Iconovo, which develops inhalable drugs based on proprietary inhalers and dry powder formulations, reports that it and Lonza initiated a collaboration to develop spray-dried formulations of an intranasal biologic for Iconovo’s proprietary intranasal device ICOone Nasal®. This project, with a reformulated substance for obesity, is the first in Iconovo’s strategic initiative to reformulate known pharmaceuticals and replace injections and oral treatments with inhalation.
Lonza will develop spray-dried formulations for administration in the ICOone Nasal device at its Bend, OR, which specializes in addressing bioavailability challenges and modulating pharmacokinetics to meet target product profiles. The collaboration aims to identify the ideal product properties concerning particle size, stability, and device compatibility while preserving biological activity.
The Iconovo inhaler platform, ICOone Nasal, is a nasal device that releases the dose when the user inhales. One inhaler and an inhale through each nostril should administer a standard dose of the biologic compound, challenging the need for today’s injected formulation.
“Lonza is a world leader in bioavailability enhancement and renowned for its spray-drying capabilities of biologics,” says Johan Wäborg, CEO, Iconovo. “Combined with Iconovo’s unique nasal inhaler, we expect the result to be an unprecedented patient-friendly product, and we hope that this cooperation will lead to a fruitful, long-term collaboration that goes beyond this specific project.”
“Our team at Lonza’s respiratory center of excellence in Bend is pleased to work with Iconovo on its innovative applications, combining Lonza’s particle engineering expertise with Iconovo’s devices,” adds Kim Shepard, director of advanced drug delivery. “Delivering non-invasive and accessible therapies to patients in need is a focus area for both companies.”
