NanoPhoria

NanoPhoria is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary Nano-in-Micro delivery platform to advance cardiovascular treatments. Their technology utilizes inorganic calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles embedded within respirable microparticles, designed to deliver therapeutic peptides and RNAs via dry powder inhalation. This approach aims to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic first-pass metabolism, allowing for tissue-directed delivery directly to the heart. By leveraging the lungs as a gateway, the system enables cardiomyocytes to take up the CaP nanoparticles, where the carried therapeutics can then be released to address specific molecular drivers of disease.

The company’s lead product, NP-MP1, is currently in development for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF). It is designed to regulate dysfunctional L-type calcium channels in cardiomyocytes, a key mechanism linked to heart failure progression. By correcting channel trafficking and restoring physiological function, the therapy aims to act as a disease-modifying treatment rather than a purely symptomatic one. This work addresses a major unmet medical need in cardiovascular care, supported by preclinical evidence of improved cardiac contractility in large animal models. NanoPhoria, founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the National Research Council of Italy, has secured significant venture capital backing and recognition, including notable Series A funding and startup awards.