Chiesi Secures Exclusive Licence from Aliada for Blood–Brain Barrier‑Crossing Enzyme Replacement Therapies

Chiesi inks exclusive deal with Aliada to tackle neurological aspects of lysosomal storage disorders

Chiesi has signed an exclusive worldwide licence with Aliada Therapeutics, an AbbVie subsidiary, to develop enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs) that use Aliada’s Model platform to transport large‑molecule therapeutics across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) for lysosomal storage disorders.

Under the agreement, Chiesi obtains exclusive global rights to selected enzyme cargoes adapted to Aliada’s Model approach, which harnesses endogenous brain endothelial transport mechanisms to deliver therapies into the central nervous system. Aliada is eligible to receive an upfront payment plus milestone and sales‑based royalties, while Chiesi will fund all development and commercialisation activities worldwide.

Giacomo Chiesi, Global Rare Diseases Executive Vice‑President at Chiesi, said: “This agreement underscores our continued commitment to developing potential solutions for the significant unmet needs in managing cognitive and neurological symptoms across several rare diseases. These aspects are often underserved but can profoundly affect patients and families. By advancing this research, we aim to move beyond symptomatic care and address the underlying neurological burden directly.”

Mitch Goldman, Global Rare Diseases R&D Senior Vice‑President at Chiesi, added: “We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with Aliada and advance therapies supported by encouraging preclinical data. The urgent call from patients and families to tackle neurological disease drivers guides our work every day.”

The licence builds on a research collaboration launched in August 2023 focused on multiple enzyme cargoes modified for the Model platform. Separately, in October 2025 Chiesi formed an exclusive partnership and licence with Arbor Biotechnologies for its investigational gene‑editing candidate ABO‑101 to treat primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), a rare lifelong genetic disease.

Context and next steps

The transaction expands Chiesi’s rare‑disease portfolio into therapies aimed at the neurological complications of lysosomal storage disorders — an area with clear unmet clinical needs. Chiesi will now lead global development and commercial strategy while working with Aliada to translate preclinical findings into clinical programs.

Originally reported by Pharmaceutical Technology (a GlobalData brand). The information is provided for general informational purposes and should not replace professional advice.