Custom PLGA Particle Development
PLGA is a biodegradable polymer platform widely used for controlled-release particle systems. By tuning polymer chemistry, molecular weight, particle size, and surface functionality, PLGA particles can be engineered to support encapsulation, sustained release, targeted delivery, and formulation stability.
nanoComposix partners with research and product development teams to design, optimize, characterize, and scale custom polymer particle systems for controlled delivery applications.
As a nanoparticle CDMO with deep experience in polymer particle development, surface chemistry, analytical characterization, and scalable manufacturing, we help translate early formulation concepts into well-defined polymer nanoparticles and microparticles tailored to your active ingredient, application, and performance requirements.
PLGA Particle CDMO Capabilities
Whether you are developing a new therapeutic delivery system, diagnostic particle, or aesthetic ingredient platform, our team can support development from early feasibility through process optimization and scale-up.
Our custom PLGA particle development capabilities include:
Particle size
Nanoparticle and microparticle formats
Release behavior
Controlled release profile development
Payload strategy
Encapsulation of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic payloads
Loading performance
Loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency optimization
Surface chemistry
PEGylation, ligand attachment, and surface functionalization
Characterization
Analytical characterization and batch-specific data packages
Scale-up readiness
Process development, reproducibility studies, and scalability assessments
Quality support
Support for programs requiring ISO 13485 and cGMP-aligned capabilities
Development Options for Custom PLGA Particles
Every program has different technical requirements. nanoComposix can help define the right development path based on your payload, target release profile, route of administration, and scale-up goals.
Full Custom Development
For programs that require a end-to-end development partner, nanoComposix provides custom PLGA particle development support across formulation design, process development, analytical characterization, optimization, documentation, and scale-up planning. This path is ideal for teams developing custom polymer particles for regulated, translational, or product-focused applications.
Formulation Optimization
For teams with an existing formulation concept or early prototype, we optimize key formulation and performance attributes including particle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading, release kinetics, stability, and surface chemistry.
Scale-Up and Manufacturability Assessment
For programs preparing to move beyond discovery-scale material, we translate bench-scale processes into scalable manufacturing workflows. We identify and implement the unit operations, process parameters, and controls required to maintain critical quality attributes while establishing a robust, reproducible process suitable for larger-scale production.
Feasibility Packages
For early-stage programs, our targeted feasibility packages offer a focused way to screen PLGA formulations, assess API compatibility, and generate initial performance data. These packages reduce technical risk and provide the data needed to confidently define the next phase of development.
Feasibility Packages
Our PLGA feasibility packages are designed to answer the most important technical questions early.
 Polymer NanoFab Packages |
 NanoFab QuickStart |
Most Popular NanoFab Pro |
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| Best Fit | Custom polymer particle formulation |  |
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| Particle formulation optimization & scaling |  |
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| Scope | Polymer and process screening | |
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| API compatibility assessment | |
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| Encapsulation & loading optimization | |
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| Release profile optimization | |
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| Surface functionalization | |
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| Loading & release assay development | |
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| Scale-up & manufacturing readiness | |
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| Pricing | Starting at | $15,000 | $40,000 |
Key Optimization Areas
Loading Optimization
Evaluate formulation strategies to improve payload incorporation while maintaining particle quality. This may include polymer selection, process screening, active-to-polymer ratio evaluation, and encapsulation efficiency analysis.
Release Control Optimization
Tune PLGA particle properties to achieve the desired release behavior. Key design variables may include polymer molecular weight, LA:GA ratio, end-group chemistry, particle size, and matrix composition.
Surface Functionalization
Modify PLGA particle surfaces to support targeting, stability, conjugation, or compatibility with downstream formulations. Options may include PEGylation, antibody or peptide conjugation, ligand attachment, nucleic acid probe attachment, and reactive functional groups.
Scalability Assessment
Assess whether a lead formulation is suitable for larger-scale development. We evaluate particle size distribution, morphology, loading efficiency, release profile, purification approach, process reproducibility, and manufacturing readiness.
Applications for Custom PLGA Particles
Therapeutic Research
PLGA nanoparticles and microparticles can support controlled API delivery, long-acting injectable concepts, localized delivery, improved bioavailability, and protection of sensitive payloads.
Diagnostic and Imaging Research
PLGA particles can encapsulate or incorporate fluorescent materials, contrast agents, magnetic components, or other diagnostic materials. Surface functionalization can also support targeted detection strategies.
Theranostic Platforms
PLGA particles can combine therapeutic and diagnostic functionality in one formulation, enabling research applications where delivery and localization tracking are both important.
Aesthetic and Dermatology Research
PLGA and other polymer particles can help protect sensitive ingredients, improve formulation stability, support controlled release, and enable differentiated cosmetic or dermatology-focused product concepts.
Develop a Polymer Particle System Built Around Your Application
nanoComposix provides application-driven development support, analytical expertise, scale-up insight, and quality-focused manufacturing capabilities to help move promising PLGA particle concepts toward practical use.
Partner with us for custom PLGA particle development that connects formulation design with real-world performance, manufacturability, and next-stage development needs.
Start your custom PLGA particle development conversation today
FAQs: Custom PLGA Particle Development
Can nanoComposix develop particles using polymers other than PLGA?
Yes. In addition to custom PLGA particle development, nanoComposix can develop particles using other polymer systems based on your application requirements. Polymer selection can be tailored to support different degradation rates, loading strategies, surface chemistries, and delivery formats.
What characterization techniques are used for custom PLGA particles?
nanoComposix uses a range of characterization methods to evaluate PLGA particle quality and performance, including:
- DLS — measures hydrodynamic particle size and size distribution for nanoparticles
- Laser diffraction — measures particle size distribution for microparticles
- Zeta potential analysis — evaluates particle surface charge and colloidal stability
- SEM or TEM imaging — assesses particle morphology, shape, and surface features
- UV-Vis or fluorescence spectroscopy — quantifies optically active payloads, labels, or release samples
- HPLC-based assays, BCA, or ELISA — measures loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, protein content, and release kinetics. Specific assay requirements will vary depending on the active material.
- Gravimetric or solids analysis — determines particle concentration or recovered dry mass
Learn more about our standard characterization services
How much does a custom PLGA particle development package cost?
nanoComposix offers several development package options based on project stage and technical needs. For most early feasibility programs, we recommend starting with NanoFab QuickStart.
Pricing varies based on payload properties, target specifications, analytical needs, release testing, surface functionalization, and scale-up requirements. Contact us to discuss which package is the best fit for your application.
What types of payloads can be encapsulated in PLGA particles?
PLGA particles can be developed for small molecule APIs, hydrophobic or hydrophilic compounds, peptides, proteins, imaging agents, contrast materials, cosmetic actives, and combination payloads. Formulation strategy depends on payload properties, target loading, release profile, and application.
Can PLGA particle release profiles be customized?
Yes. PLGA release profiles can be tuned by adjusting polymer molecular weight, LA:GA ratio, end-group chemistry, particle size, morphology, and matrix composition to support burst, sustained, delayed, biphasic, or multiphasic release.
Can nanoComposix support polymer particle scale-up?
Yes. nanoComposix supports polymer particle development from feasibility through process optimization and scale-up assessment, with a focus on maintaining critical quality attributes such as size distribution, loading efficiency, release profile, and reproducibility.