Aspire Biopharma is collaborating with Microsize to develop a new sublingual powder formulation of alprazolam, the active ingredient in the anxiety medication Xanax.[1][2] This formulation is designed to bypass the digestive system and liver, ensuring a faster and more predictable entry of the drug into the bloodstream compared to traditional pills that take 25 minutes or longer to take effect.[1][2] The collaboration includes Microsize's expertise in particle engineering, micronization and solubility enhancement.[1][2] Aspire also engaged Pace in compatibility, formulation, batch production and stability studies.[1][2] A planned phase 1 clinical trial is scheduled for mid-2026.[1][2] Alprazolam was the 37th most commonly prescribed drug in the US in 2023, with 15.8 million prescriptions.[2][6][7] It aims to be the first sublingual powder formulation of alprazolam on the market.[1][2]