Professor Bart de Strooper and to-BBB to collaborate on brain delivery of anti-Alzheimer’s antibodies
to-BBB and the academic research group of Professor Bart de Strooper (VIB and K.U.Leuven) will work together on the development of a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
The laboratory of Professor Bart de Strooper has discovered a novel therapeutic antibody directed at a key target involved in Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), however, is limiting the delivery of many complex compounds, including antibodies, to their disease target in the brain.
to-BBB has established a brain delivery platform to safely enhance uptake of different classes of drugs to the brain by formulating these drugs into proprietary glutathione coated stealth liposomes. Proof of concept for this so called G-Technology™ has been established in several disease models. The research group of professor de Strooper and to-BBB will now join forces to develop brain-targeted liposomes for antibody delivery.
Professor Bart de Strooper and his research group have been playing a prominent role in the investigations on processes that underlie Alzheimer’s disease. In their search for a potential cure for this neurodegenerative disease, the collaboration with to-BBB will provide them with a possibility to improve brain delivery of possible treatment options.
Pieter Gaillard, CSO of to-BBB, indicates the importance of this collaboration: “We are looking forward to combine to-BBB’s brain delivery technology with Bart de Strooper’s capabilities in the area of Alzheimer’s disease to be able to ultimately improve the lives of patients with this largely untreated neurodegenerative disease.”
VIB and to-BBB will share investments and rights at the early research stage and have flexibility in leadership through further clinical development. A top-10 pharma company has obtained first rights on the result of this collaboration, based on the previous research on this Alzheimer target by the group of Professor de Strooper.
Other news from the department science
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
Topic world Antibodies
Antibodies are specialized molecules of our immune system that can specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens or foreign substances. Antibody research in biotech and pharma has recognized this natural defense potential and is working intensively to make it therapeutically useful. From monoclonal antibodies used against cancer or autoimmune diseases to antibody-drug conjugates that specifically transport drugs to disease cells - the possibilities are enormous
