BenchSci, a leading AI solutions provider for preclinical research and drug discovery, has formed a strategic partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop AI-powered research tools designed to accelerate experimental design and enhance R&D productivity across the life sciences sector.
The collaboration will harness BenchSci's proprietary ASCEND™ AI technology to create new AI-enabled tools, including enterprise software solutions for scientific and analytical instruments, advanced web-based research literature search capabilities, and optimized reagent selection systems. These tools are designed to help scientists interpret large scientific datasets, design more effective experiments, review published literature, and optimize laboratory resources.
AI-Driven Experimental Integration
The partnership creates an integrated workflow where clients of both companies can use BenchSci's software to design experiments utilizing Thermo Fisher's equipment and technology. Scientists can then analyze experimental results and feed the generated data back into the system "to guide the next discovery," according to BenchSci CEO Liran Belenzon.
BenchSci's technology functions as an AI assistant for scientists, leveraging a proprietary biomedical knowledge graph and machine learning models to decode scientific evidence and uncover biological insights. The platform compiles data from multiple sources including academic publications, patent filings, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical clients' own experimental data, making this information accessible through an AI chatbot interface.
Expanding AI Capabilities in Life Sciences
"BenchSci's technology acts as an AI assistant for scientists, leveraging a proprietary biomedical knowledge graph and machine learning models to decode scientific evidence and uncover biological insights. This partnership will expand what's possible for researchers everywhere," said Belenzon. "Pairing our AI expertise with Thermo Fisher's footprint of lab equipment, consumables, and services will create new opportunities for scientists across the life sciences ecosystem."
The Toronto-based company, founded in November 2015, is also developing additional AI agents, including one that will generate its own scientific hypotheses and another in collaboration with Thermo Fisher to help formulate experimental tests. The partnership represents BenchSci's expansion into "the physical world of science," as Belenzon described it.
Industry Impact and Future Applications
Gianluca Pettiti, executive vice president and president of Life Sciences, Diagnostics and Applied at Thermo Fisher Scientific, emphasized the transformative potential of the collaboration. "AI is unlocking a new era of scientific possibility, and our partnership with BenchSci will help our customers accelerate their important work," Pettiti stated. "By combining our global scale, world-class products, and innovation leadership with BenchSci's advanced AI capabilities, we will transform our customers' capabilities to model science in silico, enabling them to move from scientific ideas to approved medicines faster and more cost-effectively."
The partnership positions both companies to leverage AI technology in addressing the complex challenges of modern drug discovery and development, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with bringing new therapeutic solutions to market.
