Our Life Sciences team has advised Nanexa AB publ (Nanexa) on a licence and option agreement with Moderna Inc. (Moderna), for the development of PharmaShell ®-based products to advance the delivery of Moderna's injectable therapies.

The deal sees Nanexa license its PharmaShell ® drug delivery platform to Moderna, a specialist in the use of mRNA technology, for the development of up to five compounds. Under the terms of the agreement, Nanexa will receive an upfront payment of US$3 million, with potential entitlement to up to US$500 million in development and commercial milestone payments, as well as a tiered single-digit royalty on product sales.

Leader of Life Sciences (UK) Patrick Duxbury led the deal, working with Senior Associate Felicity Wade-Palmer. They worked closely with Nanexa's Chief Executive Officer, David Westberg, and Director of Business Development, Otto Skolling.

Patrick Duxbury said: "This latest agreement builds on the success to date of Nanexa's PharmaShell® platform and will support the development of improved products for Moderna. The field of mRNA medicine is contributing to advances in a range of medicines and we're working with a number of clients to help them bring new products to market through collaborations and partnerships. Having supported Nanexa on previous matters we were able to work seamlessly with their in-house team on this deal and draw on our sector experience to reach a commercial position that worked for all sides."

Nanexa is a Swedish-headquartered drug development company, which specialises in developing injectable drug products using its proprietary PharmaShell® drug delivery technology. Founded in 2007 and based in Uppsala, Sweden, Nanexa focuses on long-acting injectables and collaborates with a number of major pharmaceuticals through partnerships and licensing agreements.

Gowling WLG's Life Sciences team combines technical understanding with extensive legal expertise to address the unique challenges companies face throughout their lifecycle. Many of the team have scientific backgrounds or have worked in-house in the industry and so draw on first-hand sector experience to support clients on a full range of legal issues – including patent disputes, litigation, IP portfolio management, joint ventures, licensing, collaborations, M&A, competition and regulatory matters, as well as sector-specific commercial agreements and real estate. Recognised for its "deep expertise" and "solution-oriented, proactive approach" in Chambers UK, the team is consistently ranked among the top in the sector.