By Fineline Cube 
Swiss‑listed pharmaceutical giant Roche (SWX: ROG, OTCMKTS: RHHBY) confirmed a strategic alliance with platform biotech Manifold Bio on November 2025. The collaboration will harness Manifold’s tissue‑targeting shuttle technology and AI‑driven in‑vivo drug‑discovery engine to design next‑generation blood‑brain barrier (BBB) shuttles for a portfolio of Roche’s neurological and neurodegenerative payloads.
Key Deal Highlights
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Up‑front payment | USD 55 million |
| Potential milestone value | Up to USD 2 billion |
| Manifold’s role | Early discovery and lead in vitro AI screening |
| Roche’s role | Preclinical, clinical development, and clinical testing of shuttles combined with Roche payloads |
| Outside license rights | Manifold may use the developed shuttles for non‑Roche indications |
How the Technology Works
Manifold Bio has engineered an AI‑based platform that evaluates candidate molecules in vivo to pinpoint actionable therapeutic targets. Their mDesign AI‑driven discovery engine will identify BBB shuttles that are then integrated with Roche’s therapeutic payloads—such as trontinemab for Alzheimer’s disease—to accelerate translational progress.
Roche’s Existing BBB Platform
Roche has invested decades in developing BBB shuttles under the Brainshuttle program. Clinical trials are underway with therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and the most advanced candidate, trontinemab. The partnership will expand Roche’s shuttle portfolio and potentially broaden CNS drug accessibility on a global scale.
Investment Implications
The $55 M upfront and $2 billion milestone cap could elevate the market positioning of both Roche and Manifold. Should the shuttles prove clinically effective, the partnership may unlock new therapeutic corridors across the central nervous system, impacting a broad array of neurodegenerative diseases.-Fineline Info & Tech