Novel Molecular Shuttle Could Deliver Targeted, Diverse Therapies to the Brain

Caltech News reports that researchers at Caltech have engineered a small‑molecule shuttle, dubbed BrainCAB, that latches onto the carbonic anhydrase four receptor on brain blood vessels to ferry therapeutic cargo across the blood‑brain barrier. By modifying the glaucoma drug brinzolamide, the team created a modular carrier that successfully delivered the cancer‑fighting antibody atezolizumab into the brains of rodents and non‑human primates. The approach, which the scientists say can be adapted to antibodies, RNA medicines and other agents, may avoid immune reactions that plague larger protein‑based shuttles. The technology has been patented and licensed to the Caltech spin‑out Receptive Bio, which is now moving the platform toward human clinical studies.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton