Exosomes stand out as exceptionally potent vehicles for drug delivery due to their distinct characteristics. Their lipid makeup is enriched with non-lamellar forming lipids, fostering beneficial shapes in their lipid bilayer, a trait that enhances drug delivery effectiveness. The asymmetry of the exosome lipid bilayer also plays a crucial role, offering advantages for interactions with the plasma membrane and, notably, with target cells. The abundance of both integral and peripheral membrane proteins in exosomes facilitates the effective transfer of therapeutic agents through cell-to-cell communication. These proteins can be engineered in their progenitor cells to display specific targeting groups on their surface, allowing for precise alterations in exosomes for targeted drug conveyance. Additionally, the versatility of exosomes as drug carriers is underscored by their capacity to transport a wide array of therapeutic payloads, such as small molecule drugs, nucleic acids, proteins, peptides, and different nanomaterials, to achieve the intended biological effect.

The natural attributes of exosomes sourced from various cells grant them an intrinsic selectivity, allowing for the preferential absorption of exosomes by specific tissue types corresponding to their cell of origin. This unique trait can be leveraged to craft specialised vectors for cutting-edge therapeutic applications. Additionally, these exosomes can undergo further modifications to boost their target specific delivery capabilities. At Excellio, we harness the innate capabilities of exosomes, augmenting them with pioneering engineering techniques to forge the optimal vehicles for drug delivery. (include nucleic acid delivery).