RQ Bio secures $115m to develop influenza antibody programme

UK-based RQ Bio has closed a Series A funding round worth £85.5 million ($115 million) to develop its lead product RQB01, designed for influenza prevention in high-risk and immunocompromised patients. The financing was led by Frazier Life Sciences along with other investors including EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Monograph, and Wellington Management. RQB01 is currently in investigational new drug-enabling studies and features a dual mechanism of action targeting conserved influenza epitopes to provide broad protection against various strains. The product is designed to offer season-long protection with a single administration. The company also announced the appointment of Christian Schade as executive chairman, who previously led Halda Therapeutics before its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson for $3.05 billion.