Lonza Partners with Ethris to Develop Spray-Dried mRNA Vaccines for Preventing Respiratory Disease

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Germany-based Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in next-generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, announced on April 7, 2025, that it has entered into a collaboration with Lonza to develop room-temperature-stable, spray-dried formulations of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccine candidates. These formulations will be designed for mucosal delivery, offering a promising approach to preventing respiratory diseases, according to a company press release (1).

Under the agreement, Lonza will provide spray-drying and particle engineering for vaccine candidates at its Bend, Ore., Center of Excellence site. The vaccine candidates are based on Ethris’ stabilized non-immunogenic mRNA (SNIM RNA) and stabilized lipid nanoparticles (SNaP LNP) platform. Lonza’s Bend site specializes in addressing bioavailability challenges and modulating pharmacokinetics to meet target product profiles. Based on Lonza’s development expertise, the companies will have the capability to enable access to ideal properties for delivery of these vaccine candidates to the respiratory tract. The collaboration aims to provide physical stability, while preserving the activity of the mRNA encapsulated within an LNP.

“Lonza’s support and leading expertise is an asset and provides unique support as we progress development of our mRNA vaccine technology under [a] CEPI [Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations] grant,” said Carsten Rudolph, PhD, chief executive officer, Ethris, in the press release (1). “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.”

The collaboration will initially focus on developing a first-in-class mRNA vaccine candidate against influenza that is delivered nasally, that its, non-invasively. A non-invasive approach such as nasal administration is designed to provide localized immune responses that result in an immune effect that is comparable to intramuscularly injected vaccines. Nasal administration could also reduce virus transmission by generating mucosal immunity at the site of virus entry.

Developing room-temperature-stable formulations aims to address significant supply chain challenges associated with some mRNA vaccines, including current dependence on ultra-low-temperature storage and complex delivery systems, Ethris stated in its release. Overcoming these challenges is expected to simplify production, reduce costs, and support rapid, scalable vaccine development. Spray-dried formulations of mRNA-based vaccine candidates also aims to enable needle-free nasal administration, which can potentially achieve mucosal immunity (2).

“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,” said Jan Vertommen, vice-president, head of Commercial Development, Advanced Synthesis, Lonza, in the press release. “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.”

In February 2025, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) awarded Ethris $5 million in funding to support proof-of-concept research to develop spray-dried RNA vaccines that remain stable at room temperature and are suitable for mucosal delivery. CEPI stated in a press release that spray-dried nasal RNA vaccines could make them more accessible and help end future disease outbreaks faster (3).

“Spray drying techniques and nasal delivery medicines are well-established; however, their application to RNA-based vaccines represents an innovative approach. If successful, this method would enhance access to RNA-based vaccines by increasing their thermostability and offering an alternative for individuals with needle phobia. Additionally, it may elicit a more robust immune response and potentially reduce transmission. Collectively, this technology may improve our ability to contain future epidemic or pandemic threats, compared to current RNA vaccines,” Raafat Fahim, PhD, interim executive director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain, CEPI, said at the time of the February funding announcement (3).

References

1. Ethris. Ethris and Lonza Collaborate to Develop Spray-Dried mRNA Vaccines for Respiratory Disease Prevention. Press Release. Feb. 11, 2025.
2. Lavelle, E. C.; Ward, R. W. Mucosal Vaccines—Fortifying the Frontiers. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 2022, 22 (4), 236–250. DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00583-2
3. Ethris. CEPI Partners with Ethris to Increase Access to RNA through Spray-dry Technique. Press Release. Feb. 11, 2025.