Axio BioPharma Inc., a next-generation biomanufacturing company using AI to transform mammalian protein production, and Likarda Inc., a leader in advanced drug delivery and formulation technologies, announced a strategic partnership to accelerate innovation in biologic drug development. The collaboration integrates Likarda's proprietary delivery technologies with Axio's manufacturing capabilities, creating a more efficient and scalable path to clinical manufacturing for clients across the biopharmaceutical sector.
Partnership Integration Strategy
Through this collaboration, Axio BioPharma will incorporate Likarda's proprietary delivery platforms—including its Core-Shell Spherification® (CSS®) hydrogel technology for encapsulation, stability, and controlled release—into its service offering. The integration enhances workflows for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecifics, and Fc-fusions. Conversely, Likarda will offer Axio's discovery-to-GMP manufacturing capabilities to its client base, supporting programs requiring high-quality protein production and scalable manufacturing solutions.
"This partnership brings delivery innovation directly into the development process, helping our clients move faster and make better decisions," said Justin Byers, CEO of Axio BioPharma. "By aligning earlier on both delivery and manufacturing, we reduce friction, shorten timelines, and provide integrated solutions that truly support our clients' goals."
Technology Platform Advantages
Likarda's Core-Shell Spherification® technology represents a highly customizable polymer-based delivery platform that ensures therapeutics are protected, precisely delivered, and retained at their target—whether in the tumor microenvironment, sites of organ degeneration, or other critical areas. By enabling targeted, sustained release, the platform enhances therapeutic efficacy while reducing off-target effects and improving patient outcomes.
"At Likarda, we believe that delivery should never be an afterthought—it should be part of the development strategy from day one," said Dr. Stella Vnook, CEO of Likarda Inc. "Partnering with Axio allows us to integrate our encapsulation and formulation technologies earlier in the drug development process, where they can have the greatest impact on stability, efficacy, and patient experience."
Manufacturing Innovation
Axio BioPharma combines high-throughput experimentation with proprietary machine learning to predict optimal manufacturing processes in hours rather than years. The company's AI-driven approach accelerates development timelines and reduces costs, enabling biopharma innovators to bring life-saving therapies to market faster and more efficiently. With expertise in antibody manufacturing, protein purification, and bioinformatics, Axio supports partners across research, diagnostics, and therapeutics with scalable, U.S.-based production and data-enhanced process design.
Therapeutic Applications
The platform's versatility supports a range of applications, from immune protection in cell therapy to extended-release biologics, paving the way for next-generation treatments across oncology, regenerative medicine, and other disease areas. The collaboration strengthens Axio's mission of transforming biologic manufacturing through predictive science and digital-first process development while enabling Likarda to apply its proprietary delivery technologies earlier in the development cycle.
This strategic alliance creates new efficiencies and expanded therapeutic applications for clients, establishing a smarter, more connected path from discovery to clinic. The partnership positions both companies to transform drug delivery and expand the reach of advanced therapies for patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases.
