ABL Bio announced on the 7th that it has signed a technology transfer agreement with GSK to develop new treatments for degenerative brain diseases based on the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) shuttle platform 'Grabody-B.'
The total contract value of the technology transfer is approximately KRW 4.1 trillion (GBP 2.1401 billion), with ABL Bio set to receive an upfront payment of about KRW 73.9 billion (GBP 38.5 million) and short-term milestone payments (royalties) of approximately KRW 74.1 billion (GBP 33.86 million).
Additionally, ABL Bio will have the right to receive up to about KRW 3.9623 trillion (GBP 2.063 billion) in development, approval, and commercialization milestones (royalties) for multiple programs, along with tiered royalties based on net sales.
As part of this agreement, ABL Bio will transfer technology and know-how related to Grabody-B, while GSK will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
This agreement aims to develop multiple new target-based therapeutics using various modalities, including oligonucleotides or polynucleotides such as siRNA (small interfering RNA), ASO (Antisense Oligonucleotide), and antibodies.
The BBB acts as a protective barrier that blocks harmful substances and factors from entering the brain but has been considered a significant obstacle in developing treatments for degenerative brain diseases. ABL Bio's Grabody-B was developed to overcome the limitations of existing drugs that have difficulty crossing the BBB.
It enables drugs to effectively cross the BBB and be delivered to the brain through the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R).
Lee Sang-hoon, CEO of ABL Bio, said, "This agreement will further solidify ABL Bio's position in the degenerative brain disease treatment market through the commercialization of Grabody-B and provide a great opportunity to expand the applicable modalities of Grabody-B." He added, "As the number of patients with degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, continues to increase, this partnership will accelerate the development of innovative treatments. We hope it will bring new hope to patients worldwide."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
