ALC-0159
ALC-0159 is a lipid nanoparticle used in the formulation of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, also known as BNT162b2. It is one of the four lipids in the vaccine that encapsulate the mRNA (messenger RNA) to protect it from degradation and help it enter cells.
Composition[edit | edit source]
ALC-0159 is a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lipid conjugate. The PEG-lipid conjugate is used to increase the stability of the lipid nanoparticle and prolong the circulation time of the mRNA in the body. The PEG-lipid conjugate consists of two parts: a lipid anchor and a PEG chain. The lipid anchor is a phospholipid that can insert into the lipid nanoparticle, while the PEG chain extends out from the surface of the nanoparticle.
Role in Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine[edit | edit source]
In the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, ALC-0159 forms part of the lipid nanoparticle that encapsulates the mRNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The lipid nanoparticle protects the mRNA from degradation in the body and helps it enter cells. Once inside a cell, the mRNA is released and used as a template to produce the spike protein, which triggers an immune response.
Safety[edit | edit source]
The safety of ALC-0159 is supported by data from preclinical and clinical studies of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. However, there have been reports of allergic reactions to the vaccine, which may be due to the PEG component of ALC-0159. These reactions are rare and are usually mild to moderate in severity.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This article about the COVID-19 pandemic is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
 | This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
