Chiesi Group Enters into Agreement with Key2Brain for Rare Disease Therapies
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Chiesi Group has entered a global licensing agreement with Swedish biotech firm Key2Brain AB to develop enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs) capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.
The collaboration focuses on advancing treatments for rare lysosomal storage disorders, including alpha-mannosidosis and Krabbe disease, both of which affect the central nervous system and currently have limited or no therapeutic options.
The agreement covers two recombinant enzyme therapies and includes a framework for potentially adding more candidates in the future. This will allow Chiesi to strengthen its pipeline of blood-brain barrier-penetrating treatments and expand its rare disease portfolio. These developments will be led by Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, the company’s specialist division dedicated to addressing rare and ultra-rare medical conditions.
As part of the deal, Key2Brain will provide Chiesi with a global royalty-free licence to develop and commercialise the two initial therapies. Chiesi will also take on the full financial responsibility for research, development, and global commercialisation. In return, Key2Brain is eligible for an upfront payment, development and sales-based milestone payments, and incremental royalties on future sales.
The collaboration builds on a prior partnership focused on developing a recombinant alpha-mannosidase with the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The expanded agreement includes the option to extend access to Key2Brain’s broader technology platform for the development of additional therapies targeting neurological symptoms associated with lysosomal storage diseases.
This strategic partnership aims to enhance treatment delivery to the brain, improving drug distribution and effectiveness in conditions where conventional therapies struggle to reach the central nervous system. It also supports Key2Brain’s ambition to establish its platform as a leading technology for brain-targeted therapeutics.
Through this alliance, both companies aim to accelerate the development of innovative therapies for patients affected by rare neurodegenerative disorders, addressing significant unmet medical needs in this space.
Source: globenewswire.com
