Biogen Idec agrees research collaboration with Adimab

Biogen Idec has agreed an expanded collaboration with life science company Adimab, centring on the discovery of antibody-based therapeutics.

The alliance will see Adimab license and transfer its proprietary antibody discovery platform to Biogen Idec for the discovery and optimisation of all antibody formats, including bispecific antibodies.

Biogen Idec has also secured an option to receive continued improvements to the Adimab platform, including access to new antibody libraries, while Adimab will receive an upfront payment and future milestone-based fees.

It is hoped that this alliance will support the future development of therapies for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.

Werner Meier, vice-president of biologics drug discovery at Biogen Idec, said: "We believe Adimab's platform will help us to accelerate our drug discovery efforts as we search for the next generation of antibodies to treat neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases."

Last month, Biogen Idec announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2013, during which it achieved a 21 percent year-on-year increase in revenues.