BioArctic and Mesenkia Therapeutics have signed a research collaboration agreement to develop a brain-penetrant antibody-based approach for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of brain cancer, the companies announced August 19, 2026.¹ The collaboration combines BioArctic's proprietary BrainTransporter technology with an antibody developed using Mesenkia's KITAIbodies platform, targeting herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a protein found on the surface of certain glioblastoma tumor cells, including tumor stem cells.
Key facts
- Companies: BioArctic; Mesenkia Therapeutics
- Agreement type: Research collaboration (preclinical)
- Target: Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM); TNF receptor superfamily
- Technology: BrainTransporter (BioArctic) + KITAIbodies (Mesenkia)
- Key mechanism data: BrainTransporter showed up to 70-fold antibody brain exposure increase (preclinical)
- Target rationale: HVEM linked to aggressive glioblastoma subtypes, worse prognosis
- Next steps: Generate drug candidate; preclinical validation studies
- BioArctic flagship product: Lecanemab (Leqembi; with Eisai)
- Geography: Sweden (BioArctic headquarters)
"Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis for those affected,” said Gunilla Osswald, PhD, CEO of BioArctic, in a company press release.¹ “By combining our BrainTransporter technology with Mesenkia’s innovative antibody approach, we aim to target key disease-driving mechanisms to develop new ways to treat this devastating disease.”
Why target HVEM in glioblastoma?
HVEM is a protein in the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily found on the surface of certain glioblastoma tumor cells, including tumor stem cells thought to contribute to tumor recurrence and treatment resistance.¹ Independent research has found HVEM to be overexpressed in aggressive, mesenchymal, and IDH-wild-type glioblastoma subtypes and associated with worse patient prognosis, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target.²
How does BrainTransporter address the drug-delivery challenge?
Effective delivery of large molecules such as antibodies to the brain remains a major barrier in treating brain tumors. BioArctic's BrainTransporter technology uses active transferrin receptor-mediated transport to move antibodies across the blood-brain barrier. In preclinical models presented in 2024, the platform demonstrated up to a 70-fold increase in antibody brain exposure without negative effects on hematological safety parameters.³ The technology is already applied to several of BioArctic's in-house neurodegenerative disease programs, and this collaboration marks its first application in oncology.¹
What will the companies do under the agreement?
Under the agreement, BioArctic will be responsible for generating a novel drug candidate by combining BrainTransporter with Mesenkia's antibody. The companies then plan to conduct preclinical studies to validate the concept, with next steps to be decided based on those results.
“The need for new treatments is substantial, particularly given the challenge of delivering medicines to tumor cells throughout the brain,” said Moa Fransson, CEO of Mesenkia, in the release.¹ “By combining Mesenkia’s antibody expertise with BioArctic’s BrainTransporter technology, we can address one of the disease’s key barriers in a new way."
How does this fit into each company's broader work?
Mesenkia is a preclinical company founded on science from Uppsala University and the University of Tokyo, with a lead program targeting glioblastoma and a KITAIbodies platform designed to enable future therapeutics across multiple indications and modalities.¹ BioArctic is best known for inventing lecanemab (Leqembi), developed with partner Eisai, which was the first drug proven to slow disease progression and reduce cognitive impairment in early Alzheimer disease. BioArctic's broader pipeline also includes antibodies against Parkinson disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.¹ This collaboration represents BioArctic's first application of BrainTransporter outside neurodegenerative disease.¹
References
- BioArctic. BioArctic and Mesenkia enter oncology research collaboration. Press release. Published August 19, 2026. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.bioarctic.com/en/bioarctic-and-mesenkia-enter-oncology-research-collaboration/
- Han MZ, Wang S, Zhao WB, et al. Immune checkpoint molecule herpes virus entry mediator is overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in human glioblastoma. EBioMedicine. 2019;43:159-170. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.04.002
- BioArctic. BrainTransporter dramatically improves antibody delivery to the brain. Press release. Published November 6, 2024. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.bioarctic.com/en/braintransporter-dramatically-improves-antibody-delivery-to-the-brain/
