Lonza Acquires Rights to Nona Biosciences' TfR1 (Transferrin Receptor 1) Blood-Brain Barrier Technology and Expands Strategic Collaboration for CNS Delivery Platforms (July 2 Announcement, Sustained Rollout Through July 10): TfR1-Binding Single-Domain VHH Antibodies Deliver as IgG Fusion or Conjugated via Lonza's GlycoConnect Bioconjugation; Preclinical Data Show Improved Brain Delivery Versus Leading Industry Benchmark in a Relevant Transgenic Model
Lonza announced Thursday July 2, 2026 that it has acquired rights to Nona Biosciences' transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) blood-brain barrier (BBB) technology and expanded its strategic collaboration with Nona to develop next-generation BBB delivery platforms. The technology uses single-domain VHH antibodies that bind TfR1, a receptor expressed on the cells lining the blood-brain barrier, to shuttle attached payloads into the brain. The platform can deploy as an immunoglobulin G (IgG) fusion or through conjugation with therapeutic molecules using Lonza's GlycoConnect bioconjugation technology. Preclinical data show that Nona's TfR1-binding VHH improved brain delivery versus a leading industry benchmark in a relevant transgenic model. Financial terms were not disclosed. Under the agreement, Lonza will immediately make the technology available to CNS drug developers while continuing to collaborate with Nona on future BBB platforms. The deal fits Lonza's CDMO-facing strategy of combining GS Gene Expression System capabilities with GlycoConnect chemistry to give customers new tools for CNS therapeutic candidates — including peptide-and-conjugate CNS programs that have historically been limited by BBB penetration.