Green Lipids
Project Overview
About
mRNA vaccines and other genetic medicines rely on lipid nanoparticles to carry delicate nucleic acids into cells, but the specialised lipids they require are costly, petrochemical-derived and supplied by relatively few manufacturers. Green Lipids transforms cashew nutshell liquid, an agricultural by-product, into bio-based ionisable lipids compatible with existing nanoparticle systems. Early laboratory and animal studies show performance comparable to commercial alternatives. Locally scalable production could lower costs, strengthen regional supply chains and improve access to vaccines and advanced genetic therapies.
Team
Connor Stockley
I am a co-founder of Green Lipids and a final-year PhD candidate in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand. My research underpins Green Lipids’ mission to develop sustainable ionizable lipids from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) for mRNA delivery, with applications in vaccines and other nucleic acid therapeutics. Combining expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with biotechnology commercialization, I am committed to transforming renewable feedstocks into enabling technologies that improve global access to advanced medicines and bridge the gap between academic innovation and real-world healthcare impact