The Nasal Peptide CompanyStarting with a nasal GLP-1
We're building a platform for peptides and biologics with nanoparticle technology from Columbia University.
Preclinical development
Getting peptide medicines to the brain
Peptides are chains of amino acids. Many are useful medicines, but getting them to the brain can be difficult because of the blood-brain barrier. Our goal is to develop biodegradable nanoparticles to carry peptides and biologics in a nasal formulation into the CNS.
Scroll to follow the particle through the five stages below.
Semaglutide is the first peptide we're studying. You may know it by its brand names Ozempic or Wegovy.
A biodegradable polymer particle holds and protects the drug. Drag to turn it over.
The formulation is intended for the upper part of the nose, where the olfactory epithelium is located.
Our preclinical studies measure where the drug goes after nasal dosing, including how much reaches the brain.
The particle is designed to release the drug slowly over time, extending its half-life. Concepts are illustrative and being investigated in preclinical studies.
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1 / The medicine
Semaglutide is the first peptide we're studying. You may know it by its brand names Ozempic or Wegovy.
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2 / The carrier
A biodegradable polymer particle holds and protects the drug.
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3 / The nasal route
The formulation is intended for the upper part of the nose, where the olfactory epithelium is located.
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4 / Measuring delivery
Our preclinical studies measure where the drug goes after nasal dosing, including how much reaches the brain.
Proposed route shown as a dashed line. Brain delivery remains under investigation. -
5 / Release
The particle is designed to release the drug slowly over time, extending its half-life. Concepts are illustrative and being investigated in preclinical studies.
Nanoparticle releases GLP-1 cargo over time. Concepts are illustrative and being investigated in preclinical studies.
A company people can get to know.
Most people have little connection to the companies developing their medicines. We want people to understand what we're building, how we're testing it, and why it matters.
That also means thinking about everyday use: how a nasal device opens, feels in the hand, and fits into someone's day.
Our vision →
Early device concepts. The final design will depend on the formulation and its delivery requirements.
Introducing LionBio
The people behind the work
Our approach came from nanoparticle research in Kam Leong's lab at Columbia University, where he has over 60 patents and 80,000 citations. The rest of the team has decades of experience in drug delivery, intranasal delivery, and nanoparticle manufacturing.
Meet the team →
Robin Guo
Kam Leong
Huiyi Liang
Stephen Shrewsbury
Kelsey Satterly
Ben Maynor
Ed Guo
Scott Harris
Eli WeinbergFollow our progress
Research updates and news from the team.
For research, partnerships or investor inquiries: hello@lion.bio