BRIEF—AbCellera and RQ Bio initiate infectious disease collab

Canada’s AbCellera and British firm RQ Bio will work together to identify clinical candidates for up to three infectious disease targets, under the terms of a new research collaboration agreement.

The targets, which will be selected by RQ Bio, include influenza and cytomegalovirus.

The partnership will combine RQ Bio’s expertise in infectious diseases with AbCellera’s antibody discovery engine.

RQ Bio will gain the right to develop and commercialize any therapeutic antibodies which arise from the collaboration, in return for payments for milestones related to research and development.

AbCellera will also be eligible to receive undisclosed royalties on any eventual revenues.