Nanoform Receives Funding to Advance Clinical Development of Nanoapalutamide
Business Finland is providing Nanoform with a EUR 5 million R&D loan to be used to accelerate the clinical development of the nanoformulated version of apalutamide through to the pivotal bioequivalence study.
Nanoparticle medicine performance-enhancing company, Nanoform Finland, has announced that it has secured a loan worth EUR 5 million from Business Finland (1). The R&D loan will be used to advance the clinical development of nanoapalutamide through to the pivotal bioequivalence study.
Nanoapalutamide is Nanoform’s proprietary nanocrystalline next-generation reformulation of apalutamide (Erleada, Johnson & Johnson), created through a product co-development program for value-added medicines. This nanoformulated version allows for a greater drug load, meaning the tablet size is reduced substantially, improving patient adherence and reducing pill burden.
“We are grateful for Business Finland’s continued support and confidence in our technology and vision,” said Prof. Edward Hæggström, CEO of Nanoform, in a company press release (1). “This funding enables us to further accelerate the clinical validation of our nanoformulation platform and bring a more patient-friendly and sustainable alternative to market.”
The EUR 5 million loan will cover 50% of the clinical development costs, with 30% of the loan being provided in advance, prior to the project starting, and the remaining 20% being based on realized costs. The interest rate for the loan has been set at three percent below the base interest rate or can be at least one percent below with no collateral required. The loan period has been set as 10 years, five of which are instalment-free. Should the project fail, or the results are not usable in the company’s business operations, part of the loan may remain uncollected.
In Q1 of 2024, the company revealed the results of an internal pre-clinical, in-vivo study of a nanocrystalline-enabled apalutamide oral formulation, demonstrating the potential advantages of the nanoformulated product (2). The study demonstrated that the nanocrystalline-enabled formulation provided a high serum concentration, fast time to peak drug concentration, and 100% absolute bioavailability. Additionally, the study proved the drug loading potential of the nanoformulated version of apalutamide, allowing for smaller pill size and lower pill burden.
“These encouraging results follow our successful clinical study on nanoenzalutamide, our improved version of yet another blockbuster ASD [amorphous solid dispersion] product in the prostate cancer field, and further validates the opportunity to leverage our formulation platforms to help patients by transitioning to nanoformed products,” explained Hæggström in a press release about the study (2). “Through our proprietary AI [artificial intelligence] technology platform, we’ve identified that most ASD products are amenable for improvements with Nanoform technologies, covering multiple therapy areas including cancer, HIV and CNS.”
References
Nanoform. Nanoform Secures €5 Million R&D Loan from Business Finland to Advance Clinical Development of Nanoapalutamide. Press Release, June 19, 2025.
Nanoform. Apalutamide Study Again Demonstrates the Advantages of Nanoforming Over Traditional Cancer Treatment Formulations. Press Release, Feb. 29, 2024.