Systemic Delivery of Biologics via Inhalation: Overcoming Injection Aversion in Modern Therapies

That was the title of the talk by Dr Orest Lastow, CTO at Iconovo, at the meeting New updates in Drug Formulation & Bioavailability organized by Life Science Sweden in Copenhagen on August 28. We will soon make the video available for all of you to watch.

Biologic compounds have revolutionized disease treatment with high specificity and efficacy. Traditionally, these biologics are administered as subcutaneous injections or infusions. However, patient aversion to injections often leads to delayed use of these treatments, despite their efficacy. When treating respiratory diseases, local delivery directly to the lungs is well-established and enables lower dosages to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In addition, the lung and nose offer a route to systemic circulation due to its large surface area and thin epithelial layer, facilitating rapid and effective drug absorption, as demonstrated by inhaled insulin and intranasal glucagon. Iconovo has developed inhaled formulations for biologics, proving the feasibility of pulmonary delivery and providing a compelling alternative to traditional injection-based therapies.