A new agreement grants Novo a global exclusive license to Nanexa’s PharmaShell atomic layer deposition (ALD) drug delivery technology platform for certain therapeutic peptide drugs in indications including obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. 

The collaboration includes development of long-acting injectable formulations with different administration-frequency profiles, with monthly and quarterly administration as target profiles. 

Nanexa is eligible to receive total payments of up to €1.165 billion, including €615 million in upfront payment and development and regulatory milestones. In addition, Nanexa is eligible to receive low single-digit royalties on global net sales of products developed under the agreement. 

“Following our license and option agreement with Moderna in 2025, this agreement further strengthens the external validation of PharmaShell as a broadly applicable drug delivery platform and we believe this provides a strong foundation for expanding PharmaShell into additional therapeutic areas and to selectively advance additional internal programmes towards clinical proof of concept, allowing us to capture greater value from the breadth of the PharmaShell platform,” said David Westberg, CEO of Nanexa. 

PharmaShell is designed to enable controlled and sustained release of active pharmaceutical ingredients through an ultra-thin inorganic coating applied to individual drug particles. The collaboration is intended to support the development of differentiated long-acting injectable drugs with the potential to reduce dosing frequency and improve the treatment experience for people living with chronic metabolic or cardiovascular diseases. 

“With this agreement, Nanexa enters a new era of considerable financial strength, allowing us to significantly expand applications of our unique ALD technology to other therapeutic areas and giving us an opportunity to build a sustainable long-term business. It will also allow us to take new projects further in development before partnering which will generate financially very attractive potential future partner deals,” added Göran Ando, Chairman of Nanexa.