Antibody discovery specialist AbCellera Biologics Inc (Nasdaq:ABCL) announced on Wednesday that it has expanded its existing collaboration with pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) to discover therapeutic antibodies for immunology, cardiovascular disease and neuroscience.

The expanded agreement builds on a successful partnership established in 2020, which included eight programmes and an exclusive licence to AbCellera's COVID-19 antibody programme.

Lilly has the right to develop and commercialise antibodies resulting from the collaboration. AbCellera will receive upfront and research payments, as well as potential milestone payments and royalties.