Bridging functional bionanomaterials and the clinic: strategic communication as a translational enabler

Functional bionanomaterials have enabled major advances in nanomedicine through their tunable physicochemical properties, multifunctionality, and ability to interact with biological systems in a controlled manner. Despite sustained progress in materials design and preclinical validation, the clinical translation of bionanomaterials remains limited, with only a small fraction achieving regulatory approval and routine clinical use. While technical performance, safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory complexity are widely recognized as key translational barriers, the role of strategic communication in shaping stakeholder understanding, trust, and adoption has received comparatively little attention. In this Perspective, we argue that strategic communication should be considered a core translational enabler for functional bionanomaterials rather than a downstream dissemination activity, as in current trends. We identify recurrent communication gaps between bionanomaterial developers and key stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, regulators, and investors, that contribute to misaligned expectations, heightened risk perception, and delayed clinical adoption. Drawing on examples from nanomedicine translation, we discuss how differences in language, decision-making frameworks, and perceived value across stakeholder groups, can impede progress even for technically mature platforms. Building on insights from translational medicine, behavioral science, and innovation studies, we propose a structured communication framework tailored to the specific challenges of functional bionanomaterials. This framework emphasizes early integration of communication planning, stakeholder-specific narrative framing, visual and digital tools to reduce cognitive complexity, and iterative feedback mechanisms. We further discuss practical approaches for evaluating communication impact using measurable indicators such as stakeholder awareness, trust, regulatory feedback, and clinical uptake. By reframing communication as a bidirectional and designable component of the translational pipeline, this Perspective aims to support more efficient pathways for bringing functional bionanomaterials from the laboratory to the clinic.