Horizon links up with Abcam in license and supply deal

CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom—Horizon Discovery Group plc has inked a license and supply agreement with Abcam plc, a leading supplier of research antibodies, focused on cell lines. Under this deal, Abcam will gain exclusive access to more than 1,800 human diploid and haploid cell line models from Horizon's X-MAN collection, boosting the functional validation of Abcam's current monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Horizon will also develop additional haploid cell lines to validate new antibodies from Abcam. Preferred pricing will be charged for any additional haploid cell lines that are developed, and Horizon will receive a royalty on the sale of Abcam antibodies that are marketed using validation data derived from Horizon cell lines (for 10 years from the first date of sale).

“This agreement represents significant progress for Horizon in creating new and scalable channels to market for its cell line products. Abcam’s choice of Horizon’s cell lines to support the development and quality control for their antibody catalog further validates the value that our cell lines can provide in a variety of applications. We believe that this agreement represents the first step in building a long term relationship with a true world-leader in the research antibody field,” Dr. Paul Morrill, president of Products for Horizon Discovery Group, commented in a statement.

Per the terms of the agreement, Abcam will make exclusivity payments to Horizon totaling £660,000 (approximately $1 million) over an initial three-year term, with an additional £1,275,000 (approximately $1.9 million) across years four to six if Abcam elects to extend the exclusivity period. Looking past the initial span of the agreement, the collaboration could be extended to cover the complete human proteome, which consists of more than 17,000 targets, and the potential to co-develop novel functional genomics products and services.

“We always strive to provide the highest-quality product and relevant supporting data,” Alan Hirzel, CEO of Abcam, remarked in a press release. “Our decision to validate antibodies with these Horizon knockout cell lines means we can give researchers an enhanced level of confidence that they are using the highest-specificity products. We look forward to working with Horizon to bring the benefits of this innovation to serve life-science research globally.”

Horizon shared news of another agreement the same day, announcing a research collaboration with Redx Pharma plc. The two companies will work together to progress Redx's novel pan-RAF inhibitor program for out-licensing in oncology indications, including colorectal cancer. Horizon will apply its proprietary gene-editing, cell line and drug discovery technology platforms to explore the mode of action of the pan-RAF inhibitors and support Redx as it moves the compounds toward partnering. Per the agreement, the partners will share collaboration costs proportionately to their respective research activities. Successfully partnering a program asset with a pharmaceutical company is expected to result in a material return on investment for Horizon from any upfront payment, a share of future milestones and a share of future product royalties.