# Reprogramming Exosomes for Biomedical Applications

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2024 · $517,023

## Abstract

Abstract
 Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by many types of cells and play important roles in mediating
intercellular communications. Endogenous exosomes have been emerging as a new and attractive class of
therapeutics, owing to their unique and important characteristics. However, effective approaches remain limited
for targeting exosomes to desired cells and tissues. And few methods are available for active loading of protein
cargos into exosomes for cellular delivery. To address these challenges for broadening therapeutic utility of
exosomes and unleashing their full potential, we propose to develop an innovative platform technology, termed
synthetic multivalent antibodies retargeted exosomes (SMART-Exos). This will be achieved through genetically
and chemically engineering exosomes with functional antibodies, ligands, and enzymes, combined with
encapsulation of different types of therapeutic payloads. By integrating knowledge and technologies in exosome
biology, protein engineering, synthetic chemistry, and enzyme inhibitor design, we aim to design and generate
a series of SMART-Exos with new and/or enhanced functions and properties through distinct but complementary
strategies. The resulting SMART-Exos are expected to redirect exosomes toward target cells in high specificity
for modulating cellular functions and processes through receptor engagement and/or cargo delivery, leading to
the development of a general and versatile platform technology for next-generation investigational and
therapeutic exosomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10877064
- **Project number:** 5R01EB031830-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Yong Zhang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $517,023
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10877064

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10877064, Reprogramming Exosomes for Biomedical Applications (5R01EB031830-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10877064. Licensed CC0.

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