Aspire Biopharma Partners with Microsize to Develop Rapid-delivery Sublingual Powder Formulation of Alprazolam for Faster Anxiety Relief

ESTERO, FL /ACCESS Newswire/ March 3, 2026 /Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASBP) ("Aspire" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing multi-faceted, patent-pending drug delivery technology, today announced a strategic partnership with Microsize (Quakertown, Pennsylvania), the largest independent North American contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on cGMP micronization and particle size engineering.

Aspire has engaged Microsize to accelerate the development of a novel sublingual powder formulation of alprazolam, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the widely prescribed anti-anxiety medication Xanax®.

Addressing the Need for Faster ReliefAlthough traditional oral alprazolam tablets are highly effective, they can take 25 minutes or more to take effect as they pass through the gastric system and liver. Aspire's novel sublingual formulation is designed to bypass the digestive tract, delivering the medication directly into the bloodstream for faster, more predictable relief of anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

"Our collaboration with Microsize is a critical milestone in bringing a modern, fast-acting alternative to millions of patients suffering from anxiety" said Kraig Higginson, Interim CEO of Aspire Biopharma. "Microsize's unparalleled expertise in particle engineering, together with the support of Pace®, a leading testing and analytical lab, will allow us to optimize our sublingual powder, accelerating our journey toward a Phase 1 clinical trial planned for mid-2026. We are aiming to be the first alprazolam sublingual product on the market."

Industry-Leading Technical CollaborationMicrosize specializes in particle size reduction, micronization, and solubility enhancement for drugs. To complement this development, Aspire has also engaged Pace®, a leading science and technology company with a nationwide network of laboratories, to manage drug-excipient compatibility, formulation development, batch manufacturing, and stability studies.

Market OpportunityAlprazolam was the 37th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in 2023, with over 15.8 million combined branded and generic prescriptions. According toResearch and Markets, the global alprazolam powder market is projected to reach $55.84 billion by 2032, driven by increasing prevalence of anxiety, a growing geriatric population, and the demand for enhanced drug delivery systems.

About MicrosizeFor over 30 years, Microsize has been a pioneer in enhancing dissolution and bioavailabilty of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API's) and functional excipients via particle size reduction technologies including milling, micronization and classification. Operating from 100,000 square feet in US-based, state-of-the-art, FDA inspected GMP facilities, Microsize has the experience and capabilities to rapidly develop, scale up, and process API's and excipients ranging from grams to multi-metric tons, including highly potent compounds. Microsize is the partner of choice from small biotechs to big pharma to CDMO's, and is recognized for its speed, responsiveness, and high customer-touch business model. Visitwww.microsize.com.

About Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.Aspire Biopharma has developed a patent-pending sublingual delivery technology that can deliver drugs to the body rapidly and precisely. This technology offers the potential to improve effectiveness and reduce side effects by going directly to the bloodstream and avoiding the gastrointestinal tract. Aspire Biopharma's delivery technology can be applied to many different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other bioactive substances, spanning small molecule therapeutics, nutraceuticals and supplements.

For more information, please visitwww.aspirebiolabs.com

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