ViaNautis signs multi-year collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company

The multi-year collaboration will use ViaNautis’ non-immunogenic polyNaut® nanovesicles that precisely target specific tissues and cell types.

ViaNautis, based at The Howard Group’s Unity Campus in Sawston, will receive an initial upfront payment from Lilly, with the short-term potential for additional payments including research-based milestones.

Further milestones and royalties would be due should specific cargo-loaded polyNaut®-based products enter the clinic and reach commercialisation. This collaboration will leverage ViaNautis’ platform for precise delivery of genetic cargos to prioritised tissues to address significant unmet medical needs.

ViaNautis' proprietary polyNaut® nanovesicles are designed to deliver genetic materials with precise targeting of specific tissues and cell types. This technology aims to improve current genetic medicine delivery, potentially transforming treatment options for various diseases.

Dr Francesca Crawford, co-founder of ViaNautis, said: “This collaboration with Lilly is a testament to our polyNaut® platform, which is also driving a highly differentiated emerging pipeline for severe life-limiting diseases.

“Combining our scientific know-how to precisely deliver genetic nanomedicines targeting difficult-to-reach sites, with Lilly's extensive drug development and commercialisation expertise will accelerate the creation of novel therapies to improve patient outcomes."

ViaNautis CEO, Dr Adi Hoess, added: “I am very excited about our collaboration with Lilly to develop novel genetic medicines for patients in need. I want to thank Fran and the team for their hard work in getting to this key milestone and I look forward to working with Lilly to accelerate our shared vision of delivering targeted genetic medicines.”