Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Novartis Pharmaceuticals have unveiled a strategic partnership. According to the agreement, Novartis has secured exclusive option rights to Vertex's Brain Delivery Module (BDM) platform. This innovative platform aims to overcome the hurdle of drugs traversing the blood-brain barrier, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of drug delivery to the brain. Should Novartis decide to exercise its option, it will acquire exclusive global rights to the platform, while Vertex will maintain the authority to develop specific projects and stands to receive up to $175 million in upfront and near-term milestones. Since its inception in 2017, Vertex has been dedicated to pioneering therapies for age-related conditions, with several of its projects, including RIPK1 small molecule inhibitors and drugs targeting axon protection in neurodegenerative diseases, advancing into clinical trials.