AbCellera (NASDAQ: ABCL) inks Jazz cancer antibody pact with $56M upfront, big milestones
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
AbCellera Biologics Inc. entered a preclinical research collaboration, option and license agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to discover and develop next-generation T-cell engaging multispecific antibodies for gastrointestinal cancers and other solid tumors. The collaboration includes $56 million in upfront payments to AbCellera for two initial programs, with a commitment to start a third program within 12 months. AbCellera will receive an additional $28 million upon initiation of the third program and is eligible for up to $792 million per program in option fees and development, regulatory and commercial sales milestone payments, plus tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digits to low double-digits.
Positive
- High-value Jazz collaboration: AbCellera secures $56 million in upfront payments, $28 million tied to a third program, and eligibility for up to $792 million per program in milestones plus tiered royalties.
Negative
- None.
Insights
High-value oncology collaboration brings substantial upfronts, milestones and royalties to AbCellera.
AbCellera and Jazz Pharmaceuticals signed a preclinical collaboration, option and license agreement around T-cell engaging multispecific antibodies for GI cancers and solid tumors. AbCellera contributes its T-cell engager discovery platform and early research, while Jazz gains exclusive, worldwide development and commercialization rights upon exercising program-specific options.
Financially, AbCellera receives $56 million in upfront payments for two initial programs, plus $28 million when a third program starts. For each program where Jazz exercises its option, AbCellera may earn up to $792 million in option fees and development, regulatory, and commercial sales milestones, alongside tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digits to low double-digits.
The structure creates multiple potential value streams: near-term research funding, sizable success-based milestones, and recurring royalty revenue if products reach market. Actual outcomes depend on successful discovery, progression into clinical development, and eventual commercial performance of any approved TCE multispecific antibodies for GI cancers and other solid tumors.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 8.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Upfront payments: $56 million
Third program payment: $28 million
Per-program milestones: Up to $792 million per program
+3 more
6 metrics
Upfront payments
$56 million
Total upfront payments to AbCellera for first two research programs
Third program payment
$28 million
Due to AbCellera upon initiation of the third discovery program
Per-program milestones
Up to $792 million per program
Option fees plus development, regulatory and commercial sales milestones
Royalty range
Mid-single to low double-digit %
Tiered royalties on net sales of collaboration products
Initial research programs
Two programs
AbCellera performs discovery and early-stage research for two initial programs
Additional program commitment
Third program within 12 months
Commitment to start a third discovery program under the agreement
Key Terms
T-cell engaging (TCE) multispecific antibodies, option and license agreement, tiered royalties, investigational new drug-enabling studies, +1 more
5 terms
T-cell engaging (TCE) multispecific antibodies medical
"agreement to discover and develop next-generation T-cell engaging (TCE) multispecific antibodies"
option and license agreement financial
"preclinical research collaboration, option and license agreement to discover and develop"
tiered royalties financial
"tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digits to low double-digits"
Tiered royalties are a payment structure where the percentage of earnings paid as royalties changes based on different levels of sales or production. For example, a company might pay a smaller percentage on initial sales and a higher percentage as sales increase beyond certain points. This system encourages higher sales by adjusting payments, making it important for investors to understand how revenue sharing may vary as a product or project grows.
investigational new drug-enabling studies medical
"initiate up to two additional programs, and to have AbCellera conduct certain activities for investigational new drug-enabling studies"
Investigational new drug-enabling studies are the laboratory, animal and safety tests a drug candidate must pass before regulators will allow human trials; think of them as engineering stress tests and safety inspections needed to get a building permit. They matter to investors because successful, well-documented studies reduce regulatory and clinical risk, clarify development timelines and costs, and can materially increase a program’s value, while failures can stop progress entirely.
clinical manufacturing technical
"fully integrated capability, from discovery to clinical manufacturing, for developing multispecific TCEs"
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________
FORM 8-K
__________________________________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 17, 2026
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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Item 8.01 Other Events
On June 17, 2026, AbCellera Biologics Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing a preclinical research collaboration, option and license agreement to discover and develop next-generation T-cell engaging (TCE) multispecific antibodies. The collaboration will leverage AbCellera’s antibody discovery engine to deliver optimized development candidates for multiple gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and other solid tumors. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release issued by AbCellera Biologics Inc. on June 17, 2026. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded as Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: June 17, 2026 | ABCELLERA BIOLOGICS INC. | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Carl L. G. Hansen | |||||||
| Carl L. G. Hansen, Ph.D. | ||||||||
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
150 W 4th Ave Vancouver, BC V5Y 1G6 T 1. 604.559.9005 abcellera.com NEWS RELEASE Jazz Pharmaceuticals and AbCellera Announce Collaboration to Discover Next-Generation T-cell Engaging Multispeci�c Antibodies 2026-06-17 The collaboration includes $56 million in upfront payments to AbCellera and up to $792 million in potential option fees and milestone payments for any program Jazz exercises its option to develop Jazz has the exclusive option to develop and commercialize therapeutic antibodies resulting from the collaboration DUBLIN & VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) and AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) today announced a preclinical research collaboration, option and license agreement to discover and develop next-generation T-cell engaging (TCE) multispeci�c antibodies. The collaboration will leverage AbCellera’s antibody discovery engine to deliver optimized development candidates for multiple gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and other solid tumors. “This research collaboration with AbCellera directly aligns with Jazz’s rare disease strategy, expanding our focus on GI cancers and building on our existing expertise in oncology,” said Josh Allen, Ph.D., chief scienti�c o�cer, oncology, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to collaborating with AbCellera to progress potential best-in- class TCE multispeci�c antibodies for GI cancers and other solid tumors into clinical development and to develop meaningful innovation for patients.” 1
AbCellera's T-cell engager platform is a fully integrated capability, from discovery to clinical manufacturing, for developing multispeci�c TCEs for di�cult-to-treat cancers. The platform includes novel and proprietary panels of CD3-binding antibodies, costimulatory targeting arms, multispeci�c protein engineering technology, and a suite of high-throughput functional assays. “Building on years of experience in TCEs, we are pleased to partner with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to leverage AbCellera’s differentiated TCE platform to bring forward novel cancer treatments for GI cancers and other solid tumors,” said Carl Hansen, Ph.D., founder and CEO of AbCellera. “TCEs drive highly targeted immune activation, which has the potential to signi�cantly advance outcomes relative to existing treatments in these cancers.” Transaction Terms Under the terms of the agreement, AbCellera will perform discovery and early-stage research activities for two initial programs with a commitment to start a third discovery program within 12 months. Jazz is granted an option in connection with each research program and, following exercise of its option and payment of an option fee, will have the exclusive, worldwide right to develop and commercialize each program. AbCellera will receive $56 million in total upfront payments for the �rst two research programs plus an additional $28 million due upon initiation of the third program. Should Jazz exercise its option for development, AbCellera is eligible to receive up to $792 million per program in option fees and development, regulatory, and commercial sales milestone payments along with tiered royalties on net sales ranging from mid-single digits to low double-digits. In addition, Jazz and AbCellera may mutually agree to initiate up to two additional programs, and to have AbCellera conduct certain activities for investigational new drug-enabling studies and manufacture clinical supply for any program under the collaboration. About Jazz Pharmaceuticals Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with rare disease — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of medicines, including leading therapies addressing epilepsies, cancers and sleep disorders. Our patient-focused and science- driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide. Please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com for more information. About AbCellera Biologics Inc. AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing �rst- in-class antibody-based medicines in the areas of endocrinology, women’s health, immunology, oncology, and more. For more information, please visit www.abcellera.com. Jazz Contacts: Media: CorporateAffairsMediaInfo@jazzpharma.com; Ireland +353 1 637 2141; U.S. +1 215 867 4948 Investor: InvestorInfo@jazzpharma.com; Ireland +353 1 634 3211; U.S. +1 650 496 2717 2
AbCellera Contacts: Media: Tiffany Chiu; media@abcellera.com, +1(236)521-6774 Investor Relations: Peter Ahn; ir@abcellera.com, +1(778)729-9116 Source: AbCellera Biologics Inc. 3
FAQ
What collaboration did AbCellera (ABCL) announce with Jazz Pharmaceuticals?
AbCellera announced a preclinical research collaboration, option and license agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to discover and develop next-generation T-cell engaging multispecific antibodies for gastrointestinal cancers and other solid tumors, leveraging AbCellera’s antibody discovery and T-cell engager platform.
How much upfront cash does AbCellera (ABCL) receive in the Jazz deal?
AbCellera will receive $56 million in total upfront payments for the first two research programs in its collaboration with Jazz, providing immediate non-dilutive funding to support discovery and early-stage research activities on next-generation T-cell engaging multispecific antibodies.
What is the milestone potential for AbCellera (ABCL) in the Jazz collaboration?
For each program where Jazz exercises its option to develop, AbCellera is eligible to receive up to $792 million in option fees and development, regulatory, and commercial sales milestone payments, creating large success-based economic potential across multiple T-cell engager programs.
Does AbCellera (ABCL) earn royalties from the Jazz Pharmaceuticals agreement?
Yes. In addition to upfront and milestone payments, AbCellera is entitled to tiered royalties on net sales of any therapeutic antibodies resulting from the collaboration, with royalty rates ranging from mid-single digits to low double-digits, if products are successfully commercialized.
How many programs are included in the AbCellera (ABCL) and Jazz collaboration?
The agreement initially covers two research programs, with a commitment to start a third discovery program within 12 months. Jazz and AbCellera may also mutually agree to initiate up to two additional programs under the same collaboration framework for T-cell engaging multispecific antibodies.
What scientific capabilities does AbCellera (ABCL) contribute in this Jazz deal?
AbCellera provides its T-cell engager platform, which integrates discovery through clinical manufacturing. It includes proprietary CD3-binding antibodies, costimulatory targeting arms, multispecific protein engineering technologies, and high-throughput functional assays aimed at developing optimized multispecific T-cell engagers for difficult-to-treat cancers.