Chiesi Group Signs Global Licensing Deal with Key2Brain to Develop Therapies for Rare Neurological Disorders
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Chiesi Group has entered a worldwide licensing agreement with Key2Brain AB to support the development of two blood-brain barrier (BBB)-crossing recombinant enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs) targeting lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). The agreement focuses on alpha-mannosidosis (aMann) and Krabbe disease (KD), both ultra-rare conditions that affect the central nervous system.
This partnership allows Chiesi Group to expand its BBB-crossing ERT pipeline, with the potential to include additional enzymes in future collaboration. The therapies will be developed under Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a division dedicated to advancing treatments for rare and ultra-rare conditions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Chiesi receives a global, royalty-bearing license to develop and commercialise two of Key2Brain’s BBB-crossing therapies. This follows earlier joint research on producing a BBB-crossing recombinant alpha-mannosidase. Key2Brain will receive an upfront payment, along with possible milestone-based and tiered royalty payments linked to product development and commercial performance. Chiesi will be responsible for funding all future research, development, and commercial activities.
The agreement also includes an option to extend the collaboration to cover Key2Brain’s full BBB-crossing platform for the development of additional therapies targeting other lysosomal storage disorders.
The collaboration combines Key2Brain’s proprietary platform technology with Chiesi’s expertise in rare diseases. It aims to address significant treatment gaps by improving the delivery of therapies to the brain, an area traditionally difficult to access due to the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier.
The ongoing aMann-K2B programme and future preclinical projects are expected to benefit from this partnership, helping accelerate the development of potential treatments for neurodegenerative aspects of LSDs and offering new possibilities to patients with limited options.
Source: globenewswire.com
