RQ Bio announced that it has completed an oversubscribed $115 million Series A financing round. The financing was led by Frazier Life Sciences, with participation from new investors EQT Life Sciences, Forbion, Monograph, and Wellington Management. Founding investor LifeArc Ventures also participated, along with shareholders Oxford Science Enterprises and the University of Oxford.
RQ Bio is a private biotechnology company developing long-acting antibody therapeutics for the prevention of influenza in high-risk and immunocompromised populations.
The proceeds will support clinical development of RQB01, the company’s lead program. RQB01 is currently in IND-enabling studies and is designed to provide seasonal influenza protection through a single administration.
RQ Bio said RQB01 is designed to deliver potent and broad protection against influenza through a differentiated dual mechanism of action targeting conserved epitopes that are resilient to seasonal variation. The company believes the program’s broad strain coverage, potent neutralizing activity, and extended duration of action could support a new approach to influenza prevention for vulnerable patient populations.
The company also plans to use the funding to advance its proprietary antibody discovery approach toward a pipeline of assets for respiratory viral disease prophylaxis.
As part of the Series A financing, Joe Cabral, Partner at Frazier Life Sciences, joined RQ Bio’s Board of Directors.
RQ Bio also announced the appointment of Christian S. Schade as Executive Chairman. Schade most recently served as President and CEO of Halda Therapeutics, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $3.05 billion in December 2025.
Schade brings leadership and transaction experience from CEO and board roles, along with nearly 20 years in corporate finance and capital markets at global investment banks. As Executive Chairman, he will work with RQ Bio’s management team and Board of Directors on corporate strategy and the company’s continued growth.
RQ Bio was founded in 2021 and is based in the United Kingdom. The company is developing long-acting monoclonal antibodies designed to provide immediate, powerful, and long-lasting protection against severe viral disease in immunocompromised and high-risk individuals.
KEY QUOTES:
“Influenza remains a serious and persistent threat for patients whose immune systems cannot rely on vaccination alone. Our vision is to develop a preventative therapy capable of delivering reliable protection for an entire flu season with a single administration. This financing will support clinical development of RQB01 as well as advance our proprietary antibody discovery approach towards a pipeline of assets for prophylaxis of respiratory viral diseases.”
Mike Westby, Chief Executive Officer of RQ Bio
“RQ Bio has a strong team with extensive experience in infectious disease and what we believe is a highly innovative approach to influenza prevention. We believe RQB01 possesses several differentiated attributes that will translate to efficacious, season-long prevention of flu in an attractive product format. We are excited to partner with the Company as it works towards advancing RQB01 into the clinic and through multiple important milestones.”
Joe Cabral, Partner at Frazier Life Sciences
“RQ was co-founded by an exceptional group of UK scientists and LifeArc Ventures several years ago. The RQ team have worked rapidly to progress their research in influenza prevention and with the funding announced today will be able to progress their lead programme into clinical development next year. The oversubscribed Series A is a testament to the scientific excellence and focused drive of the RQ team and is a great example of first class British science being backed for success on the global stage.”
Clare Terlouw, Managing Partner at LifeArc Ventures
