EQT Foundation backs 11 projects to bypass the blood-brain barrier

The chosen research institutions span the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, and Canada, reflecting a diverse push to solve a central bottleneck in medicine. Current limitations prevent large-molecule therapeutics—such as gene editing tools, RNA medicines, and antibodies—from reaching targets within the central nervous system. By funding early-stage, high-risk science, the foundation aims to bridge the gap between initial discovery and translational development.

Cilia Holmes Indahl, Head of EQT Foundation, noted that the core challenge lies in physical access. The supported projects utilize a wide array of methods, including the use of extracellular vesicles, glycans, and lipid nanoparticles to ferry cargo into the brain. Beyond direct funding, the program connects researchers with industry experts and commercialization guidance, aiming to move these technologies from the laboratory toward clinical application for conditions like ALS, pediatric brain tumors, and rare genetic disorders.