Intranasal

Intranasal delivery exploits richly vascularized nasal mucosa and direct nose-to-brain pathways (olfactory and trigeminal) to enable rapid systemic and CNS uptake without IV access. It is suitable for emergency analgesics, anticonvulsants, naloxone, and mucosal vaccines; formulation, mucociliary clearance, and deposition determine bioavailability.

Technical Challenges

  • Rapid mucociliary clearance and limited nasal residence time reduce absorption and dose consistency.

  • Inter-individual and situational variability (rhinitis, blood, dehydration, cold environment) alter bioavailability.

  • Restricted deliverable volume and concentration limit dosing for many small-molecule and biologic agents.

  • Formulation-related irritation, local toxicity, and potential for nasal mucosa damage with permeation enhancers.

  • Predictable nose-to-brain targeting and translational models for CNS delivery remain immature.

Emerging Opportunities

  • Device solutions that ensure reproducible deposition in turbinates and olfactory regions under field conditions.

  • Stable, concentrated formulations (liquid and dry powder) that preserve potency, sterility, and tolerability.

  • Safe, effective absorption enhancers or mucoadhesive systems that extend residence time without mucosal injury.

  • Validated preclinical and clinical endpoints for nose-to-brain transport and military-relevant efficacy (e.g., seizure termination, analgesia onset).

  • Scalable manufacturing and cold-chain–resilient products suited to austere logistics and prolonged field care.

Current and Emerging Technologies in Intranasal

Mucosal atomization devices and metered-dose atomizers

Portable atomizers and prefilled metered devices provide consistent droplet size and rapid administration without IV setup, ideal for prehospital and point-of-injury use.

Dry powder intranasal formulations

Stable powders enable thermostable vaccines and biologics, improve shelf life in austere settings, and may enhance uptake to olfactory regions when engineered for particle size and flow.

Mucoadhesive polymers and absorption enhancers

Chitosan derivatives, cellulose ethers, and novel excipients extend residence time and open paracellular pathways to increase bioavailability while maintaining mucosal safety.

Nanoparticle and liposomal carriers for targeted delivery

Nanocarriers can protect labile cargos, permit controlled release, and facilitate trans-epithelial or neuronal transport for CNS-active drugs and vaccines.

Smart devices and sensors for dose confirmation

Integrated dose trackers, Bluetooth-enabled logs, and feedback sensors improve adherence, allow after-action review, and support remote clinical decision-making in distributed care.

Importance to Military Medicine

Rapid, non‑IV intervention at point of injury

Enables immediate administration of lifesaving agents (analgesics, naloxone, anticonvulsants) when IV access is delayed or impossible.

Support for prolonged and austere care

Therapies that are stable at ambient temperatures and do not require infusion pumps reduce logistic burden during extended field care.

Force readiness through mucosal immunization

Nasal vaccines can elicit local mucosal immunity and reduce transmission risk in close-quarter deployments.

Minimized skill requirements for frontline providers

Simplified administration suits medics, corpsmen, and nonmedical responders operating under fire or in remote environments.

Alignment with the MTEC Mission

Accelerates translational pathways from bench to deployed use by combining device, formulation, and clinical expertise in line with MTEC’s DoD-focused mission.

Supports combat casualty care, infectious disease defense, and prolonged/distributed care portfolios prioritized by MTEC.

Enables dual-use solutions that yield civilian public-health benefits while meeting military readiness and austere logistics requirements.

Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications

Prehospital and point-of-injury analgesia, emergency seizure control, opioid overdose reversal, rapid vaccination for outbreak control, and targeted CNS drug delivery for TBI/concussion therapies.

Explore MTEC Members with Intranasal Capabilities

MTEC members—spanning academic formulation scientists, device manufacturers, clinical trialists, and military medical researchers—bring complementary expertise to solve formulation, device, and clinical-validation gaps. Explore member profiles to identify partners with experience in nasal vaccines, dry-powder platforms, atomizer design, and field-testing in austere environments.

64 Members with Intranasal capabilities.

Member
Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.

Member
FiteBac Pharma

FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.

Member
Auburn University

Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.

Member
University of Arkansas

The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.

Member
Action Medical Technologies

Action Medical Technologies is a pharmaceutical and medical device company focused on developing innovative solutions that integrate medications with advanced devices and injector systems to improve patient outcomes, particularly in austere prehospital environments.

Member
The University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.

Member
Memsel

Memsel is a biotechnology research and development company dedicated to enhancing health and combatting infections through advanced phage therapies and targeted delivery systems. The company aims to transform healthcare solutions across human, animal, and plant domains, addressing critical health challenges and antibiotic resistance.

Member
Boston University

Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.

Member
Baylor University

Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Member
University of Maryland, Baltimore

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is Maryland’s public health, law, and human services university. It is dedicated to improving the human condition and serving the public good through education, research, clinical care, and service. UMB is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland and offers a wide range of professional degrees in health care, human services, and law.

Member
University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a top doctoral and research institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Established in 1947, UNCW has grown to serve nearly 18,000 students and employs about 2,500 staff. The university is dedicated to providing a powerful academic experience that fosters creative inquiry, critical thinking, and thoughtful expression in a beautiful coastal setting. UNCW is committed to educational excellence, community engagement, and global connections, making it a vibrant part of the southeastern North Carolina community. UNCW also emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and mutual respect within its diverse community.

Member
University of Missouri-Kansas City

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is dedicated to transforming today's learners into tomorrow's leaders through innovative education, research, and community engagement. With over 125 academic programs, UMKC fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers students to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.

Member
Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world, dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With a history of innovation spanning nearly 150 years, Mayo Clinic is committed to transforming healthcare through research, education, and compassionate care, ensuring that the best possible treatment is available to everyone.

Member
Temple University

Temple University is Philadelphia’s only public university and a global center of academic excellence. It is classified as an R1 institution, indicating very high research activity, and offers over 600 academic programs across 17 diverse schools and colleges. The university is committed to providing accessible education that fosters positive change and prepares students to become leaders in their fields. Additionally, Temple emphasizes a vibrant campus life enriched by arts, culture, and a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The university also promotes a tobacco-free environment to enhance the health and well-being of its community. Temple's athletics program further enhances student life, with 19 varsity teams competing at the NCAA Division I level, fostering school spirit and community engagement.

Member
University of Kentucky

The Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA) at the University of Kentucky is dedicated to transforming tomorrow by streamlining grants and contracts. OSPA provides essential services to faculty and staff, including assistance with proposal preparation, award negotiation, and compliance with sponsor policies.

Member
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a nonprofit research and development organization that provides independent, premier services to government and industry clients. Founded in 1947, SwRI is committed to advancing science and technology to benefit humanity, focusing on innovative solutions that improve human health and safety. With a diverse range of technical divisions, SwRI addresses complex challenges in various fields including mechanical engineering, materials, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and more.

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