Evonik and Ethris Forge Strategic Alliance to Redefine Nucleic Acid Delivery with Novel Lipid Nanoparticle Platform
In a move that underscores the rapid evolution of nucleic acid-based medicines and the growing importance of advanced drug delivery technologies, Evonik, a global specialty chemicals leader, and Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology innovator, have entered into a far-reaching strategic partnership. The collaboration brings together Evonik’s world-class formulation development, manufacturing infrastructure, and customer reach with Ethris’ proprietary lipidoid nanoparticle technology platform, SNaP LNP®, designed specifically for nucleic acid delivery.
The partnership aims to create a next-generation lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform that addresses the shortcomings of existing systems while opening the door to new therapeutic possibilities. By joining forces, the two companies intend to empower pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with tools to deliver more stable, targeted, and versatile nucleic acid-based therapies and vaccines.
A New Chapter in Nucleic Acid Delivery
Nucleic acid-based medicines — including messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and DNA-based constructs — have emerged as one of the most promising areas of biomedicine. These therapies work by directing cells to produce proteins, silence disease-causing genes, or stimulate immune responses. The technology offers enormous promise, but it hinges on one critical factor: effective and safe delivery.
For the past decade, lipid nanoparticles have become the gold standard in this field. LNPs are tiny, engineered vesicles that encapsulate fragile nucleic acids, protecting them from degradation while enabling delivery into target cells. Their importance was demonstrated on a global stage during the COVID-19 pandemic, when LNP-encapsulated mRNA vaccines were successfully deployed at an unprecedented scale.
However, as effective as they are, conventional LNP systems face notable limitations. They often require storage at ultra-cold temperatures, which complicates logistics and distribution. Additionally, they tend to accumulate in specific organs — most notably the liver and spleen — which restricts their therapeutic applications and increases the risk of off-target effects.
This is where Ethris’ proprietary SNaP LNP® technology enters the picture. Unlike traditional formulations, SNaP LNPs exhibit enhanced thermostability, improved mechanical resilience, and targeted delivery potential. These attributes make them well-suited for applications that were previously difficult to achieve, such as nebulized delivery to the lungs.
How the Partnership Works
Under the terms of the collaboration, Evonik will integrate Ethris’ SNaP LNP® platform into its comprehensive suite of drug formulation development services. This allows Evonik’s customers — ranging from emerging biotechs to global pharmaceutical giants — to access a proven, differentiated delivery technology while leveraging Evonik’s expertise in lipid process development, LNP formulation, and clinical manufacturing.
For Ethris, the deal provides access to Evonik’s global scale, GMP-certified facilities, and extensive track record as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for complex formulations. Together, the partners intend to create a powerful offering that not only serves the needs of pharma partners but also advances Ethris’ own internal pipeline of RNA-based therapeutics.
Tackling Key Challenges in RNA Therapeutics
JP Milde, Global Product Line Head of Parenteral Drug Delivery Solutions at Evonik, emphasized the significance of the collaboration:
“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.”
Thermostability is not a minor issue. Conventional LNP-mRNA vaccines, for instance, required storage at ultra-cold conditions (often -70°C), creating major hurdles during global distribution campaigns. By contrast, the enhanced stability of SNaP LNPs could make room-temperature storage a realistic possibility, dramatically lowering costs and expanding accessibility.
Equally important is the ability to fine-tune delivery. Ethris’ platform supports localized, organ-specific targeting, such as aerosol-based therapies for the lungs. This opens the door to treating respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis with mRNA-based approaches — a frontier that traditional LNPs struggled to reach.
Nebulized Delivery: A Breakthrough for Respiratory Therapies
One of the most compelling features of the SNaP LNP® system is its compatibility with nebulization. Delivering nucleic acid therapies directly into the lungs via aerosol has long been a goal for respiratory medicine but has proven technically challenging. Conventional LNPs typically degrade or lose integrity under the high-energy conditions of nebulization.
Ethris’ platform, however, demonstrates superior mechanical stability, enabling efficient aerosolization without compromising mRNA integrity. In clinical trials, SNaP LNP-encapsulated mRNAs exhibited no systemic bioavailability, meaning that neither the nucleic acid nor the resulting protein was detected outside the lungs. This reduces the risk of unintended side effects and underscores the precision of the delivery method.
The implications are vast: therapies for asthma, viral infections such as influenza and RSV, and even pandemic preparedness efforts could benefit from lung-targeted RNA medicines delivered through simple inhalation devices.
Ethris: A Pioneer in mRNA Innovation
Founded in 2011, Ethris has been at the forefront of RNA innovation for more than a decade. The company has developed two proprietary technology platforms:
- SNIM®RNA (Stabilized Non-Immunogenic mRNA): Designed to improve the safety and durability of RNA-based medicines by minimizing immune activation and ensuring consistent protein expression.
- SNaP LNP® (Stabilized NanoParticle Lipidoids): A next-generation lipid nanoparticle system that enhances stability, targeting, and versatility in nucleic acid delivery.
Together, these platforms form the backbone of Ethris’ clinical pipeline, which includes therapies in respiratory medicine and beyond. The company’s most advanced candidate, a stabilized mRNA therapy for asthma, is currently in Phase 2a clinical development, providing real-world validation of its approach.
Dr. Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris, explained the significance of the Evonik partnership:
“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: A Global Force in Specialty Chemicals and Pharma Services
Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Evonik is widely recognized as a global leader in specialty chemicals. But in recent years, the company has expanded aggressively into the life sciences sector, particularly through its Health Care business line, which provides excipients, formulation services, and CDMO capabilities for the pharmaceutical industry.
Evonik is already a trusted supplier of lipid excipients and has played a significant role in supporting global mRNA vaccine manufacturing. Its expertise spans lipid synthesis, LNP formulation, and GMP-compliant production, making it a natural partner for biotech innovators like Ethris.
The company’s Advanced Precision Biosolutions initiative positions nucleic acid medicines as a strategic growth field. This approach integrates cutting-edge technologies and services to provide end-to-end support — from concept and formulation through to commercial manufacturing. By entering into partnerships like the one with Ethris, Evonik is reinforcing its commitment to biotechnology-driven solutions that improve human health while maintaining ecological responsibility.
In 2024, Evonik generated €15.2 billion in sales and an adjusted EBITDA of €2.1 billion, with operations in more than 100 countries and a workforce of approximately 32,000 employees. This scale provides the backbone needed to bring innovative platforms like SNaP LNP to global markets.
Market Outlook: The Rise of Nucleic Acid Medicines
The nucleic acid therapeutics sector is expanding at a rapid pace. Once considered a niche area, it is now one of the most dynamic segments of the pharmaceutical industry. RNA-based vaccines and therapies are being developed not only for infectious diseases but also for cancer, rare genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions.
The lipid nanoparticle market — a critical enabler of this field — is projected to grow to $2.3 billion by 2032, reflecting the surge in demand for reliable delivery systems. Strategic collaborations between material science leaders and biotech innovators will be essential to meet this demand.
Evonik and Ethris are well-positioned to capture this momentum. By combining Evonik’s scale and infrastructure with Ethris’ differentiated platform, the partnership provides a one-stop solution for pharmaceutical partners seeking to enter or expand in the nucleic acid space.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond COVID-19
While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the potential of mRNA vaccines, the applications of nucleic acid delivery extend far beyond infectious disease. Emerging research suggests RNA medicines could play a transformative role in oncology, regenerative medicine, metabolic disorders, and personalized medicine.
Targeted delivery systems like SNaP LNP® will be crucial in realizing this vision. By addressing stability, distribution, and safety challenges, they pave the way for therapies that can be administered through diverse routes — intravenous, intramuscular, or even inhaled directly into the lungs.
A Strategic Partnership with Global Impact
The collaboration between Evonik and Ethris represents more than just a business deal. It reflects the broader convergence of material science, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical innovation needed to usher in the next generation of medicines.
For Evonik, the partnership strengthens its position as a trusted global CDMO and expands its portfolio of precision drug delivery solutions. For Ethris, it offers the industrial muscle required to scale its pioneering technologies and bring them to a wider audience. For the pharmaceutical industry at large, it delivers a new, powerful tool to unlock the potential of nucleic acid therapies and vaccines.
As the world continues to embrace RNA-based medicines, innovations like SNaP LNP® will determine how far and how fast the field can advance. The Evonik-Ethris partnership is therefore more than strategic — it is a critical step in shaping the future of therapeutic delivery.
