Sironax, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on age-related diseases, announced a strategic agreement with Novartis that grants the pharmaceutical giant an exclusive option to acquire its proprietary Brain Delivery Module (BDM) platform. The deal positions Novartis to potentially gain access to a differentiated blood-brain-barrier crossing technology designed to enhance brain delivery of therapeutics across various modalities.
Under the terms of the agreement announced July 9, 2025, Novartis will evaluate the BDM platform within a specified option period. Upon option exercise, Novartis will acquire full global rights to the platform, while Sironax is eligible to receive up to $175 million in upfront and near-term payments. Notably, Sironax retains the right to continue developing selected therapeutic assets using the platform.
Addressing Critical Drug Delivery Challenge
The collaboration targets one of the most significant obstacles in neuroscience drug development. "Effectively delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier remains one of the most important challenges in drug discovery," said Robert Baloh, Global Head of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research at Novartis. "We're excited to enter into this agreement with Sironax to fully explore the promise of the BDM platform, leveraging our deep expertise and capabilities in neuroscience to bring forward next-generation therapies for patients in need."
The blood-brain barrier represents a formidable challenge for pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for neurological conditions, as it prevents many potentially therapeutic compounds from reaching brain tissue where they could exert their effects.
Strategic Alignment for Global Expansion
Dr. Shefali Agarwal, President and CEO of Sironax, emphasized the strategic value of the partnership. "This partnership combines Novartis's global expertise in neuroscience with Sironax's high-quality innovation, maximizing the potential impact of our brain delivery platform," she said. "At the same time, we will continue to explore our targets of interest with the platform and deliver brain-penetrant therapeutics. This strategic alignment empowers Sironax to accelerate its global expansion and clinical development, reinforcing our commitment to redefining what's possible for patients living with serious neurological conditions."
Company Background and Pipeline
Sironax is a clinical-stage biotech company dedicated to discovering and developing transformational therapies that address the root causes of age-related diseases. The company approaches aging by targeting three core drivers: dysregulated cell death, uncontrolled inflammation, and disrupted energy homeostasis. According to the company, its pipeline contains multiple first-in-class and potentially best-in-class programs currently at clinical stage.
The agreement represents a significant milestone for both companies as they work to advance neurological therapeutics. The collaboration structure allows Sironax to maintain development rights for selected assets while potentially providing Novartis with a platform technology that could enhance its neuroscience portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas.
