Technology : The PRINT™ Platform

Precisely Engineered Nanoparticles and Films

Built on an innovative fluoropolymer material and a scalable manufacturing process, the PRINT™ platform enables a wide range of benefits for Engineered Drug Therapies™ and Optical Films. The PRINT manufacturing process leverages precision lithography techniques from the electronics industry to control the size and shape of nanoparticles and films. This precise control of size and shape enables Liquidia to design nanoparticles and films from a wide range of materials for applications in Engineered Drug Therapies™ and Optical Films.

PRINT™ Manufacturing

Liquidia's PRINT technology provides a radically new method for generating custom-shaped particles ranging in size from tens of nanometers to hundreds of microns. PRINT™ technology uses patterned polymer molds to fabricate monodispersed, shape-specific particles and films.

The PRINT™ process begins with a master template of precise, predesigned, features. A polymeric mold of this master template is made by pouring a liquid PFPE-based film onto the patterned master, and curing the material with UV light. The resulting elastomeric mold is easily peeled from the master template and is used to replicate particles or arrays of particles that have the precise size and shape characteristics of the master template. The resulting particles can either be harvested as free-flowing particles or left in a pre-defined array, depending on the intended application.

The precision of the master template and the unique wetting and release properties of the mold ensure that particles fabricated using the PRINT™ platform are uniform in size, shape, composition and surface properties. These wetting and release properties also ensure that the final features have nanometer fidelity relative to the original features.

In addition to precise design, the PRINT™ process is scalable to enable production of commercial quantities in a cost-effective manner. The PRINT™ process has the potential to produce kilograms of particles and miles of film in clean room conditions.

Liquidia currently has a pilot-scale manufacturing line. A commercial scale, first generation PRINT™ Manufacturing Line is currently in design and will begin production in 2008. Liquidia will move to a new facility in early 2008 that includes over 4,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing space in addition to clean room and GMP production capabilities.

PRINT™ Platform's Nanometer Precision

Master Template Etched Silicon Wafer 140 nm lines, 70 nm spacing		Fluorocur™ Mold 70 nm lines, 140 nm spacing		Replicate 140 nm lines, 70 nm spacing
Patterns generated with state of-the-art photolithography tools are easily replicated with Fluorocur™ molds

Molding Carbon Nanotubes

Fluorocur™ Material

Liquidia's innovative Fluorocur™ material is used to make the elastomeric molds from the master template. The material was developed from fluoropolymers that are liquids at room temperature but cure to transparent, PTFE-like (polytetrafluoroethylene) solids when polymerized. Fluorocur™ resin capitalizes on the beneficial properties of traditional fluoropolymers, silicone elastomers and hard materials -- outperforming each individually -- while eliminating the disadvantages and limitations of each. Additional benefits of Fluorocur material include: low surface energy, solvent and chemical resistance, low protein adsorption, elastomeric to glassy properties, and ease of handling.