Roche Pays $55M Upfront to Manifold Bio in $2B+ Deal for AI-Guided Next-Gen Brain Shuttles
Roche and Manifold Bio have announced a strategic research and license agreement focused on developing next-generation brain shuttles to improve delivery of therapeutics for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases3911.
Under the deal, Manifold Bio receives a $55 million upfront payment and is eligible for additional milestones and royalties that could exceed $2 billion13511.
Manifold Bio will use its proprietary AI-guided direct-to-vivo platform to design and discover novel blood-brain barrier (BBB) shuttles tailored to Roche's therapeutic payloads31.
Roche will be responsible for preclinical, clinical, and commercialization activities for selected shuttle-payload combinations135.
Manifold retains rights to use its BBB shuttle technology for other non-licensed targets and can opt to co-fund the development of one product candidate for higher royalty participation13.
The exact diseases targeted have not been disclosed, but they are described as 'massive in scope' and likely include age-related neurological conditions5.
Roche is a leading neuroscience company with over 21 programs in human trials, including work on rare illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's5.
The collaboration aims to overcome longstanding challenges in safely and efficiently transporting biologic medicines across the blood-brain barrier, potentially expanding options for treating central nervous system disorders139.
Sources:
1. https://www.biopharmatrend.com/news/roche-and-manifold-bio-will-develop-next-gen-brain-shuttles-for-neurological-diseases-1423/
3. https://www.manifold.bio/news/manifold-bio-announces-strategic-collaboration-with-roche-to-develop-multiple-next-generation-brain-shuttles-for-neurological-diseases
5. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/roche-taps-an-ai-specialist-to-craft-new-brain-drugs/804186/
9. https://www.contractpharma.com/breaking-news/roche-manifold-bio-sign-2b-deal-to-develop-next-gen-brain-shuttles/