Lila Biologics, an AI/ML-driven protein therapeutics biotech company, announced a global licensing and multi-target research collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel radioligand therapies (RLTs) for imaging and treatment of solid tumors. The Seattle-based company simultaneously launched its two protein therapeutic platforms designed to combat cancer and non-oncology diseases.
AI-Powered Protein Design Platforms
Lila's targeted radiotherapy (TRT)/oncology platform for solid tumors and long-acting injectables (LAI) platform for non-oncology conditions utilize the company's proprietary AI/ML-powered protein design engine. The technology aims to create the foundation for new drug discovery and breakthrough treatments for patients.
"We are on a mission to transform patient care by harnessing machine learning-powered protein design and advanced technologies to deliver life-changing therapies to patients," said Jake Kraft, CEO and co-founder of Lila Biologics. "Lila's core technology goes beyond ML-enabled design of high-affinity binders, and we've fine-tuned our engine to deliver precision targeted proteins with optimized drug-like properties that have the potential to unlock a new generation of treatments that dramatically improve patients' quality of life and extend survival time."
Scientific Foundation and Leadership
Lila spun out of Nobel Laureate David Baker's lab at the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design and was co-founded by Anindya Roy (CSO) and Jake Kraft. The founding team brings over two decades of protein design and engineering, pharmacokinetics, and translational science expertise. Their work contributed to the breakthrough technology of AI/ML-powered design of drug-like proteins that forms the foundation of the company's proprietary platforms.
The company's proprietary LILADD™ "design-to-development candidate" framework rapidly discovers and optimizes the functionality, manufacturability, and developability of protein-based biologics with first- or best-in-class potential. The platforms can optimize transformative mono- and multi-specific protein therapeutics to address unmet patient needs.
"It is truly rewarding to foster the scientific research and mentor the next entrepreneurs that will change the world," said David Baker, 2024 Nobel laureate in chemistry, professor of biochemistry, and director of the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design. "With a world-class team and holistic approach to ML-driven protein design in place, Lila Biologics is uniquely suited to advance a new class of tumor-targeted radiotherapies and LAI medicines toward the clinic."
Collaboration Structure with Lilly
Under the collaboration agreement, Lila's TRT platform will be utilized to generate novel tumor-targeting radiopharmaceuticals. The partnership aims to achieve the discovery, development, and commercialization of new radioligand therapies. Lila will design precision-targeted proteins for radioligand therapy and undertake program discovery through development candidate selection, while Lilly will focus on IND-enabling studies, global clinical development, and commercialization.
Importantly, Lila will retain full asset rights to its current proprietary RLT and LAI pipelines, separate from the tumor-targeted radiotherapies developed in collaboration with Lilly.
Industry Recognition and Future Outlook
"Lila is pioneering a new drug modality and the next generation of biologics with their unique ability to leverage AI and machine learning to design targeted proteins that have drug-like properties built in," said Sheila Gujrathi, MD, Chairwoman of the Board at Lila, and distinguished biotech entrepreneur and leader. "The impressive progress the team has made in developing robust TRT and LAI platforms in just two years, coupled with their collaboration with Lilly, shows great promise for the future of developing meaningful medicines that will have a positive impact on cancer treatments and beyond."
Founded in late 2023, Lila Biologics is headquartered in the South Lake Union area of Seattle, Washington. The company's mission centers on transforming patient care by harnessing AI/ML-powered generative protein design and advanced technologies to deliver life-changing therapies to those in need.
