The agreement also includes a framework for the parties to include additional enzymes into the collaboration, enabling the expansion of Chiesi’s BBB-crossing ERT portfolio and further strengthening its development capabilities, they state.

Terms of the agreement

Under the terms of the agreement, Key2Brain will provide Chiesi Group with a worldwide, royalty-bearing license to develop and commercialise two BBB-crossing ERTs. This agreement is built on an existing research collaboration that aimed to develop the production of a BBB-crossing recombinant alpha-mannosidase. Key2Brain will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive development and sales-based milestone payments and tiered royalties on potential sales. Chiesi Group will fund all research, development, and subsequent commercialisation worldwide. As part of this agreement, there is also a possibility, upon mutual agreement, for the parties to expand the license to Key2Brain’s BBB-crossing technology platform for the development of additional BBB-crossing ERTs.

“Expanding our relationship with Chiesi Global Rare Disease allows us to build on a clinically validated foundation to address the neurological complications of lysosomal storage disorders, including alpha-mannosidosis and Krabbe disease. Through this agreement, we aim to accelerate the research of potential breakthrough therapies that address these neurodegenerative conditions. We believe this partnership serves as a testament to the versatility and competitiveness of our BBB-crossing technology, unique features that are being utilized in Key2Brain’s development of our proprietary next-generation brain-targeting therapies,” says Elisabet Sjöström, Founder and CEO, Key2Brain.