Singapore: European firms, Crystal Bioscience and Boehringer Ingelheim, have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies.

Crystal Bioscience will apply its proprietary gel encapsulated microenvironment (GEM) and chicken immunization platforms to discover antibodies to multiple targets selected by Boehringer Ingelheim, with the goal of discovering different development candidates that may result in new or better therapies. Boehringer Ingelheim will have the option to conduct the further development and commercialization of the antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement, Crystal will receive an upfront technology access fee and research funding for each program, and may receive technical success fees, option exercise fees, and other downstream payments.

"We appreciate the confidence that Boehringer Ingelheim has placed in our team and technology following on the success of our prior work together. We are very pleased to have a partner with the depth and breadth of experience of Boehringer Ingelheim in the development of therapeutic products" said Mr. Robert J. Etches, President and CEO, Crystal Bioscience.

"Crystal is an innovative addition to our biotherapeutics efforts. Crystal can deliver monoclonal antibodies generated in chicken, which offer access to new target space. We are pleased to extend our relationship with this proven partner and technology" said Mr. Jeffrey Hanke, SVP Research and Global Head Biotherapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim.