Nasal drug and vaccine delivery technology

OptiNose is a drug delivery company with breakthrough technology set to transform the static nasal drug delivery market. The Company was founded in 2000 to commercialize a novel nasal drug delivery system that achieves targeted delivery to sites that are poorly accessed by existing nasal sprays. The technology is unparalleled in its ability to effectively deliver drugs to specific sites within the nose, while uniquely preventing drug distribution to the lungs. This provides significant advantages as rival companies focus principally on formulation-based approaches to nasal delivery; these competing technologies cannot compensate for the poor drug deposition patterns of existing devices.

Company status

OptiNose’s drug delivery performance has been achieved via a patented technology that was invented by the Company’s Founder and CSO Dr. Med. PG Djupesland. Core patents have been granted in Europe and the US. Variants of the basic delivery system are available for powder and liquid delivery. The technology has been successfully tested in a number of clinical trials to date including gamma scintigraphy studies to confirm deposition, studies evaluating the immune response to conventional antigens and studies evaluating the delivery of CNS active compounds. The results have confirmed the superiority of the technology compared to traditional nasal sprays.

Potential applications for the OptiNose nasal drug delivery concept:

The Company’s technology has significant market potential in several major disease areas. The OptiNose devices can deliver drug to the upper posterior segment of the nose where it can access the entrances to the sinuses to treat rhinitis and sinusitis.
















These conditions are inadequately resolved by current therapies because drug does not reach the intended site. The Company’s technology can also target the olfactory region from which drugs are able to readily pass directly into the brain. This “nose to brain” delivery offers exciting opportunities for treating disorders of the central nervous system, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Additional applications are envisaged in the treatment of pain, migraine, and sexual dysfunction. The technology also has potential to improve mucosal vaccination responses and to deliver proteins and peptides without the need for a needle and syringe.

Out-licensing opportunities

OptiNose is developing in-house, combined drug and device products in a number of therapeutic areas, including rhinosinusitis, migraine and Parkinson’s that are available for out-licensing after completion of phase I and/or phase II clinical trials.

Partnership opportunities

OptiNose is selectively seeking partnerships with major pharma and biotech companies to jointly develop proprietary products with superior clinical performance.

Current investors

Founders, Inspire AS, Entrepreneurs Fund LLP, WFD Ventures LLC.