Novartis is paying Sironax $125 million to gain control of a drug-delivery platform designed to carry large molecules across the blood-brain barrier, according to Fierce Biotech, BioPharma Dive, and MedCity News. The platform is intended to transport a range of drug modalities into the central nervous system, addressing a key obstacle for neuroscience treatments.
BioPharma Dive reports that the deal gives Novartis global rights to the technologyanding that Sironax will use the proceeds to advance three candidates it calls 'best-in-class' potential. Fierce Biotech frames the payment as Novartis taking up an option on the platform, while MedCity News describes it as an acquisition; otherwise the sources agree on the $125 million price and the platform's purpose.
The deal comes as Novartis weathers several pipeline setbacks, including recent trial failures for neuroscience drug candidates, notes MedCity News. With this platform, Novartis gains a way to get drugs past the protective barrier that often blocks them from reaching targets in the brain.