Lonza has acquired rights to Nona Biosciences’ transferrin receptor (TfR1)-based blood-brain barrier (BBB) technology and expanded its existing collaboration with the company to support development of central nervous system (CNS) therapies.
The agreement gives Lonza access to a platform designed to improve delivery of therapeutic molecules to the brain by targeting TfR1, a receptor involved in iron transport across the BBB. The barrier is a key challenge in CNS drug development, as it restricts the passage of many biologics and limits treatment options for neurological disorders.
Lonza said it will make the technology available to customers developing CNS therapies while continuing joint efforts with Nona to advance next-generation brain delivery approaches. The company plans to combine the BBB platform with its biologics development capabilities, including gene expression and bioconjugation technologies.
The collaboration builds on prior research between the companies. Preclinical data indicate that Nona’s TfR1-targeting single-domain antibody technology improved brain delivery compared with an industry benchmark in a transgenic model. The approach can be applied as an IgG fusion or through conjugation strategies.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Interest in CNS therapeutics has increased in recent years, with a growing focus on technologies that enable more consistent and targeted drug delivery to the brain. Companies are exploring a range of strategies to overcome BBB limitations, particularly for biologics.
The expanded collaboration reflects continued investment in platform technologies aimed at addressing delivery challenges in neurological drug development.