Apparatus and method for production of liposomes

A liposome-producing apparatus comprising:

• a microtube comprising a channel in which a lipid solution containing one or more lipids, water, and a water-miscible organic solvent flows;
• a housing for housing the microtube;
• and
• a cooling unit for cooling the solution in the microtube in the housing to a liposome-forming temperature.

A method of producing liposomes, comprising the steps of:

• heating a mixture containing one or more lipids, water, and a water-miscible organic solvent to a temperature in a range of about 62° C. to about 80° C.;
• maintaining the mixture after the heating step at a temperature of about 40° C. or higher but lower than the heating temperature for a predetermined period of time;
• and
• cooling the mixture after the maintaining step, wherein
• the volume of the water-miscible organic solvent is about 5% to about 30% (volume) of the total volume of the aqueous solution containing the water and the water-miscible organic solvent.