Jazz Pharmaceuticals and AbCellera Announce Collaboration to Discover Next-Generation T-cell Engaging Multispecific Antibodies
Jazz Pharmaceuticals and AbCellera Announce Collaboration to Discover Next-Generation T-cell Engaging Multispecific Antibodies
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Key Terms
t-cell engagingmedical
T-cell engaging describes a type of drug or therapy designed to recruit a patient’s own T cells—immune cells that seek and destroy infected or abnormal cells—toward a specific target, such as a tumor or infected cell. Think of it as a matchmaker that brings the immune attacker to the target; for investors, this approach can mean strong therapeutic effects and high market value but also heightened safety concerns and tighter regulatory scrutiny.
multispecific antibodiesmedical
Multispecific antibodies are engineered immune proteins designed to bind two or more different targets at the same time, like a multitool that can grab several distinct screws in one go. For investors, they matter because combining multiple actions in a single drug can improve effectiveness, reduce side effects, or replace combination therapies, which can speed development, broaden potential markets, and affect a drug candidate’s commercial and regulatory prospects.
cd3-binding antibodiesmedical
CD3-binding antibodies are engineered proteins that attach to the CD3 unit on T cells, the immune system’s attack cells, and thereby trigger or redirect those T cells to recognize and kill specific diseased cells. They matter to investors because this mode of action underlies several high-value immunotherapy drugs: successful candidates can create significant revenue if safe and effective, while failures can face safety, manufacturing and regulatory hurdles that materially affect a company’s valuation.
costimulatory targeting armsmedical
Costimulatory targeting arms are the binding parts of multi‑headed immune therapies that attach to proteins on immune cells which act like on‑switches, providing a necessary second signal to fully activate those cells. For investors, these arms are important because they can make a drug more effective and selective—akin to adding a targeted amplifier to boost the right musicians in a band—potentially improving clinical outcomes, safety, and commercial prospects.
multispecific protein engineeringtechnical
Multispecific protein engineering is the design of a single engineered protein that can attach to two or more different targets at once, like turning a simple tool into a Swiss Army knife that performs several jobs. For investors it matters because these multi‑target proteins can create uniquely effective therapies or diagnostics with potential for stronger clinical benefits and market differentiation, but they also bring higher scientific, development and regulatory risk compared with simpler drugs.
t-cell engagermedical
A T-cell engager is a type of medicine designed to help the body's immune system attack cancer cells more effectively. It works by acting like a bridge that brings immune cells (T-cells) close to cancer cells, prompting a targeted attack. For investors, T-cell engagers are significant because they represent innovative treatments that could lead to new growth opportunities in the healthcare and biotech sectors.
investigational new drug-enabling studiesregulatory
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.
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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) 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.
“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 scientific officer, oncology, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to collaborating with AbCellera to progress potential best-in-class TCE multispecific antibodies for GI cancers and other solid tumors into clinical development and to develop meaningful innovation for patients.”
AbCellera's T-cell engager platform is a fully integrated capability, from discovery to clinical manufacturing, for developing multispecific TCEs for difficult-to-treat cancers. The platform includes novel and proprietary panels of CD3-binding antibodies, costimulatory targeting arms, multispecific 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 significantly 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 first 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 first-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.
