AbCellera and Vertex Pharmaceuticals struck a collaboration to discover and develop multispecific T-cell engagers for autoimmune diseases and other conditions. Vertex will fund R&D, with AbCellera leading discovery and early development, and the deal includes $28 million in total upfront payments plus milestone and royalty upside. Under the agreement, Vertex gains rights to develop and commercialize products generated through the collaboration, with AbCellera eligible to perform cell line development, process development, and clinical manufacturing through Phase 1 by mutual agreement. The pact follows another Vertex-linked AbCellera transaction reported earlier this year, indicating continued emphasis on TCE modality expansion. For platform developers, the structure reinforces a model where large pharma uses integrated discovery capabilities and pays early for technical throughput—while reserving later commercial rights.