US biotech ArmaGen Technologies has secured its first major deal by partnering with Shire for the development and commercialisation of AGT-182, an enzyme replacement therapy that is potentially able to treat both the CNS and somatic manifestations of Hunter syndrome. The drug candidate, which is expected to enter clinical development before the end of 2014, employs ArmaGen’s platform technology for non-invasively transporting therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier. Shire already markets Elaprase® (idursulphase) for Hunter syndrome and is conducting a Phase II/III trial of an intrathecal formulation of the drug.