Intranasal drug delivery is no longer an experimental niche—it’s rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting and versatile routes of administration for CNS therapies, vaccines, and systemic treatments.
Across academia, biotech, pharma, and device innovators, new data and investment signals are converging to elevate nasal delivery from a promising concept to a clinically validated, commercially scalable reality.

As scientific confidence grows, so does the urgency for R&D teams to understand how to translate these breakthroughs into robust, patient‑ready products.
This is exactly why the 4th Nasal Formulation & Delivery Summit (May 2026 | Boston, MA) arrives at a pivotal moment for the field.

Below, we’ve highlighted a few recent developments driving this momentum—and why now is the right time to get involved.

Nose‑to‑Brain Delivery Is Demonstrating Real Therapeutic Potential

One of the most compelling frontiers in drug delivery is nose‑to‑brain transport, offering a non‑invasive alternative to bypass the blood–brain barrier.
New data emerging from Lund University illustrates this potential clearly: researchers found that NOSA’s intranasal platform achieved therapeutic drug concentrations directly in brain tissue, strengthening the case for intranasal delivery as a viable route for CNS therapies.

Why this matters:

  • CNS drugs often struggle with low BBB permeability
  • Systemic administration can require high doses and cause unwanted side effects
  • Intranasal delivery offers rapid uptake, reduced systemic exposure, and improved patient comfort

As neurodegenerative disease pipelines continue to expand, these findings signal a major step toward making nose‑to‑brain strategies clinically and commercially feasible.

Intranasal Vaccines Are Gaining Clinical Traction

The momentum isn’t limited to CNS therapies. Mucosal immunization is fast becoming a critical focus area for next‑generation vaccines.

Aptar Pharma’s nasal delivery technologies are now supporting a Phase II clinical trial for a next‑generation COVID‑19 vaccine. This illustrates a broader shift in vaccine innovation:
from traditional intramuscular approaches toward patient‑friendly, needle‑free, mucosal immunity platforms.

Why the industry is paying attention:

  • Nasal vaccines can generate stronger mucosal immunity—critical for blocking transmission
  • Needle‑free delivery increases patient acceptance and accessibility
  • Integrated device–drug development becomes essential for regulatory success

With public health agencies and immunology researchers increasingly advocating for mucosal strategies, nasal vaccines are positioned for long‑term relevance far beyond COVID‑19.

Investment Is Accelerating—And It’s Signalling Strong Market Confidence

Scientific progress is being matched with commercial validation.
A notable example: Esperion’s $75M acquisition of a nasal spray therapy for edema, a move that underscores growing confidence in intranasal therapeutics as a scalable business opportunity.

This trend indicates:

  • Investors see nasal delivery as a bridge between oral convenience and IV effectiveness
  • Pharma companies are acquiring or partnering earlier in development
  • Nasal products are proving competitive in multi‑billion‑dollar therapeutic markets

From acute care to chronic disease management, nasal delivery is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative for improving speed, efficiency, and patient experience.

Science Is Advancing. Investment Is Growing. Clinical Validation Is Accelerating. Investment Is Accelerating—And It’s Signalling Strong Market Confidence

As these forces converge, one question rises to the surface:

How is your team positioning its intranasal pipeline to keep pace with the next wave of innovation?

The pace of discovery is quickening—and R&D, formulation, device engineering, regulatory, and clinical teams must now collaborate more closely than ever to stay ahead.

Join the Experts Shaping the Future of Nasal Delivery

This May, the 4th Nasal Formulation & Delivery Summit will bring together leading innovators from:

  • Eli Lilly
  • Bayer
  • Ionis Pharmaceuticals
  • Neurelis
  • And many more across pharma, biotech, medtech, and academia

Across two days, attendees will explore the latest scientific breakthroughs, tackle critical formulation and device challenges, and connect with partners who are actively shaping the next generation of intranasal therapies.

If you’re working in CNS delivery, vaccine development, systemic nasal dosing, or device integration—this is the place to be.