Innovation is in our DNA.

As a company, our journey will always be defined by a profound dedication to improving human health and safety. From local community initiatives to expansive global partnerships, we’re continually working toward fostering a healthier tomorrow.

Three older men wearing white lab coats, each with a nametag reading "TIM," "OLIVER," and "ANDY," stand smiling in a laboratory setting. Shelves filled with various lab supplies are visible in the background.

Founding of Acuitas.

Acuitas was founded in February 2009 by Dr. Thomas Madden, Dr. Pieter Cullis, and Dr. Michael Hope. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Acuitas specializes in developing delivery systems for nucleic acid therapeutics based on lipid nanoparticles (LNP).

A scientist in a white lab coat and blue gloves uses a pipette in a laboratory. The scientist wears glasses and a face mask. Two other people in lab coats are present in the background. Lab equipment and supplies are visible on the counters and shelves.

LNP technology clinical validation.

In over 10 years, Acuitas Therapeutics’ scientists have synthesized over 500 novel cationic lipids and have evaluated these novel compounds in LNP. This evaluation characterizes the potency and safety of the LNP carriers for the delivery of nucleic acid payloads, including siRNA, mRNA and DNA. This includes the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, COMIRNATY®, which is used globally.

Acuitas LNP formulation used in ONPATTRO (Alnylam collaboration).

An LNP developed by Acuitas is used by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals for Onpattro™. Onpattro™ was approved in 2018 in the U.S. and Europe for treating transthyretin amyloidosis, a rare and otherwise fatal genetic disease characterized by an abnormal buildup of a protein called amyloid in the body’s organs and tissues. Onpattro™ is the first in a new class of drugs—called RNAi therapeutics—to receive regulatory approval.

A man is seated at an office desk, focusing on a computer screen displaying data and graphs. He wears glasses and a smartwatch. The desk is cluttered with papers and office supplies. Various office equipment and boxes are visible in the background.

Acuitas LNP Formulation used in COMIRNATY (BioNTech-Pfizer collaboration).

Acuitas continues to work with high-profile international partners, providing our LNP delivery technology to enable new drugs based on nucleic acid therapeutics. This includes partnering with BioNTech/Pfizer for COMIRNATY®, a COVID-19 vaccine being administered to protect people worldwide. COMIRNATY® has received full approval from the FDA and Health Canada and has been authorized for emergency use in multiple jurisdictions globally.

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Acuitas goes global.

COMIRNATY® has demonstrated the potential for mRNA-LNP vaccines to protect against serious viral disease. Acuitas is now working with academic and industry partners to develop vaccines against other challenging infectious diseases, including malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. Together with our partners, we are also continually evaluating mRNA-LNP immunomodulation therapies to treat cancer.

Acuitas’ work offers exponential potential in the development of new and exciting therapies.

Our groundbreaking LNP delivery platform sets the standard in safety, efficacy, and versatility. We continue to work with our partners to research, refine, and characterize new applications of our LNP technology including gene editing, cancer vaccines, and more.

Explore Our Applications