Lonza and Iconovo Team Up on Intranasal Biologic Candidate

Editor's note: this story was originally published on BioPharmInternational.com.

On Jan. 13, 2025, Lonza announced that it has partnered with Iconovo, a Swedish company specializing in developing inhalable drugs based on proprietary inhalers and dry powder formulations, to develop spray-dried formulations of an intranasal biologic. The biologic will be administered through Iconovo’s proprietary intranasal device, ICOone Nasal. The companies aim to use a reformulated substance for treating obesity, which follows Iconovo’s strategy to reformulate known pharmaceuticals and replace injections and oral treatments with inhalation dose forms.

Under the agreement, Lonza will develop spray-dried formulations to be administered in the ICOone Nasal device at its site in Bend, Ore., in the United States. At the Bend site, Lonza works on addressing bioavailability challenges and modulating pharmacokinetics to meet target product profiles. The collaboration will identify ideal product properties related to particle size, stability, and device compatibility while preserving biological activity.

“Lonza is a world leader in bioavailability enhancement and renowned for its spray-drying capabilities of biologics. 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,” said Johan Wäborg, CEO, Iconovo, in a company press release (1).

ICOone Nasal is a proprietary nasal device that releases a dose when the user inhales. An inhale through each nostril from one inhaler administers a standard dose of the biologic compound, according to the press release.

“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 state-of-the-art devices. Delivering non-invasive and accessible therapies to patients in need is a focus area for both companies,” said Kim Shepard, director of Advanced Drug Delivery, Lonza, in the release.

“This collaboration, leveraging Iconovo’s innovative intranasal delivery technology alongside our expertise in spray-dried formulations, underscores our commitment to advancing patient care by developing innovative products. We believe that combining our strengths can lead to the development of patient-friendly products and a long-lasting, successful collaboration,” said Jan Vertommen, vice-president, head of Commercial Development, Small Molecules, Lonza, in the release.

In addition to this collaboration for an inhaled biologic, Lonza expanded its services to support smart capsule companies who are working to develop orally delivered biologics in December 2024 (2). Smart capsules use electronic or mechanical elements to deliver drugs to the stomach or intestine. Promising applications for smart capsules include the treatment of diabetes, obesity, and other therapeutic fields.

To support these smart capsule developers, Lonza now offers a bespoke development and manufacturing service that focuses on their specific needs. Lonza can tailor its service to certain requirements, such as size, design, and lock mechanisms, and offers a variety of functionalities, including targeted release using a bi-layer manufacturing technology.

References

1. Lonza. Iconovo and Lonza to Collaborate on the Formulation Development of an Intranasal Biologic. Press Release. Jan. 13, 2025.
2. Lonza. Lonza Launches Tailored Offering for Smart Capsules Companies Developing Oral Delivery Solutions for Biologic Drugs. Press Release. Dec. 3, 2024.