Ossianix Receives Milestone Payment from Lundbeck for BBB Antibody Delivery Technology

Ossianix Inc., which has generated a world leading platform for delivering biotherapeutic products into the CNS using the highly versatile single domain VNAR antibody from the shark, has received a milestone payment from Lundbeck following the successful completion of the objectives from a 2014 research collaboration agreement. The project focused on both technology development and the delivery of antibody therapeutics to the brain via the BBB. Financial terms of the milestone payment were not disclosed.

The highly versatile single domain VNAR antibody from the shark underpins Ossianix’s proprietary BBB-crossing technology. By fusing an antibody that targets a molecule in the brain to a VNAR that binds to the BBB transferrin receptor, the therapeutic protein can be shuttled across the barrier. Once inside the brain, it binds to its drug target. This “Trojan Horse” approach has many favorable characteristics including the ability to deliver bispecific antibodies to the brain at therapeutic doses and can be used in multiple species including humans.

Dr. Frank Walsh, Ossianix CEO, said: “Ossianix is delighted that Lundbeck, a global leader in neuroscience drug discovery and development, has recognized the potential of our blood-brain barrier delivery technology and taken a license for the development of a number of CNS products. Our technology platform is highly versatile and can deliver high levels of therapeutically relevant antibodies to the brain, providing a new approach to the treatment of neurologic disease.”

Dr. Kim Andersen, Senior Vice President of Global Research at Lundbeck said: “Ossianix has generated a world leading platform for delivering antibodies and potentially other drug agents into the brain with significant potential to benefit patients with diseases in the central nervous system.”