AbCellera, Vertex Partner on T-Cell Engagers

AbCellera has partnered with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize multispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) for autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

Under the terms of the agreement, AbCellera will leverage its proprietary TCE platform to lead discovery and early development activities. Vertex will fund all research and development costs and will have the right to develop and commercialize therapeutic multispecific antibodies resulting from the collaboration.

AbCellera will receive $28 million in total upfront payments and is eligible to receive preclinical, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on net sales. In addition, AbCellera and Vertex may mutually agree to have AbCellera perform cell line development, process development, and clinical manufacturing through Phase 1 for any program under the collaboration.

“We are excited to collaborate with Vertex, a recognized leader in innovation, to accelerate the development of new, transformative therapies,” said Carl Hansen, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of AbCellera. “We continue to see our TCE platform as a source for advancing impactful programs into the clinic, both internally and through strategic partnerships.”

“Vertex is committed to transforming the treatment landscape for people with serious diseases,” addfed Mark Bunnage, D.Phil., EVP and Chief Scientific Officer at Vertex. “AbCellera’s T-cell engager platform offers sophisticated capabilities for discovering and engineering multispecific antibodies and we look forward to working with AbCellera’s team to explore the potential of this technology to develop innovative therapies for patients in need.”