Aptar Pharma has entered a partnership with Aceso Therapeutics to advance cystic fibrosis treatments, it said. The companies will collaborate to develop ACT-101, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) candidate. The candidate targets are the underlying disease mechanisms related to cystic fibrosis (CF). Aptar Pharma is a global leader in drug delivery, dosing, protection technologies and services. Aceso Therapeutics is meanwhile developing novel therapies for cystic fibrosis. The partnership will bring together the expertise of both organizations to support the development program for ACT-101.
The program will receive support from Nanopharm, Aptar Pharma’s specialist inhalation development services business. Nanopharm will lead formulation development activities for ACT-101. It will also conduct device assessment work as part of the program. Furthermore, these activities will support Aceso Therapeutics’ clinical development roadmap. The companies aim to advance ACT-101 toward clinical evaluation. They will also explore direct delivery of the therapy to the lungs.
Cystic fibrosis remains a rare inherited disease with serious health consequences. The condition can cause severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs. Approximately 100,000 people worldwide live with cystic fibrosis.¹
Gemma Budd, General Manager of Nanopharm, an Aptar Pharma company, said, “Cystic fibrosis remains a devastating disease with significant unmet need. Partnering with Aceso Therapeutics enables us to apply our formulation and inhalation science expertise to an innovative oligonucleotide asset. We are proud to contribute our expertise to this early-stage development program.”
Advancing Inhaled Cystic Fibrosis Treatment
The collaboration brings Nanopharm’s inhalation development expertise into Aceso Therapeutics’ ASO program. In addition, Aptar Pharma will contribute broader scientific capabilities through its established delivery platforms.
Thomas Tran, CEO and Co-Founder of Aceso Therapeutics, said, “By partnering with Nanopharm, Aceso Therapeutics aims to accelerate the development of ACT-101 towards clinical evaluation, exploring its potential through direct delivery to the lung. Nanopharm’s proven track record in inhaled and nasal drug product development, combined with the wider scientific depth within Aptar Pharma, gives us confidence as we continue to advance our ASO platform. This collaboration marks an important milestone for Aceso and for the continued development of potential new approaches for cystic fibrosis.”
Under the partnership, Nanopharm will perform development activities critical to ACT-101. These efforts will be supported by Aptar Pharma’s broader biologics compatibility program. The program assesses the interaction of complex biologic molecules with pulmonary and nasal delivery platforms. It explores a number of applications with different formulations and delivery forms.
The initiative comprises nucleic acids, peptides and proteins. The review also discusses the related nanoparticle-based delivery systems. The program thus supports research on advanced approaches for delivery of complex biologic medicines.
Aptar Pharma Expands Biologic Delivery Capabilities
Aptar Pharma is continuing to evaluate delivery technologies for new biologic medicines. Its biologics compatibility program focuses on understanding the interactions between molecules and delivery platforms. The program includes applications in pulmonary and nasal delivery. It also looks at different ways of formulating and different delivery formats. Thus, the work can assist in the identification of suitable technologies for complex therapeutic molecules.
These broader efforts are reflected in the Nanopharm activities in the Aptar Pharma and Aceso Therapeutics collaboration. The initiatives collectively underscore Aptar Pharma’s focus on inhaled biologic medicines. The companies are looking for development support from early feasibility to clinical development. This approach could help push innovative therapies toward possible clinical applications.
The collaboration marks an important step for Aceso Therapeutics’ ASO platform. For Nanopharm, it is a chance to apply inhalation science to a new therapeutic approach. The collaboration ultimately is intended to support the ongoing development of ACT-101. It also reflects growing attempts to investigate targeted delivery methods for cystic fibrosis therapy.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
