Drug Delivery Platforms: Novel BBB-penetrating Systems, Ocular Eye-drop Systems, and Tumor Tissue-targeted Intracellular Approaches

Daiichi Sankyo is is seeking opportunities focused on novel drug delivery platforms. 

1. Drug delivery technologies for CNS drugs

• Opportunities enabling systemic delivery of CNS‑targeted drugs (e.g., oligonucleotides) across the blood‑brain barrier for psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases are of interest, provided a clearly defined mechanism of BBB penetration is demonstrated
• Basic research through to preclinical research is within scope. In vivo distribution data, cell-type-specific drug distribution data (e.g., neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia), and an in vitro cell assay system to quantitatively evaluate BBB penetration of the delivery system are all desirable
• Opportunities related to well defined pathways including TfR, CD98, or IGF1R are out of scope. Additionally, non‑selective delivery methods (e.g., ultrasound, nanoparticles, liposomes), approaches with unresolved scalability and COG (cost of goods) challenges (such as engineered nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles), and nose‑to‑brain delivery strategies are out of scope

2. Eye‑drop delivery system for small molecules, peptides, and antibodies to retinal and choroidal tissue in retinal diseases

• Versatile delivery systems not restricted to specific compounds, with retinal or choroidal exposure confirmed by in vivo studies are of interest (data from rabbits or pigs preferred)
• Basic research through to preclinical research is within scope. Desirable data include efficacy in animal models of retinal diseases, stability of the eye‑drop solution, and toxicity assessments for the cornea or other anterior segment tissues

3. Technologies capable of selective tumor tissue-targeted delivery

• Technologies must demonstrate enhanced accumulation in tumor tissue (comprising tumor cells, fibroblasts, stromal and immune cells) with reduced liver and kidney uptake, enable intracellular delivery of oligonucleotides or proteins, and be supported by robust, well‑established manufacturing processes
• Technologies capable of selectively delivering to tumor-specific environments (e.g. pH, hypoxia, etc.) are of high interest
• Research ranging from basic studies (with supporting experimental data) through Phase II is within scope
• Out of scope are approaches limited to organ‑specific targeting, delivery methods such as viruses and nanoparticles, and technologies that rely solely on the Enhanced Permeability and Retention effect

Submission Information and Opportunity for Collaboration

Submission of one-page, 200–300-word briefs is encouraged, along with any optional supplementary information e.g. relevant publications. In submitting to this campaign, you confirm that your submission contains only non-confidential information. Daiichi Sankyo is open to a range of collaboration opportunities, with the most appropriate outcome being decided on a case-by-case basis. Example outcomes include licensing assets, project/PhD funding, MTA and research collaborations.