One of the major challenges in the medical industry today is the efficient and targeted delivery of therapeutics. Traditional methods often result in therapeutics being distributed throughout the body rather than to the target site, reducing efficacy and increasing the risk of side effects.
Another challenge is the early and accurate diagnosis of diseases. Current diagnostic methods can be invasive and costly, and they may not detect diseases until they have progressed to a late stage.
Targeted drug delivery systems can fix these issues by increasing the therapeutic index of compounds and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. They can minimize drug accumulation in healthy body sites and reduce the side effects of toxicity.
Nanoencapsulation can also protect therapeutics from degradation in biological environments and provide solubilization. Additionally, these drug delivery systems can help develop more precise diagnostic tests and imaging techniques.
This article details five startups developing innovative, sustainable drug-delivery systems.
1. 1inhaler makes a foldable inhaler as small as a credit card
| Founding Year | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Total Funding Amount | £2M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed round/£2M |
| Website | linkedin.com/company/1nhaler-ltd/about |
1inhaler makes a breath-activated, single-dose inhaler the size of a credit card. This inhaler design can transform from its basic 2D flat shape into a 3D inhaler that can deliver various inhalable dry powder drugs.
1inhaler’s product is more affordable and environmentally friendly than bulky plastic alternatives. It is portable, disposable, and recyclable. This low-cost device is made from cardboard and completely flat in storage. It will help replace traditional inhalers, which account for 3% of the NHS carbon footprint.
Their CEO, Lisa McMyn, is an experienced business executive, product development expert, and serial entrepreneur.
1inhaler has raised a total of £2M in funding. This was from a seed round raised on Nov 27, 2023.
2. Corami Therapeutics places therapeutic gels directly on the heart
| Founding Year | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Gaussan, France |
| Total Funding Amount | $141.8K |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Grant round/$41.9K |
| Website | crunchbase.com/organization/corami-therapeutics |
Corami Therapeutics is an early-stage startup developing a combination platform drug delivery device and therapeutic hydrogels. Their key innovation is a catheter device that enables therapeutic gels to be applied directly to the heart surface.
This targeted delivery ensures the heart receives a sustained gel dose while minimizing side effects associated with broader dosing. This procedure is minimally invasive, can be done in a cath lab, and only takes approximately 30 minutes.
The startup’s platform focuses on cardiac applications, leading to a treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Current medications to treat AF have low success rates and potentially toxic side effects.
Their technology was initially conceptualized in Dr. Rebecca Levit’s lab at Emory University. She is also the Chief Scientific Officer of Corami Therapeutics.
Corami Therapeutics has raised a total of $141.8K in funding. Their latest funding was raised from a Grant round on Oct 3, 2017.
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3. SmartTab makes capsules that target specific areas
| Founding Year | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Colorado, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $2.2M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Non-equity Assistance round, amount undisclosed |
| Website | smarttab.co |
SmartTab is a wireless drug-delivery platform that uses ingestible capsules. These capsules can deliver medication to targeted areas, such as the stomach, intestines, and colon. These capsules can also connect to smart devices via Bluetooth to monitor therapy optimization.
SmartTab’s platform is designed to meet patients’ needs and is focused on improving the effectiveness and security of interactions between merchants and their customers.
They offer two game-changing products: TargetTab™, a battery-free pill that releases medication in your body at a predetermined location, and InjectTab™, a pill that painlessly gives you a shot without a visit to the doctor.
The CEO of SmartTab, Robert Niichel, has over a decade of experience in researching, developing, and project management. He has founded four successful companies and was named the “Most Innovative CEO of the Year 2021” by Tycoon Success.
SmartTab has raised a total of $2.2M in funding. Their latest funding was from a non-equity assistance round on December 8, 2021.
4. Gasgon Medical’s device removes air bubbles from IV fluids
| Founding Year | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Cork, Ireland |
| Total Funding Amount | €2.4M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed round/€2.3M |
| Website | www.gasgonmedical.com |
Gasgon Medical is a medical device startup developing innovative fluid management products for the clinical market.
The company primarily serves the healthcare sector, offering solutions to hospitals and clinics to improve patient care and reduce healthcare provider costs.
Their flagship product, AirVault™, is designed to remove Air-in-Line bubbles from intravenous (IV) infusion therapy, reducing the risk of air embolism and the need for nurse interventions.
By working directly with doctors, nurses, and caregivers and learning from their frontline experience, Gasgon Medical is developing specific tools to improve patient experience and clinical outcomes.
The CEO, Vincent Forde, has over 15 years of startup management experience developing medical device solutions.
Gasgon Medical has raised a total of €2.4M in funding. Their latest funding came from a Seed round on April 26, 2022.
5. Mana.bio uses AI to create lipid nanoparticle systems
| Founding Year | 2021 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Total Funding Amount | $29.5M |
| Last Funding Round/Amount | Seed Round /$19.5M |
| Website | www.mana.bio |
Mana.bio is a leading AI-based drug delivery startup focused on gene therapy, including DNA-and RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. Their technology uses machine learning and nanotechnology to identify lipid nanoparticle formulations.
The startup’s main product is its unique AI-based lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform, which accelerates the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics and vaccines. By integrating machine learning and high-throughput screening into its development process, Mana.Bio LNPs can deliver RNA payloads to specific tissues more safely and effectively.
Its CEO, Yogev Debbi, has over a decade of entrepreneurial experience. He previously co-founded Genome Compiler Corp, which was successfully acquired by Twist Bioscience.
Mana.bio has raised a total of $29.5M in funding. Their latest funding came from a Seed round on October 10, 2023.
Partner with such cutting-edge drug delivery startups to tackle your industry’s toughest challenges and stay ahead of the competition.
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