Horizon to license haploid models to Abcam in deal worth up to $3m
The agreement will supply Abcam with 1,800 of Horizon’s existing human diploid and haploid ‘X-Man’ cell line models, as well as new haploid lines Horizon will develop specially. Abcam, a UK-based biotech which supplies antibodies, peptides, and equipment to the pharma industry, will use the cells to validate the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies it sells.
Horizon said the reputation of its cell lines will also benefit from the data generated by Abcam’s successful use. The models made for Abcam’s new antibodies will be available to all customers.
Horizon will receive exclusivity payments of £660,000 ($1m) for the next three years, and a further £1.28m ($1.96m) if Abcam extends the period another two years.Horizon will also receive royalties on the sale of Abcam antibodies marketed using validation data derived from Horizon cell lines for the first ten years.
The companies say they are open to extended the agreement to cover the complete human proteome – 17,000 targets – and to co-developing new functional genomics products and services.
Haploid cells
Haploid cells have a nucleus containing a single set of chromosomes, neither of which is part of a pair. Diploid cells contain two homologous copies of each chromosome.
In January this year, Horizon bought Austrian biotech Haplogen Genomics, acquiring for the first time its own haploid gene platform.
The company told us working with haploid cells is faster than normal cells with a full set of chromosomes. “When you’re doing genetic modifications there’s only one target to work with so it simplifies the genetic engineering process,” chief technology officer Eric Rhodes said. “So it makes it faster, cleaner, and more efficient.”
Horizon Discovery offers haploid cell lines for genetic analyses as a preclinical screening service and for customer-specific orders.