Evonik and Ethris partner to expand offerings for nucleic acid delivery

Accelerating RNA-based therapeutic solutions for customers through co-development of products and formulation support

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.

“Our partnership with Ethris strengthens our portfolio and tackles key challenges in nucleic acid delivery. Ethris’ SNaP LNP® technology improves thermostability — enabling storage at higher temperatures — and enhances local retention, facilitating targeted delivery to the site of action and prolonged presence where therapeutic effect is needed. We’re excited to offer this transformative solution to our customers,” said JP Milde, Global Product Line Head Parenteral Drug Delivery Solutions at Evonik.

While current LNP systems have proven to be effective, they can have limitations. 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 (SNIMRNA) 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.

Dr. Carsten Rudolph, Chief Executive Officer at Ethris, commented: “By combining our innovative nucleic acid delivery platforms with Evonik, one of the world’s leading CDMOs for LNP formulations, we are creating a powerful offering for pharma partners. This collaboration addresses the increasing demand for scalable, high-quality nucleic acid technologies and enables us to serve a broader set of partners worldwide. We will also benefit from Evonik’s expertise as we continue advancing our in-house mRNA therapeutics and vaccine pipeline."

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.