Ophidion and Neuronasal Form Strategic Partnership to Advance CNS Therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease and Metabolic Disorders
Key Insights
Ophidion (search) and Neuronasal (search) announced a strategic collaboration to co-develop multiple therapeutic candidates targeting Parkinson's disease (search) pathways as well as obesity (search) and diabetes (search) treatments.
The partnership combines Ophidion (search)'s proprietary intravenous "Trojan-horse" carrier technology with oligonucleotide and peptide delivery across the blood-brain barrier (search).
The collaboration spans from proof-of-biology through IND-enabling studies, with plans to form a joint venture for clinical development once products reach IND stage.
Ophidion (search), Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering non-invasive delivery of gene-silencing and large-molecule therapeutics to the brain, and Neuronasal (search), Inc., a clinical-stage company advancing patented nose-to-brain delivery of therapeutics, announced a strategic partnership to co-develop multiple therapeutic candidates targeting key pathways in Parkinson's disease (search) as well as the treatment of obesity (search) and diabetes (search).
Novel CNS Delivery Platform Integration
Under the agreement, Ophidion (search) will deploy its proprietary intravenous "Trojan-horse" carrier technology to deliver oligonucleotide payloads and peptide therapeutics (search) across the blood-brain barrier (search). The approach aims to improve brain exposures and clinical outcomes for multiple candidates involved in Parkinson's disease (search) pathology, as well as another candidate to treat obesity (search) and diabetes (search).
The collaboration spans the full lifecycle from proof-of-biology through IND (Investigational New Drug) enabling studies. The deal structure includes upfront and development milestone payments as well as the formation of a joint venture to advance the programs through clinical development once each product reaches the IND stage.
Multi-Target Development Strategy
Several Parkinson's-related molecular targets will be advanced in parallel, combining Ophidion (search)'s oligonucleotide/gene-silencing, protein and peptide delivery approach. Additionally, a single target to treat obesity (search) and diabetes (search) will be advanced using the same integrated delivery platform.
The programs are advancing de-risked cargos from pre-clinical proof-of-concept into proof-of-biology studies in relevant pre-clinical models prior to IND-enabling work. With the selected cargos and delivery platforms de-risked, the companies anticipate accelerated timelines and improved translational potential for Parkinson's disease (search) and obesity (search)/diabetes (search) therapies.
Leadership Perspectives
"We are excited to partner with Neuronasal (search) and advance these therapeutics with our Central Nervous System (CNS)-delivery platform," said Yacoub Habib, CEO of Ophidion (search). "Parkinson's disease (search) remains a major unmet need, and by tackling multiple targets simultaneously, we believe we can increase the probability of success and speed translation into patients. Additionally, improving the delivery of therapeutics to the brain for obesity (search) and diabetes (search) has the potential to produce better efficacy in this commercially attractive market."
Thomas I. Bradshaw, CEO of Neuronasal (search), added: "Neuronasal is excited to add Ophidion (search)'s brain delivery capability to our Parkinson's disease (search) developments; combining our expertise with Ophidion's CNS delivery platform will enhance our clinical program for disease-modifying therapies."
Company Backgrounds
Ophidion (search) is an early-stage CNS biopharmaceutical company developing non-invasive therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders. Its proprietary carrier technology is designed to deliver large molecules and oligonucleotides into the brain via intravenous administration. The company is advancing programs in Huntington's disease (search), Alzheimer's disease (search), and Parkinson's disease (search).
Neuronasal (search) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on nose-to-brain delivery of therapeutics for central nervous system disorders, including Parkinson's disease (search) and other related CNS diseases. Its intranasal technology is patent-protected and has achieved human pilot proof-of-concept for brain delivery of N-acetylcysteine. It is currently being assessed in Phase 1 clinical trials.