JenKem Technology presented a poster titled “A Novel Ionizable Lipid JK-102 Enables Efficient mRNA Delivery and Robust T-Cell Responses Comparable to SM-102″ at the 2026 TIDES USA meeting in Boston, MA, on May 11-14, 2026.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a leading platform for mRNA delivery, with ionizable lipids critically influencing their efficacy and immunogenicity. In this study JenKem Technology shows the results of the evaluation of its novel ionizable lipid, JK-102, in comparison with the clinically validated lipid SM-102.
LNPs encapsulating luciferase, GFP, or ovalbumin (OVA) mRNA were formulated separately with JK-102, and SM-102. In vitro studies in murine (DC2.4, RAW264.7) and human (A549, 293T) cell lines showed comparable luciferase expression between JK-102 and SM-102 containing LNPs. Following intramuscular (IM) administration in mice, the JK-102 LNP demonstrated comparable or enhanced in vivo luciferase expression, compared to the SM-102 LNP. Ex vivo imaging revealed both JK-102 LNP and SM-102 LNP distributed in the liver, draining lymph nodes, and spleen. GFP expression was detected in splenic immune cells, including dendritic cells and B cells. Immunization with OVA mRNA-LNPs induced robust antigen-specific T-cell responses, as measured by IFN-γ ELISpot, with the JK-102 LNP showing comparable immunogenicity to SM-102 LNP.
In conclusion, JK-102 LNPs support efficient mRNA expression, comparable biodistribution to SM-102, and strong cellular immune responses, highlighting their potential as an alternative platform for mRNA vaccine delivery.