Overview

• The nanobody, engineered from llama antibodies, specifically activates NMDA-type glutamate receptors involved in neural signaling.
• Peripheral injections of the molecule have demonstrated the ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and reach brain receptors in preclinical studies.
• In two mouse models of schizophrenia, a single dose restored cognitive performance with benefits lasting more than one week.
• After detailed peer review, the findings were published in Nature in July and have propelled the project into safety and bioavailability evaluation.
• The Institute of Functional Genomics is seeking industry partnerships to scale production and explore the therapy’s potential against other neurological disorders.