US-based startup LionBio, which describes itself as “The Nasal Peptide Company,” has published a video announcing the company’s launch with $6 million in seed funding and nose-to-brain delivery technology developed at Columbia University developed by co-founder Kam Leong. In the video, LionBio CEO and co-founder Robin Guo explains that the company will first develop an intranasal GLP-1 based.
Guo says, that “innovating on the molecule and the GLP-1 agonist is not the issue anymore. Delivery is the issue.” Leong explains that the intranasal nanoparticle formulation is designed for delivery through the olfactory bulb to the brain, which not only has been shown to be more effective in a mouse model than injection, but also caused less vomiting.
Guo adds that since its inception 6 months ago, the company has completed a PK study and signed a contract with a manufacturer. He also cites the experienced team, which includes former Impel R&D Director Kelsey Slattery as VP of Preclinical; former Impel Chief Medical Officer Stephen Shrewsbury as CMO, and former Liquidia R&D executive Benjamin Maynor as VP, CMC.
According to Guo, LionBio has raised $6 million in a pre-seed round led by South Park Commons. In addition to GLP-1, the company says that it plans to develop nasal formulations of insulin, oxytocin, orexin-a, and GHRH.
Watch the LionBio launch video
