BioNTech is partnering with a 3D printing company to work on better delivering its RNA-based treatments.
The Covid-19 vaccine maker is paying $10 million upfront to Triastek, a company based in Nanjing, China, to collaborate on oral RNA drugs using 3D printing technology. If all milestones in the deal are reached, BioNTech will be on the hook for more than $1.2 billion.
BioNTech and Triastek will primarily focus on making oral RNA drugs that can get “across gastrointestinal mucosa, minimizing degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, and delivering RNA therapeutics to the portion of the gastrointestinal tract where absorption will potentially be the greatest,” according to a Tuesday press release.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, BioNTech has attempted to broaden its reach beyond vaccines and infectious disease. The company has invested heavily in oncology and antibody-drug conjugates, as well as other technologies like artificial intelligence.
3D printing hasn’t had much breakthrough into the biopharma industry yet, however. Relatively few companies are working on such technology or have signed similar collaboration deals. Johnson & Johnson did partner with Welsh startup Midatech, according to a 2022 announcement, but no financials were disclosed at the time.
Triastek has raised more than $102 million since its founding in 2015, according to PitchBook data. It last raised money in September 2023, pulling together $20.4 million in what it called a “pre-C” financing round. Investors included Guoxin Investment, Goldmine and Morningside Venture Capital.