Noxopharm’s Inhaled Drug Cuts Lung Inflammation 77% in Pivotal Partnership Study
Noxopharm and InhaTarget deliver lung inflammation breakthrough
Clinical-stage biotech company Noxopharm (ASX: NOX) has reported a 77% reduction in lung inflammation using its Sofra oligonucleotides delivered via inhalable lipid nanoparticles developed by Belgium-based InhaTarget Therapeutics. The result represents the first study data from a European collaboration announced through Material Transfer Agreements signed in October 2024 and May 2025.
InhaTarget Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company specialising in inhalation-based drug delivery for lung-related diseases. The collaboration marks a new delivery method for Noxopharm’s Sofra technology platform, distinct from the antibody and protein conjugation methods previously tested with BioRay and Tezcat.
The study assessed five inflammatory biomarkers in a mouse model of lung inflammation. The 77% average reduction in inflammatory marker levels was statistically significant (p < 0.0001, n = 7). The data provides proof-of-concept that Sofra oligonucleotides can be effectively delivered via inhalation, expanding the platform’s commercial applications beyond oncology into respiratory disease.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What are lipid nanoparticles and why does inhalation delivery matter?
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are tiny fat-based particles that encapsulate and protect drug cargo for targeted delivery to specific tissues. Inhalation delivery allows drugs to reach lung tissue directly, reducing systemic side effects while increasing local drug concentration at the disease site.
The commercial opportunity is substantial. The global market for inhaled therapies was valued at approximately US$11.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed US$16 billion by 2034. Lung inflammatory diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with significant unmet medical needs in achieving durable control of airway inflammation and treating patients with inadequate responses to current therapies.
For Noxopharm, the data demonstrates that Sofra technology can access a large, growing market segment through partnership-driven development without bearing the full development cost internally.
Study methodology and results
The study design involved inducing lung inflammation in mice using R848, a TLR7/8 agonist. Noxopharm’s TLR7/8-inhibiting oligonucleotides were encapsulated in InhaTarget’s proprietary lung-targeting LNPs and delivered via airway inhalation. The result was a significant reduction across five inflammatory biomarkers, averaging 77% decrease versus the untreated group.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Mouse lung inflammation |
| Inflammation inducer | R848 (TLR7/8 agonist) |
| Drug | Noxopharm TLR7/8-inhibiting oligonucleotide |
| Delivery system | InhaTarget inhalable LNP |
| Result | Over 75% reduction in inflammation |
| Statistical significance | p < 0.0001, n = 7 |
InhaTarget successfully developed an optimised formulation process for Sofra oligonucleotides during the collaboration period between October 2024 and May 2025. The company’s expertise spans drug formulation, inhalation delivery, immunology, preclinical development and clinical operations.
Partnership positions Sofra platform for clinical advancement
The study was conducted internally by InhaTarget using Noxopharm’s Sofra assets under the Material Transfer Agreement structure. This partnership approach de-risks development by leveraging InhaTarget’s formulation and clinical expertise while allowing Noxopharm to validate its platform across multiple delivery methods.
Frédéric De Coninck, CEO, InhaTarget Therapeutics
“We are very pleased to be working with Noxopharm. This novel and highly innovative platform represents a strong fit with our delivery system. We look forward to expanding our collaboration in the coming months and aim to advance this technology toward clinical trials.”
The CEO’s commentary signals intent to advance the technology toward clinical trials, representing a meaningful de-risking milestone for Noxopharm’s platform validation strategy.
Sofra platform continues to demonstrate versatility
The InhaTarget collaboration forms part of Noxopharm’s broader strategy to validate Sofra through multiple delivery methods and tissue types. The company has announced partnerships with BioRay (antibody conjugation) and Tezcat (target-specific protein conjugation), demonstrating the platform’s applicability across autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, RNA therapeutics enhancement and oncology.
The three delivery methods now validated are:
- Inhalable LNP delivery (InhaTarget) for respiratory disease
- Antibody conjugation (BioRay) for targeted delivery
- Protein conjugation (Tezcat) for targeted delivery
Dr Olivier Laczka, CEO, Noxopharm
“This project offers yet another delivery method for our versatile oligonucleotides, and another tissue type as well. Our Sofra technology has broad relevance to many diseases, and we will continue expanding the platform while working with pioneering partners like InhaTarget to showcase Sofra’s multiple use cases.”
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
Market opportunity and investment thesis
Noxopharm’s partnership-driven development model provides a capital-efficient approach to platform validation across multiple large markets. The Sofra technology is based on proprietary oligonucleotides that regulate inflammation by acting on specific immune sensors, with potential applications spanning several high-value therapeutic areas.
The addressable market opportunity includes:
- Inhaled therapies market: US$11.6 billion (2024) → US$16+ billion (2034)
- Autoimmune therapeutics: US$163.2 billion (2024) → US$219.6 billion (2035)
- Immuno-oncology: US$43 billion (2023) → US$284 billion (2033)
The positive preclinical data from the InhaTarget study validates the Sofra platform’s commercial potential while Noxopharm preserves capital through collaborative development arrangements. Each partnership tests a different delivery method and tissue type, systematically building evidence for the platform’s versatility without requiring Noxopharm to fund full internal development programmes across all applications simultaneously.
The over 75% reduction in lung inflammation provides proof-of-concept data supporting the platform’s anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrates successful formulation optimisation by a specialist partner. InhaTarget’s stated aim to advance toward clinical trials represents tangible progression beyond preclinical validation.
Don’t Miss the Next Biotech Breakthrough
Join 20,000+ investors getting FREE breaking ASX news delivered to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Click the “Free Alerts” button at StockWire X to start receiving alerts the moment market-moving biotech announcements break.