In this episode, Dr. Pieter Cullis and Dr. Anna Blakney explore the rapidly advancing field of RNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapeutics and how this technology is enabling next-generation drug discovery platform with applications to precision or personalized medicines. This technology, best known for its role in COVID-19 vaccines, is now being applied to personalized cancer vaccines, rare genetic diseases, gene editing and even anti-aging research. The conversation covers how these therapies are designed and delivered, including how patient-specific treatments can be developed and adapted on accelerated timelines, and the exciting potential for a new generation of safer, more-targeted cancer therapies. They also examine the infrastructure required to move these innovations from lab to clinic, including biomanufacturing, regulatory pathways and the role of Canada’s research ecosystem. Their take-home message: RNA-LNP-based medicine represents a fundamental shift in how we treat diseases, and the shift is already underway with B.C. and Canada well positioned to help lead what comes next. HOST: Chantal Moore, Scientific Communications and Engagement Strategist, UBC Office of Research GUESTS: Dr. Anna Blakney, Assistant Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC Dr. Pieter Cullis, Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UBC Faculty of Medicine Produced by EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine Story Editors and Associate Producers Neha Manjari Akella, Research Network Manager Chantal Moore, Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine Technical Production by EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine Sound Recordist Sam McGuinness Sound Editors Sam McGuinness and Vanessa Reuter Associate Director, Research Programs & Administration Shelly Au, Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine Senior Producer, Creative and Distribution Stephen Gillis, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine Executive Producers Dr. Michelle Wong, Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine Zachary Rothman, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine Subscribe to the show and other UBC Medicine Learning Network podcasts on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform.
In this episode, Dr. Pieter Cullis and Dr. Anna Blakney explore the rapidly advancing field of RNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapeutics and how this technology is enabling next-generation drug discovery platform with applications to precision or personalized medicines.
This technology, best known for its role in COVID-19 vaccines, is now being applied to personalized cancer vaccines, rare genetic diseases, gene editing and even anti-aging research. The conversation covers how these therapies are designed and delivered, including how patient-specific treatments can be developed and adapted on accelerated timelines, and the exciting potential for a new generation of safer, more-targeted cancer therapies.
They also examine the infrastructure required to move these innovations from lab to clinic, including biomanufacturing, regulatory pathways and the role of Canada’s research ecosystem. Their take-home message: RNA-LNP-based medicine represents a fundamental shift in how we treat diseases, and the shift is already underway with B.C. and Canada well positioned to help lead what comes next.
HOST: Chantal Moore, Scientific Communications and Engagement Strategist, UBC Office of Research
GUESTS: Dr. Anna Blakney, Assistant Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC and Dr. Pieter Cullis, Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Produced by
EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education and Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Story Editors and Associate Producers
Neha Manjari Akella, Research Network Manager, MS Research Network, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Chantal Moore, Scientific Communications and Engagement Strategist, Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Technical Production by
EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Sound Recordist
Sam McGuinness, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Sound Editors
Sam McGuinness and Vanessa Reuter, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Associate Director, Research Programs & Administration
Shelly Au, Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Executive Director
Dr. Michelle Wong, Canada’s Immuno-engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub and Office of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Senior Producer, Creative and Distribution
Stephen Gillis, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Executive Producer
Zachary Rothman, EdTech: Digital Solutions for Education, UBC Faculty of Medicine
Subscribe to the show and other UBC Medicine Learning Network podcasts on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform.
Episode Timestamps
· [00:00] – Introduction and episode overview
· [01:49] – The promise of RNA therapeutics
· [02:18] – Applications in rare diseases
· [06:14] – Personalized cancer vaccines
· [07:33] – Advancing novel therapies
· [11:29] – The AVENGER program
· [14:38] – Building the foundation
· [19:58] – Patient access and equity
· [22:18] – Looking ahead
· [25:55] – Canada’s strategic position and sovereignty
· [27:13] – Drs. Cullis and Blakney’s personal pathways
[31:28] – Knowledge nugget
Learn more about:
AVENGER: https://immunoengineeringhub.ca/programs/avenger/
Dr. Anna Blakney: https://bme.ubc.ca/?directory=anna-blakney
Dr. Pieter Cullis: https://lsi.ubc.ca/people/pieter-cullis/
Cullis, P., & Blakney, A. From COVID to cancer: Why Canada’s RNA vaccine leadership matters more than ever. The Conversation (April 30, 2025). https://theconversation.com/from-covid-to-cancer-why-canadas-rna-vaccine-leadership-matters-more-than-ever-254692.
Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), a new UBC-led national research hub aimed at strengthening Canada’s pandemic preparedness and developing lifesaving new medicines that will transform the health of Canadians. https://immunoengineeringhub.ca/
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:
Dr. Pieter Cullis is a scientific entrepreneur, having co-founded over 10 biotechnology companies. He has financial holdings in Acuitas Therapeutics, NanoVation Therapeutics, Polymorphic BioSciences, Integrated NanoTherapeutics and SeraGene Therapeutics. He is Chair of NanoVation and CEO of Polymorphic and a member of the Board of Seragene.
Dr. Anna Blakney: Co-Founder: Syrina Therapeutics; Scientific Advisory Board: Genvax Technologies, Replicate Biosciences, Pasture Biosciences, TR1X Bio; Consultant: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Epitopea