Lonza Secures Nona’s BBB Technology for CNS Drug Development

Lonza has acquired rights to Nona Biosciences’ transferrin receptor 1, or TfR1, blood-brain barrier technology, expanding its capabilities in central nervous system drug development and biologics manufacturing.

The agreement gives Lonza access to Nona’s blood-brain barrier, or BBB, crossing technology and allows the contract development and manufacturing organization to make the platform available immediately to companies developing treatments for neurological and central nervous system diseases. Lonza and Nona will also expand their strategic collaboration to develop next-generation BBB delivery technologies for biologics and other complex therapeutic molecules.

The blood-brain barrier is a protective biological system that prevents many substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain. While the barrier is essential for protecting the central nervous system, it also creates one of the biggest challenges in neuroscience drug development. Many potential medicines, including antibodies, proteins and gene-based therapies, struggle to reach therapeutic levels in the brain.

Lonza said the newly acquired TfR1 technology is designed to help CNS therapy developers improve delivery of biologics across the blood-brain barrier. The company plans to combine the platform with its existing biologics development technologies, including the GS Gene Expression System and GlycoConnect bioconjugation technology.

The TfR1 platform uses single-domain VHH antibodies that bind to transferrin receptor 1, a receptor found on cells lining the blood-brain barrier. The technology can be used as an immunoglobulin G, or IgG, fusion or through conjugation with therapeutic molecules. This approach is intended to help medicines cross the BBB and reach target cells in the brain.

Preclinical research from the companies’ previous collaboration showed that Nona’s TfR1-binding VHH technology improved brain delivery compared with an industry benchmark in a relevant transgenic model. The data also showed increased neuronal uptake and broader distribution within brain tissue, suggesting the technology could support the development of treatments for complex neurological diseases.

The agreement comes as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies increase investment in CNS therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, neurodegenerative disorders, rare neurological diseases and other disorders affecting the brain and nervous system. However, drug delivery remains a major obstacle for many promising CNS treatment candidates.

Peter Droc, head of licensing at Lonza, said the acquisition of the intellectual property rights will allow the company to support customers from early technology licensing through integrated development and commercial manufacturing. He said the model could reduce complexity for drug developers and help accelerate the path from research to patients.

Ulrich Osswald, vice president of global innovation at Lonza, said the TfR1 BBB technology adds an important tool for improving consistent delivery of biologics to the brain. He said the platform’s preclinical results showed stronger brain penetration and neuronal uptake than the industry benchmark.

Nona Chief Executive Officer Di Hong said the expanded collaboration demonstrates the potential of the company’s HCAb Harbour Mice platform to generate fully human single-domain binders for difficult drug delivery challenges. The companies expect the partnership to create new BBB shuttle solutions for CNS therapies and help unlock new treatment approaches for patients with serious neurological disorders.