OptiNose joins CIMIT ILP

OptiNose, a drug-delivery company focused on the nasal drug-delivery market, recently became a member of the CIMIT Industry Liaison Program. The Norwegian enterprise 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.

OptiNose has developed innovative nasal drug delivery devices that enable nasal administration of CNS (nose to brain), systemic and topical nasal formulations and also vaccines. OptiNose’s unique breath-actuated devices deliver drug to targeted regions of the nasal cavity, including the sinuses and the olfactory region, without lung deposition, unlike traditional nasal inhalers, nasal sprays or nebulizers. The company offers both single and multi-use intranasal delivery devices for liquid and powder formulations.

Core patents have been granted in Europe and the U.S. 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 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 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.

CIMIT represents a significant opportunity for OptiNose to access a network of clinicians, scientists and engineers in the U.S. The CIMIT infrastructure will provide a useful springboard for clinical development and commercialization of our technology and products in the U.S., OptiNose officials said.

CIMIT welcomes inquiries about OptiNose, and would be happy to provide introductions. Please contact Richard Perullo, Outreach Manager, Industry Liaison Program, for more information.