Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO) and Partex NV announced a strategic collaboration on March 17, 2025, that will harness artificial intelligence to transform their approach to drug discovery and development. The partnership will utilize Partex's proprietary AI-based technology platform to identify and evaluate promising biopharmaceutical compounds for potential acquisition or licensing by Fortress.
The collaboration comes at a strategic time for Fortress Biotech, which currently has seven marketed prescription pharmaceutical products and more than 20 programs in development across various therapeutic areas including oncology, dermatology, and rare diseases.
Partex's AI platform will deliver comprehensive analyses including target identification, indication expansion, and molecular profiling. The technology is designed to provide diverse recommendations on alternative targets or indications and evaluate compounds across multiple therapeutic areas.
Enhancing Drug Discovery Through AI Integration
Dr. Frank Grams, Chief Commercial Officer at Partex, emphasized the complementary strengths of the partnership: "Fortress' expertise in identifying promising biopharmaceutical assets and advancing them through clinical development to their full potential, coupled with Partex's advanced AI-driven platform, will enable a highly efficient and data-rich approach to identifying, evaluating, and potentially repositioning promising bio-pharmaceutical assets."
The AI-powered approach is expected to significantly reduce the time and resources typically required in traditional drug discovery and development processes, potentially bringing innovative therapeutics to patients faster.
Strategic Alignment with Fortress Biotech's Growth Plans
Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, highlighted how this collaboration fits into the company's broader strategy: "In addition to the advancement of our robust late-stage pipeline of compelling product candidates at Fortress along with our partner companies and subsidiaries, plus the launch of two recently approved medicines and a third with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date in the third quarter of this year, we are also focused on business development opportunities and expanding our portfolio."
Dr. Rosenwald further explained that the collaboration will allow Fortress to "expeditiously identify and evaluate assets using their AI platform in conjunction with our already-established large network of Key Opinion Leaders in various therapeutic areas."
Accelerating Asset Evaluation and Acquisition
The Fortress business model focuses on acquiring and advancing assets to enhance long-term value for shareholders through product revenue, equity holdings, and dividend and royalty revenue. Company leadership believes that integrating AI technology will allow them to scale more efficiently and cost-effectively.
The collaboration is expected to particularly benefit the search and evaluation process for in-licensing differentiated assets, with both companies committed to utilizing AI to its fullest potential.
About the Companies
Partex is positioning itself as a pioneering AI-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to revolutionizing drug discovery and development. The company's proprietary platform employs advanced techniques to identify new drug candidates, predict therapeutic applications, and accelerate the in and out-licensing process. Partex aims to become the largest AI-powered Drug Assets Manager addressing inefficiencies in the life sciences industry.
Fortress Biotech has established itself as an innovative biopharmaceutical company with a diverse portfolio being commercialized and developed across multiple therapeutic areas. The company has formed strategic partnerships with leading academic research institutions and biopharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, City of Hope, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Sentynl.
Industry Implications
This partnership represents a growing trend in the pharmaceutical industry where traditional drug development companies are increasingly turning to AI-powered solutions to overcome the inherent challenges of drug discovery and development, including high costs, long timelines, and high failure rates.
By combining Fortress Biotech's established industry expertise and clinical development capabilities with Partex's cutting-edge AI technology, the collaboration aims to create a more efficient pathway from drug candidate identification to market approval, potentially benefiting patients through faster access to novel therapeutics.
