Aptar Pharma and Dianosic Forge Exclusive Partnership to Advance Resorbable Intranasal Scaffold Technology for Chronic Rhinitis, Sinusitis, and Beyond
In a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of patient-centric intranasal drug delivery platforms, Aptar Pharma, a global leader in drug delivery systems and active material science, has announced an exclusive partnership agreement with French biotech company Dianosic. The collaboration centers on the development and commercialization of Dianosic’s Active Resorbable Intranasal Scaffold (ARIS), a pioneering bioresorbable insert designed to revolutionize the treatment of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis (CAR) and Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS).
The announcement not only highlights a shared vision between the two companies but also signals a broader shift in drug delivery innovation, particularly in areas where adherence to treatment and the ability to achieve sustained therapeutic effects remain a challenge. Aptar Pharma’s investment in Dianosic, coupled with its role in the strategic committee and promotion of the platform to its extensive global customer base, demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing intranasal therapies as a cornerstone of future care.
The Burden of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Chronic allergic rhinitis (CAR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are widespread conditions that affect millions of people globally, often significantly diminishing quality of life. CAR, characterized by persistent nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itching, is typically driven by immune system responses to allergens such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. CRS, by contrast, involves long-lasting inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages, leading to symptoms like facial pain, nasal obstruction, reduced sense of smell, and fatigue.
Both conditions represent more than a simple nuisance: they contribute to substantial healthcare utilization, lost productivity, sleep disturbances, and comorbidities such as asthma. Current management approaches—including antihistamines, corticosteroid sprays, and surgical interventions—are often insufficient, inconsistent, or associated with low adherence due to the need for frequent dosing and side effects.
The unmet medical need is clear. Patients and clinicians alike have long sought a solution that can deliver drugs locally, safely, and effectively over extended durations—minimizing the burden of daily therapy while maximizing outcomes.
The Promise of the Active Resorbable Intranasal Scaffold (ARIS)
Enter the ARIS technology platform developed by Dianosic. This bioresorbable intranasal insert has been engineered to address the critical shortcomings of traditional treatment approaches. Designed as a drug-eluting scaffold, ARIS can be inserted into the nasal cavity, where it gradually releases medication over an extended period while slowly resorbing into the body.
The “insert and forget” design provides a major leap forward in overcoming adherence barriers. Patients no longer need to remember to administer sprays or drops multiple times a day. Instead, the scaffold works silently in the background, providing a consistent and controlled release of therapeutic agents directly where they are needed most.
This approach not only benefits patients by simplifying treatment but also empowers physicians by offering a therapy that is effective, safe, and easy-to-use. By aligning with both patient and physician needs, ARIS positions itself as a platform with the potential to redefine standards of care in chronic nasal conditions.
A Platform Beyond Rhinitis and Sinusitis: Nose-to-Brain Opportunities
While the initial focus of the Aptar–Dianosic partnership is on CAR and CRS, the companies are also exploring broader applications of the ARIS technology, particularly in the field of Nose-to-Brain (N2B) drug delivery.
The nasal cavity offers a unique anatomical pathway to the brain via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. This route bypasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB), one of the most formidable obstacles in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The ability to deliver drugs directly to the brain opens exciting possibilities for addressing conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, schizophrenia).
Dianosic’s ARIS platform, with its ability to provide sustained, localized, and targeted release, could become an enabling technology for a new generation of CNS therapeutics. Aptar Pharma’s expertise in nasal drug delivery makes it an ideal partner to unlock this potential.
Strategic Partnership: Bringing Innovation to Market
The collaboration between Aptar Pharma and Dianosic is structured as more than a simple licensing deal. Under the agreement:
- Aptar Pharma will invest in Dianosic, ensuring alignment of long-term goals.
- Aptar will join Dianosic’s strategic committee, providing guidance on commercialization and global expansion.
- The partnership includes promotion of ARIS to Aptar’s global customer network, leveraging its relationships with leading pharmaceutical companies.
- Aptar and Dianosic will explore how Aptar’s complementary services—such as Noble’s human factor studies and Aptar CSP’s active material sciences—can enhance the ARIS platform.
By combining Dianosic’s clinical innovation and proprietary design expertise with Aptar’s global reach and commercialization capabilities, the two companies are uniquely positioned to accelerate the adoption of ARIS worldwide.
Voices from Leadership
The partnership announcement was accompanied by enthusiastic remarks from both companies’ executives.
Alex Theodorakis, President of Aptar Pharma Prescription, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration:
“This partnership with Dianosic expands our commitment to deliver innovative and patient-centric solutions by leveraging the potential of intranasal drug-delivery. This transformative innovation represents a promising advancement in the management of Chronic Rhinitis and sinusitis, and we are proud to support the ARIS journey to market.”
From Dianosic’s perspective, the agreement represents a critical milestone. Philippe Bastide, CEO and co-founder of Dianosic, commented:
“We are thrilled to join forces with Aptar Pharma as it marks a major step towards making our drug-eluting resorbable Intranasal Scaffold platform accessible worldwide. This alliance supports our commitment to improving intranasal therapeutic options for patients with chronic nasal conditions.”
Theodorakis further emphasized Aptar’s broader strategic goals:
“This collaboration further reinforces Aptar Pharma’s leadership in nasal drug delivery by expanding our innovative portfolio and proposing disruptive solutions to our customers. By leveraging Aptar Pharma’s expertise—alongside Noble’s capabilities in human factor studies and patient onboarding, and Aptar CSP active material sciences offering—this unique partnership with Dianosic aims at bringing to market a major value-added solution that enhances patient outcomes and delivers value to pharmaceutical partners.”
Why This Partnership Matters
The Aptar–Dianosic alliance reflects several important trends shaping the future of healthcare and drug delivery:
- Patient-Centric Innovation: Modern drug delivery solutions must prioritize patient adherence, ease-of-use, and quality-of-life. The ARIS platform embodies this principle by eliminating the burden of frequent dosing.
- Platform Versatility: While initially targeting CAR and CRS, ARIS offers a versatile platform that could be extended to CNS disorders and potentially other therapeutic areas requiring sustained intranasal delivery.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: Partnerships like this demonstrate how global leaders (Aptar) and innovative biotechs (Dianosic) can create synergies that accelerate time-to-market for breakthrough technologies.
- Expanding Intranasal Frontiers: Intranasal delivery is no longer limited to sprays and drops. Advanced platforms like ARIS signal a new era of intranasal implants, scaffolds, and inserts that could open up novel treatment possibilities.
About the Companies
Aptar Pharma
Aptar Pharma is part of AptarGroup, Inc., a global leader in dosing, dispensing, and protective packaging technologies. Serving multiple industries including pharmaceuticals, beauty, personal care, food, and beverage, Aptar is known for its market expertise and proprietary design capabilities. Headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Aptar employs over 13,000 people across 20 countries and partners with some of the world’s leading consumer and healthcare brands. Its pharmaceutical division has carved a leadership role in drug delivery solutions, particularly in nasal, pulmonary, and injectable delivery systems.
Dianosic
Founded in France, Dianosic has emerged as a biotech innovator focused on intranasal therapeutic solutions. Its proprietary ARIS platform has positioned it at the forefront of efforts to tackle chronic nasal conditions in a way that is both patient-friendly and clinically effective. By addressing significant unmet needs in drug delivery and exploring frontier applications such as Nose-to-Brain therapies, Dianosic exemplifies the agility and creativity of next-generation biotech firms.
Redefining Intranasal Drug Delivery
The exclusive partnership between Aptar Pharma and Dianosic represents more than a business agreement. It is a forward-looking initiative that aims to redefine how patients and physicians approach the management of chronic nasal and sinus diseases—and potentially much more.
If successful, the ARIS platform could reduce the global burden of CAR and CRS, enhance patient adherence, and unlock new therapeutic possibilities in CNS disorders. For Aptar Pharma, it strengthens its leadership in nasal drug delivery while expanding its portfolio of innovative solutions. For Dianosic, it ensures that its cutting-edge platform reaches the patients who need it most on a global scale.
In an era where drug delivery is as important as the drugs themselves, partnerships like this one may very well shape the next generation of patient care.
