ViaNautis Bio Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Lilly

Collaboration will see Lilly leverage ViaNautis’ polyNaut® platform to develop novel products delivering genetic medicines

London, United Kingdom, 28 October 2024 –  4BIO Capital (“4BIO” or “the Group”), an international venture capital firm unlocking the treatments of the future by investing in advanced therapies and other emerging technologies, today announces that its portfolio company, ViaNautis Bio (ViaNautis), a groundbreaking biotechnology company at the forefront of delivering targeted genetic nanomedicines, has signed a collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly).

Under the terms of the agreement, ViaNautis will receive an initial upfront payment from Lilly, with the short-term potential for additional payments including research-based milestones. Further milestones and royalties will 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.

Owen Smith, Partner of 4BIO Capital, commented, “There remains a significant need for a safe and effective technology that can deliver genetic nanomedicines to difficult to reach areas of the body. ViaNautis’ proprietary polyNaut® platform is the potential response to this unmet area and this collaboration with Lilly is a validation of how its delivery technology led by an experienced team will be used to advance the development of genetic nanomedicines for the benefit of patients.”

Dr Francesca Crawford, co-founder of ViaNautis, added, "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 commercialization expertise, will accelerate the creation of novel therapies to improve patient outcomes."

Dr Adi Hoess, Chief Executive Officer of ViaNautis, said, “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.”

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.