Worldwide distribution deal for life sciences firm

Avacta Group, which develops cancer therapies and diagnostics based on its proprietary Affimer^® and pre|CISION^™ platforms, has struck a global distribution agreement with ABCAM plc.

The deal is to sell the Wetherby-based Group’s recently developed SARS-CoV-2 research ELISA Affimer^® reagents.

Avacta has developed Affimer^® reagents which can be used in a high performance ELISA laboratory test to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

This test has high sensitivity for the spike protein of the original strain of the virus and other dominant variants such as B117 (The so-called “Kent” strain) and D614G.

ABCAM is a supplier of biological reagents and kits which are used in a wide range of fields including drug discovery, diagnostics and basic research.

Under the new non-exclusive distribution agreement, ABCAM will enable the global research community to access Avacta’s SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Affimer^® research reagents through its online catalogue.

This will allow scientists around the world to perform the ELISA test in their own laboratories and support the global fight against the pandemic.

Dr Alastair Smith, chief executive of Avacta, said: “We are delighted that we have established a global route to market for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Affimer^® reagents through ABCAM’s dedicated global commercialisation infrastructure.

“As far as we are aware, our spike protein ELISA test is the most sensitive test of its kind and, in ABCAM, we have a world-leading partner capable of maximising the commercial potential of the Affimer^® reagents by making them globally available to scientists who are researching into the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

“I look forward to further updating the market on progress across the Group in due course.”