Brainlab and Precision NeuroMed Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize AI-Driven Brain Therapy
In a major leap forward for neurological care, Brainlab SE (Brainlab), a global leader in digital medical technology, and Precision NeuroMed (PNM), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering precision therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the way therapies are delivered directly to the brain. The collaboration will focus on developing and commercializing an AI-enabled treatment planning platform specifically designed for convection enhanced delivery (CED)—a technique that allows precise, targeted administration of drugs into brain tissue, overcoming the formidable challenge of the blood-brain barrier.
The partnership represents a bold step toward standardizing and scaling patient-specific, reproducible treatments for some of the most complex neurological conditions, beginning with glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer. “Our goal is to establish a new standard for patient-specific, precise, and reproducible treatment, beginning with glioblastoma and expanding to unlock disease-modifying therapies across some of the most serious neurological conditions,” said Dr. Sandeep Kunwar, CEO and Co-Founder of Precision NeuroMed.
Addressing a Long-Standing Challenge in Brain Therapy
The blood-brain barrier, the body’s natural defense against harmful substances, has long posed a critical challenge for effective neurological therapies. While it protects the brain from toxins, it also prevents most systemically administered drugs from reaching therapeutic concentrations in the brain. This limitation has been a major barrier to developing effective treatments for brain diseases, including aggressive cancers like glioblastoma, as well as neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
CED represents a breakthrough solution. By delivering therapies directly into brain tissue under precise pressure-controlled flow, CED ensures that large-molecule drugs reach the target areas in therapeutic concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure and off-target effects. The technique has the potential to transform the delivery of complex biologics, gene therapies, and other next-generation treatments. However, until now, the widespread adoption of CED has been hampered by the lack of standardized, scalable planning tools that could ensure precise, reproducible results across patients and treatment centers.
Combining Expertise for AI-Driven Treatment Planning
The newly announced partnership leverages the unique strengths of both organizations. Brainlab brings decades of experience in medical imaging, surgical workflow optimization, and precision planning software. Its portfolio spans advanced imaging systems, digital surgical navigation, and AI-driven planning solutions that are used in hospitals worldwide. Precision NeuroMed contributes proprietary molecular flow simulation software and deep expertise in precision therapeutics for the CNS.
Together, the companies plan to create a cloud-based CED Treatment Planning System (CED TPS) that integrates advanced imaging, simulation modeling, and AI-driven optimization to personalize drug distribution for each patient. The platform will allow neurosurgical teams to design, simulate, and review delivery plans with unprecedented precision, potentially increasing treatment efficacy and reducing variability between procedures. By automating complex planning processes, the system aims to make CED more reproducible, scalable, and accessible beyond specialized academic centers.
“This partnership brings together our complementary strengths: the Brainlab experience in building best-in-class software, including in the field of CED, and the Precision NeuroMed focus on enabling highly targeted therapies for the brain,” said Rainer Birkenbach, CEO of Brainlab SE. “Together we’re working to provide clinicians with planning tools that aim to improve planning confidence and precision in treating some of the most complex neurological diseases.”
A Joint Commitment to Innovation and Patient Care
As part of the strategic collaboration, Brainlab has been granted an equity interest in Precision NeuroMed, underscoring both companies’ commitment to the long-term development and adoption of this technology. The joint development and commercialization agreement will see the two companies working closely to refine and validate the CED TPS, with the ultimate goal of enabling broader clinical adoption.
The initial focus of the platform will be on supporting PNM’s lead investigational therapy, PNM-201, a candidate treatment for recurrent glioblastoma. Glioblastoma remains one of the most aggressive and challenging brain cancers, with limited treatment options and poor long-term survival rates. By providing neurosurgeons with AI-driven tools to optimize delivery plans, the CED TPS aims to maximize therapeutic benefit while minimizing risks and side effects.
Beyond glioblastoma, the companies envision a future where the platform can be adapted to deliver a wide range of CNS therapies, including gene therapies and biologics for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and ALS. By combining AI with precise molecular modeling, the system has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for neurological disorders that currently lack effective, targeted therapies.
Transforming Neurological Care Through Technology
The Brainlab-PNM collaboration reflects a broader trend in medicine: the convergence of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and digital health to create more precise, personalized care. By integrating AI-driven simulation and planning tools directly into the surgical workflow, the partnership seeks to remove variability, enhance treatment reproducibility, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
“For decades, advanced therapies for brain diseases have been constrained by the challenge of delivering drugs with precision to the specific diseased regions of the brain,” said Dr. Kunwar. “By partnering with Brainlab, we are combining biologic innovation with AI-driven treatment planning to transform how therapies are delivered. Our goal is to establish a new standard for patient-specific, precise, and reproducible treatment, beginning with glioblastoma and expanding to unlock disease-modifying therapies across some of the most serious neurological conditions.”
The collaboration also highlights the critical role of cross-industry partnerships in accelerating innovation. By combining Brainlab’s expertise in software development and medical imaging with PNM’s cutting-edge work in CNS therapeutics, the companies aim to create a platform that not only supports current therapies but also paves the way for next-generation treatments.
