Canadian AI drug discovery company AbCellera has entered into a multi-year, multi-target collaboration with American biotechnology company Moderna Therapeutics to discover and develop novel antibodies across various indications. The terms and financial details of the collaboration have not been disclosed.

The partnership will leverage AbCellera’s AI-based antibody discovery platform and Moderna’s expertise in ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapies to investigate natural immune responses and develop messenger RNA (mRNA)-encoded antibodies for up to six targets selected by Moderna. 

As per the agreement, AbCellera will receive research payments along with other milestone payments throughout the partnership period. It will also be eligible for royalties on net sales of the products. Moderna will possess the rights to develop and commercialize the antibodies resulting from the partnership. 

AbCellera recently partnered with two US-based biotechnology companies, EQRx and Tachyon Therapeutics, to jointly discover and develop novel antibodies. Last year, the company partnered with Eli Lilly to develop therapies for Covid-19.