Abcam signs exclusive license agreement with Roche

  • The product portfolio of Spring Bioscience Corporation to be licensed to Abcam for research use only (RUO) applications
  • The portfolio includes 243 recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies

Cambridge, UK, 22 January 2018: Abcam plc (“Abcam”), a global leader in the supply of life science research tools, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive license agreement with Roche. Under the terms of the agreement Abcam will obtain the exclusive rights to the product portfolio of Spring Bioscience Corporation (“Spring”) in the research use only (RUO) field of use, comprising a total of approximately 760 unique products (the “Spring Portfolio”). Roche, which acquired Spring in 2007, will retain the antibody development capabilities and rights pertaining to the Spring Portfolio for internal research, companion diagnostic and IVD uses.

The core portfolio consists of 243 recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies, branded Spring Proprietary Clones (SP Clones), which have been optimised for immunohistochemistry (IHC). In addition to the SP Clones, the agreement covers approximately 500 additional products, predominantly other monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. All products will be sold under the Abcam brand, inclusive of SP branding, and are expected to be available through Abcam.com from 21 February 2018.

Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Alan Hirzel, CEO, of Abcam said:“This agreement represents an exciting step in the ongoing collaborative and long-term relationship between Abcam and Roche. By incorporating the Spring Bioscience antibodies into our portfolio, we will be able to better assist our customers, providing them with more products for their most important targets, faster. Abcam is excited to partner with Spring Bioscience, commonly recognised as a leading manufacturer of IHC antibodies, furthering Abcam’s mission to provide customers with the highest quality recombinant antibodies for their research.”

For further information, please contact:

Abcam
T: +44 (0) 1223 696 000
Alan Hirzel, Chief Executive Officer
Gavin Wood, Chief Financial Officer
James Staveley, Head of Investor Relations

About Abcam

As an innovator in reagents and tools, Abcam’s purpose is to serve life science researchers globally to achieve their mission, faster. Providing the research and clinical communities with tools and scientific support, the Company offers highly validated biological binders and assays to address important targets in critical biological pathways.Already a pioneer in data sharing and ecommerce in the life sciences, Abcam’s ambition is to be the most influential company in life sciences by helping advance global understanding of biology and causes of disease, which, in turn, will drive new treatments and improved health. Two-thirds of the world’s 750,000 life science researchers use Abcam’s affinity binders, reagents, biomarkers and assays and the Company’s products are mentioned in over 20,000 of the 56,000 peer-reviewed papers published each year in the life sciences. By actively listening to and collaborating with researchers, the Company continuously advances its portfolio to address their needs. A transparent programme of customer reviews and datasheets, combined with an industry-leading validation initiative, gives researchers increased confidence in their results. Abcam’s eleven locations are in the world’s leading life science research hubs, enabling local services and multi-language support. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, the Company sells to more than 130 countries. Abcam was admitted to AIM in 2005 (AIM: ABC).

To find out more, go to https://www.abcam.com and https://www.abcamplc.com

About Spring Bioscience

Founded in 2001 by scientists with a primary focus on immunohistochemistry (IHC), Spring Bioscience Corporation (Spring) serves as an antibody centre of excellence, for developing and manufacturing rabbit monoclonal antibodies designed for use in IHC. Spring, which was acquired by Roche in 2007, has developed a proprietary antibody menu of highly-sensitive Spring Proprietary Clones (“SP Clones”) that yield specificity and consistency for use in research.

Forward looking statementsThis announcement, including any information included or incorporated by reference in this announcement, may contain forward-looking statements (including words such as “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “anticipate” and words of similar meaning) which are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Abcam Group. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements and should not be treated as guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Abcam Group, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Abcam Group does not assume any obligation to, and does not intend to, revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as required pursuant to applicable law.