AstraZeneca will obtain an exclusive global licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise pre-clinical Covid-19 antibodies engineered by RQ Bio
The Discovery Centre overhead view. (Credit: AstraZeneca)
AstraZeneca has entered into a licence agreement with the UK start-up RQ Biotechnology (RQ Bio), for its early-stage monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
RQ Bio is a newly-launched biotechnology firm, engaged in developing treatments and preventative antibody-based therapies to address the unmet needs of vulnerable patients.
Under the terms of the licence agreement, AstraZeneca will obtain an exclusive global licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise pre-clinical Covid-19 antibodies engineered by RQ Bio.
In addition, the company will hold a right of first refusal to take an exclusive licence in respect of any additional mAbs against SARS-CoV-2.
RQ Bio will receive initial upfront and milestone payments of $157m, along with single-digit royalty payments on the sales.
The licensing deal was supported by Oxford University Innovation (OUI), a subsidiary of the University of Oxford, and the UK medical research charity LifeArc.
AstraZeneca vaccines and immune therapies executive vice president Iskra Reic said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for immune therapies, including the use of monoclonal antibodies to protect vulnerable patients who can’t respond adequately to vaccination alone.
“Scientific innovation is rapidly accelerating, and this agreement reflects our continued commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to help prevent and treat infectious disease, including Covid-19.”
The newly licenced early-stage Covid-19 antibodies will add to the pipeline of AstraZeneca’s existing antibody therapeutics, including Evusheld (tixagevimab/cilgavimab).
Previously called AZD7442, Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting monoclonal antibodies (LAABs) tixagevimab (AZD8895) and cilgavimab (AZD1061).
The long-acting antibody combination was indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of Covid-19 in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above.
It was already approved in the US, and European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended the approval of Evusheld in the EU.
RQ Bio CEO Hugo Fry said: “Our vision is to build on our successful debut with neutralising antibody therapy for SARS-CoV-2 and develop innovative medicines to address current and evolving unmet needs in other viral infectious diseases.
“By combining our expertise and innovative excellence in core areas we have created a smarter approach to antibody generation making us uniquely positioned to deliver fast patient impact.”