AbCellera

AbCellera is a Canadian biotechnology company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics. Its principal capability is a technology platform that analyzes individual antibody-producing cells and combines experimental biology with microfluidics, high-throughput screening, data processing, and machine-learning methods. The platform is intended to help identify useful antibodies quickly from immune-cell samples and other biological sources, then support their progression toward therapeutic development. The company primarily operates as a drug-discovery and development partner rather than as a conventional pharmaceutical business built around a broad portfolio of marketed medicines. AbCellera works with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on antibody programs, contributing discovery capabilities and, depending on the agreement, participating in downstream economics associated with successful programs. Its business therefore combines platform-based research services, collaboration income, milestone-related opportunities, and potential royalty or commercial participation. The model exposes AbCellera to the long timelines and uncertainties of clinical development, regulatory review, manufacturing, and commercialization. AbCellera’s technology originated from single-cell antibody-discovery research developed at the University of British Columbia. The company was founded in 2012 by biomedical researchers including Carl Hansen, Véronique Lecault, Kevin Heyries, Daniel Da Costa, Kathleen Lisaingo, and Oleh Petriv. It subsequently attracted research funding and commercial partnerships, including work supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a collaboration with Pfizer announced in 2017. A Series A financing round was completed in 2018, followed by a larger Series B round in 2020. The company became especially prominent through its role in the Pandemic Prevention Platform, a program associated with the Biological Technologies Office of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AbCellera worked with Eli Lilly and Company on the discovery and development of bamlanivimab, an antibody treatment that received U.S. emergency authorization in 2020. A related antibody, bebtelovimab, received emergency authorization in 2022 before its authorization was revoked later that year as circulating SARS-CoV-2 subvariants were no longer expected to respond adequately. These developments demonstrated both the speed potential of AbCellera’s discovery model and the vulnerability of antibody products to viral evolution. AbCellera became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq in 2020 under the ticker ABCL. After its listing, it continued expanding partnerships and developing internal or partnered therapeutic programs. A multiyear agreement with Moderna announced in 2021 concerned the development of mRNA-based antibody treatments against multiple diseases. The company has also pursued programs in areas including respiratory infection, autoimmune disease, dermatology, and women’s health. In 2025, Health Canada authorized Phase 1 studies for ABCL635, targeting NK3R for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and ABCL575, targeting OX40 ligand for atopic dermatitis. AbCellera also reported that ABCL688, directed at an undisclosed target associated with autoimmune disease, had entered enabling work ahead of a planned Phase 1 study. Its present identity is therefore that of a publicly listed antibody-discovery technology company with both partnership-driven and internally advanced therapeutic programs.

AbCellera was founded in Vancouver in 2012 by biomedical researchers Carl Hansen, Véronique Lecault, Kevin Heyries, Daniel Da Costa, Kathleen Lisaingo, and Oleh Petriv. The company grew from single-cell antibody-discovery research initially developed at the University of British Columbia. Its central premise was that drug developers could identify useful antibodies more efficiently by examining individual antibody-producing cells and integrating biological screening with microfluidics, automation, and computational analysis. During its early development, AbCellera pursued both platform development and externally supported research. In 2016, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided a US$645,000 grant for work on a tuberculosis test. In January 2017, AbCellera announced a collaboration with Pfizer to discover and develop antibodies against undisclosed membrane-protein targets. The company closed a reported US$10 million Series A round in 2018 and a reported US$105 million Series B round in 2020. AbCellera became particularly visible through its participation in the Pandemic Prevention Platform, a program of the Biological Technologies Office of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The initiative emphasized rapid discovery of medical countermeasures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AbCellera worked with Eli Lilly to identify and advance LY-CoV555, later called bamlanivimab. A Phase 1 trial began in 2020, and the antibody received U.S. emergency authorization in November of that year. The FDA later renewed the authorization in early 2021 but revoked it in April 2021 after emerging viral variants substantially reduced the treatment’s expected effectiveness. A second antibody, bebtelovimab, received U.S. emergency authorization in February 2022. The U.S. government announced a purchase commitment for up to 600,000 doses, reported at US$720 million. The authorization was revoked in November 2022 because newer SARS-CoV-2 subvariants were not expected to be sufficiently susceptible. These episodes established AbCellera’s role in rapidly identifying antibody candidates while also illustrating the regulatory and commercial risks of products aimed at a changing pathogen. In 2020, AbCellera became a Nasdaq-listed public company under the ticker ABCL. It continued to build a partnership network and broaden the scope of its discovery work. In 2021, the company announced a multiyear agreement with Moderna involving mRNA-based antibody treatments for multiple diseases. In 2022, the Gates Foundation awarded AbCellera a further US$1.5 million grant to identify monoclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus. Alongside partnered research, AbCellera has advanced internal or substantially controlled therapeutic programs. In 2025, Health Canada authorized Phase 1 testing of ABCL635, an NK3R-targeting antibody intended for moderate-to-severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms, and ABCL575, an OX40-ligand-targeting antibody for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The company also reported that ABCL688, aimed at an undisclosed autoimmune-disease target associated with a GPCR or ion channel, had entered IND-enabling studies, with Phase 1 testing expected in 2026. AbCellera’s history is consequently defined by the development of a high-throughput antibody-discovery platform, collaborations with major drug companies, rapid pandemic-response work, public listing, and gradual expansion into internally advanced therapeutic candidates.

1. 2025ABCL635 and ABCL575 enter Phase 1 development

   Health Canada authorizes Phase 1 trials for ABCL635 in menopausal vasomotor symptoms and ABCL575 in atopic dermatitis.

   Source
2. 2025ABCL688 enters IND-enabling work

   ABCL688 advances into studies supporting a future clinical trial for an autoimmune-disease target.

   Source
3. 2022Bebtelovimab authorization and later withdrawal

   Bebtelovimab receives U.S. emergency authorization in February, which is revoked in November as newer subvariants become resistant or insufficiently susceptible.

   Source
4. 2021Bamlanivimab authorization is revoked

   The FDA withdraws emergency authorization after reduced activity against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants changes the benefit-risk assessment.

   Source
5. 2021Moderna partnership

   AbCellera and Moderna announce a multiyear agreement involving mRNA-based antibody treatments.

   Source
6. 2020Series B financing and public listing

   AbCellera closes a reported US$105 million Series B round and becomes publicly traded on Nasdaq under ABCL.

   Source
7. 2020Bamlanivimab enters clinical testing

   A Phase 1 study begins for LY-CoV555, later known as bamlanivimab, in collaboration with Eli Lilly.

   Source
8. 2018Series A financing

   The company closes a reported US$10 million Series A financing round.

   Source
9. 2017Pfizer collaboration

   AbCellera announces a collaboration with Pfizer focused on antibody discovery against undisclosed membrane-protein targets.

   Source
10. 2016Tuberculosis research grant

    The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grants AbCellera US$645,000 for development of a tuberculosis test.

    Source
11. 2012AbCellera is founded

    AbCellera is established in Vancouver by Carl Hansen, Véronique Lecault, Kevin Heyries, Daniel Da Costa, Kathleen Lisaingo, and Oleh Petriv.

    Source

A technology-led antibody-discovery platform and development partner for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

• Antibody Discovery PlatformBiotechnology platform

  AbCellera’s core discovery system combines single-cell analysis, microfluidic experimentation, high-throughput screening, automation, and computational methods. It is used to locate and characterize antibodies from immune cells or other biological samples and to help biopharmaceutical partners select candidates for further engineering and development.

• Bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555)COVID-19 antibody therapeutic2020

  Bamlanivimab was an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody discovered and developed by AbCellera and Eli Lilly. It entered a Phase 1 study in 2020 and received U.S. emergency authorization, but the FDA revoked that authorization in 2021 after emerging variants substantially reduced its expected effectiveness.

• BebtelovimabCOVID-19 antibody therapeutic2022

  Bebtelovimab was a later SARS-CoV-2 antibody program associated with AbCellera and Eli Lilly. It received U.S. emergency authorization in 2022, accompanied by a U.S. government purchase commitment, and the authorization was withdrawn later that year because newer viral subvariants were not expected to respond adequately.

• ABCL635Clinical-stage antibody therapeutic2025

  ABCL635 is an antibody targeting NK3R and intended for moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. Health Canada authorized a Phase 1 trial in 2025, and the first patient was reported to have been dosed in August 2025.

• ABCL575Clinical-stage antibody therapeutic2025

  ABCL575 is an antibody targeting OX40 ligand and being developed for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Health Canada authorized a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2025, with first dosing reported in August of that year.

• ABCL688Preclinical antibody therapeutic2025

  ABCL688 is an antibody program directed at an undisclosed GPCR or ion-channel target associated with autoimmune disease. AbCellera reported in 2025 that the program had entered IND-enabling studies, with Phase 1 testing expected in 2026.

• 2020Pandemic Prevention Platform

  United States · Global

  AbCellera participated in the Pandemic Prevention Platform associated with DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office. The initiative sought to accelerate discovery of medical countermeasures, and the company’s single-cell antibody platform was used in work that contributed to rapid identification of COVID-19 antibody candidates.

  Outcome. Raised AbCellera’s profile in pandemic-response biotechnology and contributed to the bamlanivimab program.

  Source

• 2025Move ABCL635 and ABCL575 into Phase 1 trialsGeneration change

  AbCellera continued shifting from a platform-centered business toward advancing selected internal or partnered therapeutic candidates.

  What changed. Following Health Canada authorization, the company initiated Phase 1 development of ABCL635 for menopausal vasomotor symptoms and ABCL575 for atopic dermatitis.

  Aftermath. Both programs entered early clinical development, while their ultimate safety, efficacy, regulatory, and commercial outcomes remained uncertain.

  Source
• 2022Advance bebtelovimab for emergency COVID-19 useProduct launch

  Bebtelovimab was developed as an antibody option intended to retain activity against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants at the time.

  What changed. The antibody received U.S. emergency authorization, and the U.S. government committed to purchase up to 600,000 doses.

  Aftermath. The FDA revoked authorization in November 2022 after newer subvariants were no longer expected to be adequately susceptible.

  U.S. government purchase commitment. Up to US$720 million for up to 600,000 doses (2022)

  Source
• 2021Enter a multiyear collaboration with ModernaStrategy

  AbCellera sought to extend its partnership model beyond individual discovery programs and apply its capabilities to additional therapeutic areas and modalities.

  What changed. AbCellera and Moderna announced a multiyear agreement to develop mRNA-based antibody treatments against multiple diseases.

  Aftermath. The agreement expanded AbCellera’s disclosed strategic relationship base and connected its discovery platform with Moderna’s mRNA capabilities.

  Source
• 2020Advance bamlanivimab into clinical developmentProduct launch

  The COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need for antibody treatments and rapid clinical evaluation of promising SARS-CoV-2 candidates.

  What changed. AbCellera and Eli Lilly advanced LY-CoV555, later called bamlanivimab, into a Phase 1 study and subsequently pursued emergency authorization.

  Aftermath. Bamlanivimab received U.S. emergency authorization in 2020, but the authorization was revoked in 2021 after emerging variants reduced expected effectiveness.

  Source

• 2025Health Canada authorizes ABCL635 Phase 1 study

  Health Canada authorized a Phase 1 clinical trial of ABCL635, an NK3R-targeting antibody for moderate-to-severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2025Health Canada authorizes ABCL575 Phase 1 study

  Health Canada authorized a Phase 1 clinical trial of ABCL575, an OX40-ligand-targeting antibody for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2025ABCL688 enters IND-enabling studies

  AbCellera announced that ABCL688 had entered studies intended to support an investigational new drug filing, with a Phase 1 trial expected in 2026.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2022AbCellera receives Gates Foundation RSV antibody grant

  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded AbCellera US$1.5 million to identify monoclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus.

  Other
  Source
• 2022Bebtelovimab receives U.S. emergency authorization

  The FDA authorized bebtelovimab for emergency use, while the U.S. government committed to purchase up to 600,000 doses for a reported US$720 million.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2022FDA revokes bebtelovimab authorization

  The FDA revoked authorization after determining that bebtelovimab was not expected to remain effective against newer SARS-CoV-2 subvariants.

  RegulationRecall
  Source
• 2021Moderna and AbCellera announce multiyear antibody collaboration

  The companies announced an agreement to develop mRNA-based antibody treatments against multiple diseases.

  Other
  Source
• 2021FDA revokes bamlanivimab authorization

  The FDA revoked bamlanivimab’s emergency authorization after concluding that its benefits no longer outweighed its risks in light of reduced activity against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

  RegulationRecall
  Source
• 2020AbCellera closes Series B financing

  AbCellera completed a reported US$105 million Series B financing round.

  Other
  Source
• 2020Bamlanivimab enters Phase 1 COVID-19 study

  AbCellera and Eli Lilly began a Phase 1 study of LY-CoV555, later known as bamlanivimab, described as the first clinical study of a potential COVID-19 antibody treatment.

  Product launchProduct generation
  Source
• 2020Bamlanivimab receives U.S. emergency authorization

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization for bamlanivimab as a COVID-19 treatment.

  Product launchRegulation
  Source
• 2020AbCellera becomes publicly traded on Nasdaq

  AbCellera completed its public-market listing and began trading under the ticker ABCL.

  Other
  Source
• 2018AbCellera closes Series A financing

  The company completed a reported US$10 million Series A financing round.

  Other
  Source
• 2017AbCellera announces Pfizer antibody-discovery collaboration

  AbCellera announced a collaboration with Pfizer to discover and develop antibodies against undisclosed membrane-protein targets.

  Other
  Source
• 2016AbCellera receives Gates Foundation grant for tuberculosis test development

  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded AbCellera a US$645,000 grant to support development of a tuberculosis diagnostic test.

  Other
  Source

1. AbCellera
2. AbCellera official website
3. AbCellera investor relations