HZD & Abcam plc Sign License & Supply Agreement

Horizon Discovery Group plc and Abcam plc

Sign License and Supply Agreement

· Horizon to exclusively out-license existing human diploid and haploid cell line collection for use in validating the function of Abcam antibodies

· Horizon to receive exclusivity payments totaling £660,000 (c$1,000,000) across an initial three year term with a further potential £1,275,000 (c$1,950,000) across years four to six if Abcam extends the exclusive period

· Horizon to develop additional haploid cell lines on demand under a preferred pricing arrangement

· Horizon to receive a royalty on the sale of Abcam antibodies marketed using validation data derived from Horizon cell lines

Cambridge, UK, 9th September 2015: Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon" or "the Company"), the international life science company supplying research tools and services that power genomics research and the development of personalised medicines, and Abcam plc (AIM: ABC), a global leader in the supply of research antibodies, today announced the formation of a license and supply agreement between the two companies.

The agreement will initially see Abcam have exclusive access to over 1,800 human diploid and haploid cell line models from Horizon's X-MAN® collection, which will aid the functional validation of Abcam's existing monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies marketed to the global research community. Horizon will also develop additional haploid cell lines to validate new antibodies introduced by Abcam.

The data generated by Abcam will also add value to Horizon's cell line collection by providing independent evidence that the cell lines demonstrate the desired functional output of gene editing and providing time and cost savings for the company's cell line manufacturing process. The new cell lines generated for Abcam will be available to customers across all of Horizon's core products and services.

Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon will receive exclusivity payments totaling £660,000 (c$1,000,000) across an initial three year term, with a further £1,275,000 (c$1,950,000) across years four to six if Abcam extends the exclusivity period. For any additional haploid cell lines developed, preferred pricing will be charged. In addition, Horizon will receive a royalty on the sale of Abcam antibodies marketed using validation data derived from Horizon cell lines for a period of 10 years from the first date of sale.

Beyond the initial term of the agreement there is scope to extend the collaboration to cover the complete human proteome (17,000+ targets), and the potential to co-develop novel functional genomics products and services with Abcam.

Dr. Paul Morrill, President, Products, Horizon Discovery Group, commented: "This agreement represents significant progress for Horizon in creating new and scalable channels to market for its cell line products. Abcam's choice of Horizon's cell lines to support the development and quality control for their antibody catalog further validates the value that our cell lines can provide in a variety of applications. We believe that this agreement represents the first step in building a long term relationship with a true world-leader in the research antibody field."

Alan Hirzel, CEO, Abcam, said: "We always strive to provide the highest quality product and relevant supporting data. Our decision to validate antibodies with these Horizon knockout cell lines means we can give researchers an enhanced level of confidence that they are using the highest specificity products. We look forward to working with Horizon to bring the benefits of this innovation to serve life science research globally." 

ENDS

For further information from Horizon Discovery Group plc, please contact:

Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media)

Katie Odgaard

Tel: +44 (0)7787 502 947

Email: [email protected]

Consilium Strategic Communications (Financial Media and Investor Relations)

Amber Fennell / Jessica Hodgson / Matthew Neal / Laura Thornton

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5701

Email: [email protected]

Panmure Gordon & Co. (NOMAD)

Corporate Finance: Freddy Crossley / Duncan Monteith / Fabien Holler

Broking: Tom Salvesen

Tel: +44 20 7886 2500

Horizon Discovery Group plc

Dr. Darrin Disley CEO/ Richard Vellacott CFO

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 655580

Notes for Editors

About Horizon Discovery Group plc www.horizondiscovery.com/

Horizon is a revenue-generating life science group supplying research tools to organisations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalised medicines. Horizon has a diverse and international customer base of over 1,000 organisations across nearly 50 countries, including major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies as well as leading academic research centers. The Group supplies its products and services into multiple markets, estimated to total in excess of £29 billion by 2015.

Horizon's core capabilities are built around its proprietary translational genomics platform, a high-precision and flexible suite of gene editing tools able to alter almost any endogenous gene sequence of human or mammalian cell-lines. Horizon offers circa 16,500 products, almost all of which are based on the application of gene editing to generate cell lines that accurately model the disease-causing mutations found in genetically based diseases. These 'patients-in-a-test-tube' are being used by customers to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently available and future drug treatments.

In addition, Horizon provides custom cell line and in vivo model generation services for research and bioproduction applications, quantitative molecular reference standards, in vivo disease models, and contract research and custom screening services.

Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "HZD", for further information please visit: www.horizondiscovery.com.

About Abcam plc www.abcam.com

Abcam plc is a global leader in the supply of life science research tools, with a wide range of products and expert technical support, enabling scientists to analyse living cells at the molecular level and to improve the understanding of health and disease.

Abcam is committed to providing scientists with an extensive choice of reagents and tools, with the most comprehensive, honest and up-to-date datasheets and customer reviews, fast delivery and helpful customer service & technical support. The Company's catalogue evolves with scientific research trends and is growing each year to provide customers with products to meet their research needs. The range now includes primary and secondary antibodies, proteins, peptides, lysates, biochemicals, immunoassays and other kits. Abcam also supports its customers by hosting a range of global scientific events, forums and webinars, providing opportunities for scientists to get together and present their work.

Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, Abcam has nine global subsidiary offices enabling local services and multi-language support to over 100 countries. The Company was founded in 1998, and now employs over 800 people. Abcam was admitted to AIM in 2005 (AIM: ABC).