On May 17, 2022 AstraZeneca reported that it has entered into a licence agreement with RQ Biotechnology Ltd (RQ Bio) for a portfolio of early-stage monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeted against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (Press release, AstraZeneca, MAY 17, 2022, https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2022/astrazeneca-signs-licence-agreement-with-rq-biotechnology-for-monoclonal-antibodies-against-covid-19.html [SID1234614700]).

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Under the agreement, AstraZeneca has acquired an exclusive worldwide licence to develop, manufacture and commercialise mAbs against SARS-CoV-2.

Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, Vaccines & Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for immune therapies, including the use of monoclonal antibodies to protect vulnerable patients who can’t respond adequately to vaccination alone. Scientific innovation is rapidly accelerating, and this agreement reflects our continued commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to help prevent and treat infectious disease, including COVID-19."

RQ Bio is a UK-based biotechnology company focused on developing treatments and preventative therapies based on potent broad-spectrum mAbs to address areas of unmet need in vulnerable patient populations.