AbCellera Biologics and Bruker Corporation reached a global settlement and patent license agreement on December 18 2025 that resolves a long‑standing dispute over U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408, which covers microfluidic devices for culturing and recovering cells. Bruker will pay AbCellera $36 million upfront and will pay future royalties on sales of its Beacon Optofluidic platform worldwide for the life of the licensed patents.
The $36 million cash inflow strengthens AbCellera’s liquidity at a time when the company has been operating at a net loss of $162.9 million in 2024, up from $146.4 million in 2023, and has reported quarterly revenue of $9 million in Q3 2025. The settlement also creates a new recurring revenue stream through royalties on Bruker’s Beacon platform, a key technology that AbCellera helped develop. These developments support AbCellera’s transition from a platform‑partner model to a clinical‑stage biotech, providing the financial resources needed to advance its internal pipeline and complete a GMP clinical manufacturing facility expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
CEO Carl L.G. Hansen said the settlement “marks a major milestone in our transition to a clinical‑stage company” and highlighted the company’s first Phase I trials for ABCL635 and ABCL575, which began dosing in 2025. CFO Andrew Booth added that “the strategic choice to move toward internal development is now backed by the liquidity boost and the new royalty stream.” These comments underscore the company’s focus on building a sustainable revenue base beyond research‑fee contracts, which have been trending lower.
Bruker’s perspective on the agreement is that it removes a significant legal uncertainty that had previously tied up resources and potential revenue. The settlement follows a May 2025 federal appeals court decision that rejected Bruker’s claim that the patent was prior art, and it allows Bruker to continue accessing AbCellera’s antibody discovery technology without the threat of litigation. Bruker’s Beacon Optofluidic platform remains a core product for antibody discovery, and the royalty arrangement preserves a collaborative relationship while clarifying ownership rights.
Investors responded favorably to the settlement, citing the immediate cash infusion and the establishment of a future royalty stream as positive signals for AbCellera’s financial health. The resolution of the patent dispute also removes a potential headwind that could have delayed product development or incurred additional legal costs. While AbCellera continues to face negative margins and declining revenue growth, the settlement provides a tangible improvement in liquidity and a new source of recurring revenue that can support ongoing clinical development.
The agreement positions AbCellera to better navigate its clinical transition and to capitalize on the growing demand for antibody therapeutics. The long‑term impact will depend on the success of its clinical pipeline and the volume of Bruker’s Beacon platform sales, but the settlement marks a significant step toward a more diversified and resilient business model.
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