Toronto-based QurCan Therapeutics has entered an exclusive research and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) to develop nucleic acid therapies for central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) diseases, with QurCan eligible to receive up to USD 237 million per program in milestones plus tiered royalties on global net sales.
The deal covers multiple research programs built around QurCan’s TERP (Target-Engineered Responsive Polymer) platform, a polymer-lipid nanoparticle delivery system designed to enable repeat-dosable systemic delivery of nucleic-acid payloads to extrahepatic tissues, including the CNS and PNS. QurCan has reported blood-brain barrier penetration in preclinical models, but no human data have yet been generated.
Under the agreement, QurCan — founded in 2018 as Nanology Labs — will optimize delivery candidates using the TERP platform, while Lilly takes responsibility for further research, clinical development, and commercialization of selected programs. Lilly will also make a strategic equity investment in QurCan alongside an undisclosed upfront payment; research support payments are separately enumerated in the deal structure. No specific development candidates have been named and all programs remain at the research stage.