AbCellera to Collaborate with Biogen to Discover Therapeutic Antibodies for Neurological Conditions
AbCellera (ABCL) partners with Biogen Inc. (BIIB) to discover antibodies for brain-targeted biotherapeutics in neuroscience. The collaboration aims to address the challenge of delivering biologics across the blood-brain barrier. AbCellera will receive upfront payment, milestone payments, and potential royalties on future product sales.
The collaboration between AbCellera and Biogen represents a significant advancement in the field of neuroscience, particularly in the challenge of delivering biotherapeutics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a highly selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from foreign substances but also impedes the delivery of potentially beneficial drugs. The ability to transport therapeutics across this barrier could revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders.
From a business perspective, the partnership leverages AbCellera's proprietary technology to discover antibodies that could facilitate this delivery. This could lead to the development of new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, which currently have limited effective interventions. The upfront payment and milestone-based structure of the deal provide financial incentives for AbCellera, while the potential royalties offer a long-term revenue stream contingent on the success of the products developed.
The strategic collaboration between AbCellera and Biogen has significant financial implications. The deal structure, which includes an upfront payment followed by milestone payments and royalties, is typical of biotech partnerships and reflects the high-risk, high-reward nature of drug development. The upfront payment will likely have an immediate positive impact on AbCellera's cash flow, which is crucial for funding ongoing research and operations.
For investors, the milestone payments and royalties represent potential future income streams, but they also introduce elements of uncertainty as they are contingent upon successful research outcomes and regulatory approvals. It is essential for investors to consider the long development timelines and the high attrition rates in drug development when evaluating the potential financial impact of such collaborations.
The strategic partnership between AbCellera and Biogen is poised to tackle one of the most significant challenges in treating neurological diseases: the delivery of therapeutics to the brain. The success of this collaboration could lead to a paradigm shift in the treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders, which is an area with a substantial unmet medical need. The focus on a 'novel target' suggests that the companies may be exploring innovative approaches that could bypass or traverse the BBB more effectively than current methods.
It is important to note that any potential treatments resulting from this collaboration would still require extensive clinical testing to ensure safety and efficacy. The process from discovery to market is lengthy and fraught with potential setbacks. However, should the collaboration yield a successful product, the impact on patient care and the neuroscience field would be profound and the financial rewards for both companies could be considerable.
03/11/2024 - 09:00 AM
VANCOUVER, British Columbia --(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) have entered into a strategic collaboration to discover antibodies for a novel target that enables the delivery of biotherapeutics to the brain for indications in neuroscience.
“Delivering biologics across the blood brain barrier is one of the most important and long-standing problems in neuroscience,” said Murray McCutcheon, Ph.D., SVP, Partnering at AbCellera. “We are excited to work with Biogen on this innovative program, which has the potential to unlock multiple new approaches to treating neurological conditions.”
Under the terms of the agreement, AbCellera will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments should the research programs achieve certain research, developmental and regulatory milestones. AbCellera is also eligible to receive potential royalties on future net sales of products that result from the collaboration.
About AbCellera Biologics Inc.
AbCellera is breaking the barriers of conventional antibody drug discovery to bring better medicines to patients, sooner. AbCellera’s engine integrates expert teams, technology, and facilities with the data science and automation needed to propel antibody-based medicines from target to clinic in nearly every therapeutic area with precision and speed. AbCellera provides innovative biotechs and leading pharmaceutical companies with a competitive advantage that empowers them to move quickly, reduce cost, and tackle the toughest problems in drug development. For more information, please visit www.abcellera.com .
AbCellera Forward-looking Statements
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Inquiries
Media: Kathleen Reid; media@abcellera.com , +1(604)724-1242
bd@abcellera.com , +1(604)559-9005
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Source: AbCellera Biologics Inc.
AbCellera and Biogen Inc. have partnered to discover antibodies for brain-targeted biotherapeutics in neuroscience.
The collaboration aims to address the challenge of delivering biologics across the blood-brain barrier.
AbCellera will receive an upfront payment, milestone payments upon achieving certain research, developmental, and regulatory milestones, and potential royalties on future net sales of products resulting from the collaboration.
