Tolerance Bio, a biopharmaceutical company focused on thymus-based immune tolerance therapies, has entered into a strategic research and development collaboration with ZipCode Bio to advance targeted thymus therapeutics. The partnership, announced on September 8, 2025, aims to develop precision medicines for patients with immune-mediated diseases and immune aging by combining complementary scientific expertise and breakthrough delivery technologies.
Strategic Partnership Combines Thymus Biology with RNA Delivery Innovation
The collaboration brings together Tolerance Bio's specialized knowledge in thymus biology and immunology with ZipCode Bio's proprietary SHARP (Single-component Homogeneous Amphiphilic Routed Particles) RNA delivery technology. This partnership represents a convergence of two distinct but complementary scientific approaches to address immune system dysfunction.
"This collaboration represents a convergence of two complementary scientific visions," said Francisco Leon, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tolerance Bio. "By combining our approach to control thymic function with ZipCode Bio's targeted delivery technologies, we aim to unlock new therapeutic possibilities for patients impacted by immune aging and dysregulation."
ZipCode Bio, co-founded by Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Drew Weissman, brings significant expertise in RNA therapeutics to the partnership. Dr. Weissman, who pioneered mRNA technology and received the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, emphasized the importance of precision delivery in advancing RNA therapeutics.
"Precision delivery is the next frontier in RNA therapeutics," commented Dr. Weissman. "Each advance in nucleic acid therapeutics has been built on decades of careful science. By partnering with Tolerance Bio, we have the opportunity to extend this work into thymus biology, an area with profound implications for immune health."
Focus on Thymus-Targeted Therapeutic Development
The collaboration will initially concentrate on preclinical development of thymus-targeting therapeutics specifically designed to address immune aging and autoimmunity. The thymus, described as the master regulator of immune tolerance, plays a crucial role in maintaining immune system balance and function throughout life.
Tolerance Bio, launched in 2024 by former executives from Provention Bio and Semma, is building a multi-modality therapeutic platform designed to modify immune tolerance through thymus manipulation. The company's approach focuses on preserving, restoring, and manipulating thymic function to address various immune-mediated conditions.
Under the collaboration agreement, both companies will jointly contribute scientific resources and expertise, with clearly defined roles for each partner. ZipCode Bio will lead the development of thymus-targeting SHARP delivery systems, while Tolerance Bio will advance the translation of these therapeutics into relevant disease models.
Advanced RNA Delivery Technology Platform
ZipCode Bio's SHARP technology represents a next-generation approach to RNA medicine delivery, offering potential advantages over traditional lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The proprietary platform is designed to deliver nucleic acid therapeutics efficiently to specific tissues, including the spleen and lungs, with reported benefits including streamlined manufacturing, improved efficacy, and enhanced safety profiles.
Jason Zhang, Co-Founder of ZipCode Bio, highlighted the strategic value of the partnership: "At ZipCode Bio, we're focused on making RNA medicines smarter, safer, and more targeted. Tolerance Bio brings exceptional expertise in thymus biology and a proven leadership team with a strong track record in drug development. Together, we're combining world-class RNA and delivery technology with deep biological insight to develop transformative therapies for immune health and aging."
The collaboration also leverages ZipCode Bio's integration of advanced machine learning tools, with research published in Nature Machine Intelligence, to accelerate therapeutic design and development processes.
Addressing Immune Aging and Autoimmunity
The partnership targets two significant areas of unmet medical need: immune aging and autoimmune diseases. By focusing on thymus function, the collaboration aims to address the fundamental mechanisms underlying immune system decline with age and immune dysregulation in autoimmune conditions.
The strategic alliance positions both companies to pursue their shared goal of translating foundational science into meaningful clinical impact, with the potential to develop transformative therapies that could significantly impact immune health and aging-related immune dysfunction.
