RQ Bio raises $115m for long-acting flu antibody
London’s RQ Bio, a private biotech developing long-acting antibody therapeutics to prevent flu, has raised $115 million (£85.5 million/€101 million) in its Series A financing.
Why it matters: RQ Bio’s lead programme, RQB01, currently in IND-enabling studies, could establish a new pillar for influenza prophylaxis in vulnerable patient populations.
Zoom in: Financing was led by Frazier Life Sciences with participation from new investors EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Monograph, Wellington Management and founding investor LifeArc Ventures.
- Founding investor LifeArc Ventures is a research charity that grew from the technology transfer arm of the UK’s Medical Research Council. It became financially independent in 2019, after selling part of its royalty from Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the blockbuster cancer drug that it helped to humanise in the mid-2000s. One of its major “translational challenges” is chronic respiratory infection.
How it works: A long-acting antibody, RQB01 is designed to deliver potent and broad protection against influenza through a differentiated dual mechanism of action targeting conserved epitopes resilient to seasonal variation.
- RQ Bio says the therapy aims to offer a combination of broad strain coverage, potent neutralising activity and extended duration of action.
The context: Prophylactic treatments provide an important safety net at times when vaccines are in short supply. They can also prevent the disease from spreading through vulnerable patient populations, such as those in care homes and hospitals. This also reduces the risk of severe complications in vulnerable patients, helping to reduce the pressure on healthcare systems during the busy winter months when flu is most prevalent.
What they’re saying: “Influenza remains a serious and persistent threat for patients whose immune systems cannot rely on vaccination alone,” said Mike Westby, Chief Executive Officer of RQ Bio. “Our vision is to develop a preventative therapy capable of delivering reliable protection for an entire flu season with a single administration.”
Yes, but: The project is still in its early stages and there’s a long way to go before it’s ready to hit the market.
One more thing: RQ Bio is also strengthening its board and bringing in Christian S. Schade as Executive Chairman. Schade served as CEO of Halda Therapeutics, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $3.05 billion in December 2025.
