AbCellera Biologics Inc. is a Vancouver-based contract research organization (CRO) specializing in antibody discovery and development. Founded in 2012 by biomedical researchers Carl Hansen, Véronique Lecault, Kevin Heyries, Daniel Da Costa, and Oleh Petriv, the company has been at the forefront of innovative antibody research.

AbCellera's proprietary technology platform enables the rapid development of medical countermeasures, claiming to produce them within 60 days. This platform, initially developed at the University of British Columbia, has been instrumental in various collaborations, including a significant partnership with Pfizer in 2017 to discover and develop antibodies against undisclosed membrane protein targets. The company's expertise gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it played a pivotal role in the development of antibody treatments.

In June 2020, AbCellera initiated the world's first study of a potential antibody treatment against COVID-19, leading to the Emergency Use Authorization of LY-CoV555 (Bamlanivimab) by the U.S. FDA in November 2020. However, the EUA was revoked in April 2021 due to reduced efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Despite this setback, AbCellera continued its efforts in antibody research, securing a multi-year agreement with Moderna in September 2021 to develop mRNA-based antibody treatments for multiple diseases. The company's commitment to advancing antibody therapeutics is further demonstrated by a $1.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in January 2022 to identify monoclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). AbCellera's dedication to innovation and rapid response in antibody development underscores its position as a leader in the biotechnology sector.