Better Pandemic Preparedness

If the world learned anything from the COVID‑19 pandemic, it is that preparation is key. Although global attention has since shifted to other pressing challenges, public health experts warn that the next major pandemic could happen sooner than we think and that influenza could be one of the likely causes.

To strengthen pandemic readiness, Evonik together with partner Ethris have joined the NOFLU consortium, an EU‑funded collaboration of seven organizations1 working to develop a nasal mRNA vaccine for influenza. Dr. Sophie Hammer, Senior Manager for Strategic & Technical Marketing at Evonik, and Dr. Christian Dohmen, Executive Director Technology Development & CMC at Ethris, discuss the scientific rationale and technological innovation behind NOFLU.

Yet the goal is not to replicate COVID‑19 vaccines, but to build on them. Christian explains: “The mRNA vaccines did an excellent job in the last pandemic, but they did not prevent the virus from spreading. There were also downsides - storage at very low temperatures limited access for many.”

What truly differentiates NOFLU is its focus on mucosal immunity. By administering the vaccine directly to the nasal mucosa, the strategy aims not only to protect the vaccinated individual but also to reduce community transmission.

“We are talking about an important shift in vaccine strategy,” says Christian. “Delivering the vaccine directly to the nasal mucosa changes the way the immune system reacts. Mucosal immunization could give additional potential to prevent virus spread.”

Sophie adds that one of the consortium goals is to optimize the entire value chain - from manufacturability to stability. This will lead to a new vaccine application that will benefit patients. “We are combining the proven power of mRNA technology with the real‑world practicality of nasal delivery, aiming for broader protection, improved accessibility, and ultimately fewer infections.”

Evonik’s contribution spans both lipid synthesis and LNP formulation. “Evonik manufactures the proprietary lipidoid and the SNaP LNP® formulations needed to encapsulate and protect the mRNA,” explains Sophie. The lipidoid is produced at Evonik’s Hanau site in Germany, while formulation and drug product manufacturing occur in Vancouver, Canada.

Controlling purity is critical. “With LNPs, you need absolute control over purity and process to make a safe drug product - especially for a new route of administration like intranasal delivery,” she says. Evonik has established a robust and scalable manufacturing process that maintains the high quality needed for clinical and future commercial scale‑up. “At Evonik, we have the ecosystem needed to take this formulation from early development to commercial scale,” Sophie adds. 

Both interviewees emphasize the consortium’s exceptional depth of expertise. “Mucosal immunity is a very complex topic,” says Christian. “This consortium brings together a group with collective experience that is unrivalled. I believe that the likelihood of success is high.”

Sophie agrees: “I hope that we will be able to respond in a much more organized and planned way if a pandemic does occur. The consortium strengthens the EU’s capabilities including our networks, research, and innovation, and this will make us faster.”

Evonik and Ethris began partnering in September 2025, before becoming part of the consortium. “As Ethris is a smaller company, collaboration is essential,” explains Christian. In the future, the consortium will strengthen the joint offerings of both companies to customers. “Customers working with us get a validated, next‑generation delivery platform, a unified development and manufacturing pathway, proven stability, access to Evonik’s manufacturing ecosystem, and reduced technical and regulatory risk,” says Christian.

Sophie emphasizes that the partnership will extend well beyond the NOFLU consortium. “Customers can come to us and leverage everything we’ve built here for their own therapies and vaccines.”

Both partners welcome new collaborations from developers working on mRNA‑based therapies, respiratory vaccines and other related areas.