biOasis Technologies, Inc. has entered an agreement with MedImmune, the biologics R&D arm of AstraZeneca, under which MedImmune will evaluate the therapeutic effect of biOasis’ next-generation Transcend brain delivery platform on its preclinical assets. The Transcend platform offers the ability to transport compounds across the blood-brain barrier and target the central nervous system more efficiently.
 
“Our working relationship with MedImmune began in November 2012. In our collaboration, we demonstrated transport of MedImmune’s antibodies into the brain using our first-generation Transcend vector,” said Dr. Reinhard Gabathuler, chief scientist at biOasis. “In addition, we introduced our second-generation Transcend vector into this collaboration and other programs we have underway, where we have observed equivalent or increased antibody transport into the brain. We feel that this next generation of Transcend will have specific advantages in transporting certain biologics into the brain.”
 
“MedImmune is pleased to be entering into this new agreement with biOasis,” said Dr. Carl Webster, associate director, Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering, MedImmune. “Our recently completed initial collaboration was very positive and led us to decide to undertake this second project to investigate the therapeutic effect and utility of biOasis’s technology.”