BrainTransporter™ – A technology to cross the blood-brain barrier
The blood brain barrier (BBB) controls the passage of substances between the bloodstream and the brain, and protects the brain from harmful substances. At the same time, it makes the delivery of drugs to the brain difficult, especially for large molecules such as antibodies and enzymes.
To enable better drug uptake into the brain, BrainTransporter uses active transport (receptor-mediated transport, RMT) across the BBB. The BrainTransporter utilizes the transferrin receptor (TfR), which is one of the body’s own delivery mechanisms.
Receptor-mediated transport across the blood brain barrier
RMT: Receptor-mediated transport
Antibodies that currently pass into the brain do so via passive transport, mainly through diffusion along with the spinal fluid. The result is that the antibodies are unevenly distributed in the brain with larger accumulations around the ventricular system, which are the cavities where the spinal fluid is located. Large parts of the brain are thus not fully exposed to the antibodies and the total amount that reaches the brain is also limited, less than 1 percent of the antibodies administered via the blood make it into the brain.
BioArctic’s BrainTransporter has in preclinical models demonstrated a dramatically improved antibody delivery to the brain. Up to 70-fold increase of amyloid-beta antibody brain exposure, with a rapid, broad and deep distribution of amyloid-beta antibodies across the brain. The results provide preclinical validation of an antibody linked to BrainTransporter, without negative effects on the blood or unwanted immunological reactions.
Image to the right: BrainTransporter Abeta mAb found inside the brain tissue and targets Aβ plaques in all relevant brain regions
The BrainTransporter technology helps deliver treatments to the brain in different ways and can be used in a number of different therapy areas, giving BioArctic many potential future partnering opportunities.
A research agreement with BrainTransporter was signed in April 2024, when BioArctic AB and Eisai Co., Ltd., entered into a research evaluation agreement.
In December 2024, BioArctic entered into a global license agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb under which Bristol Myers Squibb will become solely responsible for the development and any subsequent commercialization of BAN1503 and BAN2803 and related products worldwide. BAN2803 includes BioArctic’s BrainTransporter. The agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb is the first license agreement with BrainTransporter. It specifically concerns PyroGlu-Aβ antibody treatments.
In August 2025, BioArctic entered into an agreement with Novartis Pharma AG regarding a potential new treatment combining BioArctic’s proprietary BrainTransporter technology with an undisclosed target in neurodegenerative diseases.
BioArctic has retained all other rights for use of BrainTransporter. If you are interested in partnering opportunities, please contact our Business Development.