Novartis Pays $30M Upfront to Leqembi Creator BioArctic for Access to Blood-Brain Barrier Technology

Novartis and Swedish biotech BioArctic signed a major collaboration in August 2025, focused on BioArctic's BrainTransporter technology designed to enable biological drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier, enhancing drug delivery for neurodegenerative diseases1245.

BioArctic will receive $30 million upfront from Novartis, with potential milestone payments reaching up to $772 million and tiered mid-single-digit royalties on future product sales124.

The collaboration aims to combine BioArctic’s platform with a Novartis antibody program targeting an undisclosed factor in neurodegeneration, with Novartis taking on full development and commercialization of potential resulting therapies25.

BioArctic previously partnered with Eisai and Biogen on the Alzheimer's drug Leqembi, underscoring the platform’s credentials and potential for broader neurodegenerative applications24.

The BrainTransporter platform uses TfR-targeting technology and reportedly can yield up to 70-fold higher brain exposure for drugs compared with traditional approaches4.

The deal signals growing industry emphasis on technologies that can overcome the blood-brain barrier as global costs and unmet needs in neurodegenerative disease continue to escalate14.

Sources:

1. https://www.ainvest.com/news/bioarctic-braintransporter-platform-high-potential-catalyst-neurodegeneration-innovation-shareholder-2508/

2. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novartis-pens-30m-upfront-bioarctic-pact-pair-seek-out-neurodegeneration-meds

4. https://www.ainvest.com/news/bioarctic-braintransporter-platform-game-changer-neurodegeneration-drug-delivery-high-conviction-buy-opportunity-2508/

5. https://www.thepharmaletter.com/biotechnology/bioarctic-inks-license-option-collaboration-with-novartis