Boehringer Ingelheim and Crystal Bioscience agree new collaboration

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced a new antibody discovery collaboration with Crystal Bioscience, focusing on multiple targets.

The alliance will see Crystal Bioscience apply its proprietary gel-encapsulated microenvironment and chicken immunisation platforms to discover antibodies to several targets specified by its new partner.

It is hoped that this will lead to the discovery of different development candidates that may result in new or better therapies. Boehringer Ingelheim will have an option to develop and commercialise any antibodies arising from this research, while Crystal Bioscience will receive funding support and milestone-based payments.

Jeffrey Hanke, senior vice-president for research and global head of biotherapeutics at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "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."

This comes after Boehringer Ingelheim announced last month that it will be allying with Circuit Therapeutics on new research to discover approaches to treating psychiatric disorders.