The collaboration, Nanexa says, provides further proof that PharmaShell atomic layer deposition technology is of interest to major pharma companies.

The company is poised for further partnerships in the treatment of other chronic conditions.

Nanexa, the Swedish company developing a new generation of long-acting injectables enabled by atomic layer deposition technology, has today announced the signing of an extension of a feasibility agreement with a major pharmaceutical company to investigate the use of Nanexa’s proprietary PharmaShell platform for a specific drug with current yearly sales exceeding 1 billion USD.

Although neither the company nor the indication can be named, Nanexa is able to state that the condition being investigated is chronic. The goal is to use PharmaShell to transform the company’s current drug into one that is dosed less frequently.

PharmaShell technology is designed to coat individual drug particles with nanometre-thin layers, controlling the rate at which the active ingredient is released in the body. This precision can allow medicines that are normally taken daily or weekly to be given at longer intervals, potentially improving convenience for patients and reducing healthcare visits.

Long-acting injectables are an area of increasing interest across the pharmaceutical industry, with applications ranging from diabetes and cancer to infectious diseases and mental health. By reducing the frequency of administration, such formulations can help improve adherence and maintain consistent drug levels in the body.

Speaking on the news, David Westberg, the company’s chief executive officer, says: “This is further affirmation that major pharmaceutical companies appreciate the value of PharmaShell and what Nanexa is doing to transform quick-release, regularly dosed drugs into long-acting, more manageable therapeutics.”

He adds: “Patients globally are often responsible for self-administering regular doses or visiting clinics for injections given by healthcare professionals. This approach frequently results in poor treatment adherence, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes and increased overall costs.”