Asahi Kasei, a global leader in healthcare materials and pharmaceutical technologies, announced the launch of two new specialty grades in its Sonanos™ portfolio, a next-generation excipient platform designed to improve the formulation of injectable drugs. Paid samples of the new grades are already available, with GMP-compliant products scheduled for commercial release in 2027. This expansion aligns with Asahi Kasei’s long-term growth strategy to strengthen its presence in the rapidly growing pharmaceutical materials market.
The demand for biologics, peptides, and oncology therapies is increasing globally, driving pharmaceutical companies to overcome challenges related to drug formulation, solubility, and sustained delivery. Sonanos™ addresses these challenges by enabling enhanced solubility and sustained-release capabilities, facilitating the development of long-acting injectables and improving the formulation of poorly water-soluble compounds. By overcoming these formulation hurdles, Sonanos™ opens new therapeutic possibilities and improves patient convenience.
Since 2020, Asahi Kasei has collaborated with global pharmaceutical companies on more than 60 feasibility studies using Sonanos™ samples. These studies have guided the development of two new specialty grades:
- Sonanos™ PG – Optimized for the sustained release of biologics and peptides, enabling long-acting formulations and supporting patient-friendly dosing regimens.
- Sonanos™ DS – Designed to enhance the solubility of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), expanding the range of compounds that can be effectively formulated.
Both grades were developed through extensive optimization, including the ability to encapsulate higher concentrations of active ingredients compared to earlier prototypes. These improvements build on the company’s experience with previous samples and are tailored to meet the evolving needs of pharmaceutical developers.
Samples of Sonanos™ PG and DS, complete with guaranteed analytical values, are now available for nonclinical development. Asahi Kasei plans to provide GMP-compliant products in 2027, ensuring alignment with international pharmaceutical standards for excipient quality and impurities—an essential requirement for clinical development.
“Sonanos™ represents a significant step forward for our organization and healthcare focus,” said Hideyuki Kimura, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Healthcare Materials Division. “This expanded lineup of excipient products deepens Asahi Kasei’s role in the pharmaceutical industry by addressing customer needs in innovative ways and supporting the development of advanced injectable therapies.”
Commercial and Therapeutic Relevance
The Sonanos™ platform is also being advanced through Asahi Kasei’s spin-out venture, DiveRadGel Inc., which leverages the technology for cancer vaccine development. The vaccine-grade Sonanos™ DV has already entered GMP production to support early-stage clinical trials, underscoring the platform’s potential for both commercial and therapeutic applications.
Alongside Sonanos™, Asahi Kasei’s Healthcare Materials Division offers microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) excipients such as Ceolus™ and Celphere™, further broadening its excipient portfolio and reinforcing its commitment to supporting pharmaceutical formulation needs.
Upcoming Industry Showcase
Sonanos™ and other healthcare materials will be featured at AAPS 2025 PharmSci 360, taking place in San Antonio, Texas, from November 10–12 at booth #3443. As part of the event, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa from Asahi Kasei’s New Product Development Office, Healthcare Materials Division, will present:
“Hyaluronic Acid Nanogel: A Next-Generation Excipient for Injectable Formulations to Prolong Drug Release and Enhance API Solubility”
This presentation will highlight the innovative capabilities of Sonanos™ nanogel excipients and their applications in enhancing drug delivery, solubility, and sustained-release formulations.
Looking Ahead
With the addition of Sonanos™ PG and DS, Asahi Kasei is poised to address critical formulation challenges in the pharmaceutical industry and support the development of next-generation injectable therapies. By combining scientific innovation, GMP compliance, and strategic partnerships, the company continues to provide solutions that enhance drug performance, patient convenience, and therapeutic outcomes.
The launch of these specialty excipients reinforces Asahi Kasei’s position as a trusted provider of advanced healthcare materials and demonstrates its commitment to enabling innovation in drug delivery and formulation science.
