 9:1, such as about 75:25 or less or about 7:3 or less. The nanoparticles may also include a mitochondria targeting moiety. The nanoparticles may be used to treat or prevent atherosclerosis or to maintain lipid homeostasis.

A method for synthesising metal oxide nanoparticles. The method comprises mixing, to provide a reaction mixture, a precursor solution comprising metal ions with an initiator solution to initiate a nanoparticle precipitation process, and then quenching the precipitation process by adding a quenching agent to the reaction mixture so as to yield a dispersion comprising metal oxide nanoparticles. The resulting metal oxide nanoparticles may have an average diameter of less than 7 nm, for example 5 nm or less.