Room-temperature stability aims to address the supply chain challenges of mRNA vaccines, including ultra-low-temperature storage and complex delivery systems. This will simplify production, reduce costs, and support scalable vaccine development. Spray-dried formulations of mRNA-based vaccine candidates aim to enable needle-free nasal administration, potentially achieving mucosal immunity.

The collaboration's initial focus is developing a nasally delivered mRNA influenza vaccine designed to provide localized immune responses comparable to intramuscular vaccines and reduce virus transmission. Lonza will provide spray-drying and particle engineering for Ethris’s stabilized mRNA and lipid nanoparticles at its Bend site, ensuring ideal properties for respiratory delivery and preserving mRNA activity.

Carsten Rudolph, Chief Executive Officer, Ethris, commented: “Lonza’s support and leading expertise is an asset and provides unique support as we progress development of our mRNA vaccine technology under the CEPI grant. Together, I believe we are well positioned to create promising non-invasive mucosal vaccine candidates that could potentially transform how respiratory diseases are prevented globally.”

Jan Vertommen, Vice President, Head of Commercial Development, Advanced Synthesis, Lonza, added: “Spray-drying represents a well-established technique that addresses solubility and other manufacturing and stability challenges. However, its application in the field of DNA and RNA-based products represents a highly innovative approach, with another level of complexity introduced by the presence of LNPs. Combining the expertise of Lonza Bend site’s particle engineering team with the innovative SNIM RNA of Ethris, there is great potential to target unmet medical needs in the field of non-invasive vaccine delivery.”