Evonik and Ethris enter strategic partnership to expand offerings for nucleic acid delivery

Evonik, a global specialty chemicals company, and Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering next-generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, have entered into a strategic collaboration to develop and market a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for nucleic acid delivery. Through this collaboration, Evonik will expand its offering of formulation development services to customers with Ethris’ proprietary lipidoid nanoparticle (SNaP LNP®) technology platform. Ethris will benefit from Evonik’s expertise in lipid process development and LNP formulation capabilities, as well as clinical manufacturing infrastructure, which together ensure the integrity and biological activity of mRNA encapsulated within LNPs. This partnership will enable Evonik to support pharmaceutical companies in bringing more stable and targeted nucleic acid therapies and vaccines to market.

While current LNP systems have proven to be effective, they can have limitations. For example, they often require storage at low temperatures to maintain stability, and tend to accumulate in specific organs. The LNP technology developed by Ethris offers enhanced mechanical and thermostability properties, supporting new therapeutic formats such as nebulized delivery for respiratory diseases. This enables efficient lung targeting through high-energy aerosolization — an approach that has traditionally been difficult with conventional LNPs. The technology has also demonstrated no systemic bioavailability of the mRNA or the produced protein in clinical trials, minimizing the risk of off-target effects.

Founded in 2011, Ethris has developed highly innovative, proprietary technology platforms — stabilized non-immunogenic mRNA (SNIM®RNA) and SNaP LNP — to discover, design, and develop innovative therapies and vaccines, with an initial focus on mRNA lung delivery. The potential of the platforms has been demonstrated in the clinic with Ethris’ lead Phase 2a product in asthma.

Evonik supplies pharmaceutical companies globally with lipid excipients and services for the development and GMP-manufacturing of LNPs and liposomes used in nucleic acid delivery. Lipids are essential building blocks of cells, enabling the effective encapsulation and delivery of mRNA and other nucleic acid drugs. Nucleic acid therapeutics are rapidly growing within the parenteral drugs market. It is estimated that the LNP market alone will grow to US$2.3 billion by 2032.

By investing in partnerships within the life sciences industry, Evonik’s Health Care business is expanding its portfolio of system solutions for nucleic acid medicines. These tailored offerings seamlessly integrate products, technologies, and services, providing comprehensive support to customers from the ideation phase to the finished product. Nucleic acid-based medicines and drug delivery systems play a crucial role in Evonik’s strategic innovation growth field, “Advanced Precision Biosolutions.” This growth field leverages biotechnology to enhance human health and quality of life, while also prioritizing ecosystem protection.