Vesicles have been part of pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation for decades, yet they are often rediscovered rather than recognized as a continuously evolving therapeutic concept. From early liposome-based formulations to today’s outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), extracellular vesicles (EVs) and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), vesicles have repeatedly proven their value as enablers of stability, delivery, and immune modulation.

This session explores the journey of vesicles in therapeutic development, combining historical perspective with contemporary industrial and clinical applications. Starting from early academic work on biological barriers—such as skin, oral mucosa, and the gastrointestinal tract—vesicles and liposomes were already being used to enhance drug penetration, protect active substances, and control release profiles. These early formulation strategies laid the foundation for many of today’s advanced delivery systems.

Fast forward to modern biotechnology, vesicles have emerged not only as carriers but as therapeutic modalities in their own right. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), derived from bacteria, are now being developed as vaccine therapeutics—either used directly or engineered to display specific antigens. In parallel, lipid-based vesicles have become essential for the success of mRNA vaccines, where lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) protect fragile nucleic acids and enable efficient delivery into cells.

Drawing on experiences from NorthX Biologics and its collaborations with clients developing OMV-based vaccines and other advanced therapies, this talk will highlight how vesicles bridge biology, engineering, and manufacturing. The presentation will conclude by discussing why vesicles remain a powerful and flexible platform for future therapeutic innovation, and what considerations—particularly in GMP manufacturing—are critical to translating vesicle-based concepts into robust, scalable products for patients.