BioArctic AB and Mesenkia Therapeutics have entered a research collaboration to explore an antibody-based approach for glioblastoma, using BioArctic’s BrainTransporter technology to help address the challenge of delivering large molecules to brain tumors.
Glioblastoma is an aggressive, treatment-resistant form of brain cancer, and the companies said treatment options remain limited. A central challenge is reaching tumor cells throughout the brain with large-molecule therapies.
The collaboration pairs BioArctic’s proprietary BrainTransporter platform with an antibody developed through Mesenkia’s KITAIbodies platform. The antibody targets HVEM, a protein found on the surface of certain glioblastoma tumor cells, including tumor stem cells.
Tumor stem cells are thought to contribute to tumor recurrence and resistance to treatment. By targeting HVEM-expressing cells, the companies aim to explore whether the combined approach can create a new therapeutic option for patients with glioblastoma.
Under the agreement, BioArctic will generate a drug candidate combining its brain-delivery technology with Mesenkia’s antibody. The companies then plan to conduct preclinical studies to validate the approach and determine subsequent development steps based on those results.
For BioArctic, the project marks an expansion of its BrainTransporter pipeline into oncology. The company said the collaboration also supports the potential use of the platform beyond neurodegenerative diseases, an area in which BioArctic has built experience in developing and delivering medicines to the brain.
“We are excited to broaden our research and take a first step into oncology through this collaboration,” BioArctic Chief Executive Gunilla Osswald said. She said glioblastoma remains among the most difficult cancers to treat and that the companies intend to target disease-driving mechanisms through their combined technologies.
Mesenkia Chief Executive Moa Fransson said the agreement creates an opportunity to investigate a new treatment strategy for glioblastoma. She cited the need to deliver medicines to tumor cells across the brain as a key obstacle in the disease.
The collaboration remains at the research stage. Neither company disclosed financial terms, development timelines, planned clinical trials or the likelihood that the proposed candidate will advance beyond preclinical testing.
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