Tagged News
Synfini and Multispan Partner to Accelerate GPCR Drug Discovery Using AI and Automation
• Synfini, Inc. and Multispan have formed a strategic collaboration to co-discover and develop drug candidates targeting an undisclosed G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), combining AI-driven chemistry with specialized GPCR biology expertise.
• The partnership leverages Synfini's AI Cloud Foundry platform to accelerate "design-make-test-analyze" cycles in molecular discovery, with early collaboration milestones already achieved according to Multispan's CEO.
• Beyond their initial target, the companies will make their combined technology platforms commercially available as a "one-stop shop" for accelerated drug discovery, offering AI, automation, and cutting-edge biology services to external clients.
VantAI and Blueprint Medicines Expand Collaboration to Tackle "Undruggable" Targets with AI-Powered Proximity Therapeutics
• VantAI and Blueprint Medicines have expanded their strategic collaboration for the second time since 2022, incorporating additional drug programs focused on targets previously considered undruggable.
• The expanded agreement makes VantAI eligible for up to $1.67 billion in milestone payments plus royalties, highlighting significant industry validation for their AI-driven approach to induced proximity therapeutics.
• The collaboration will leverage VantAI's recently announced Neo-1 foundation model, the first AI system capable of generating molecular glues and other protein-protein interaction modifiers to address complex therapeutic challenges.
Merck and imec Partner to Develop Advanced Microphysiological Systems Platform for Drug Discovery
• Merck and imec have announced a strategic partnership to develop an advanced Microphysiological Systems (MPS) platform that aims to improve drug discovery efficiency and reduce reliance on animal testing.
• The collaboration integrates organoid biology models with semiconductor hardware, incorporating biosensing and microfluidic capabilities to provide real-time insights from individual organs to multi-organ connected systems.
• The jointly developed modular system will feature standardized interfaces compatible with Merck's portfolio of stem cells and patient-derived organoids, enabling more reliable predictions of human organ responses to drug stimuli.
Fujifilm Validates Novel Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Targeted Cancer Cell Delivery
• Fujifilm has successfully validated peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates that selectively target cancer cells, utilizing cyclic peptides from their proprietary library containing trillions of variants.
• The company developed a cyclic peptide that binds strongly to integrins overexpressed on cancer cell surfaces with a low dissociation constant of 1.6 nM, enabling higher cellular uptake compared to non-conjugated oligonucleotides.
• This breakthrough addresses delivery challenges in oligonucleotide-based therapies and will be presented at TIDES USA 2025 in San Diego, highlighting Fujifilm's expansion of global drug discovery services for peptide therapeutics.
Regeneron to Acquire 23andMe for $256 Million, Expanding Genetics-Driven Drug Discovery Capabilities
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has won the bankruptcy auction for 23andMe's assets with a $256 million bid, aiming to maintain the consumer genetics service while enhancing its drug discovery platform.
• The acquisition includes 23andMe's Personal Genome Service, Total Health, Research Services, and Biobank assets, but excludes the Lemonaid Health business.
• Regeneron has committed to prioritizing privacy and ethical use of customer data, working with a court-appointed Customer Privacy Ombudsman to ensure compliance with existing policies.
BlueSphere Bio Appoints Immunotherapy Pioneer Alan Korman as Chief Scientific Officer
• BlueSphere Bio has appointed Alan Korman, Ph.D., a veteran immunotherapy researcher with over 30 years of experience, as Chief Scientific Officer to advance its T cell-based therapy pipeline.
• Dr. Korman, who has served on BlueSphere's board since 2020, previously led groundbreaking immune checkpoint inhibitor research at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Medarex, directing the preclinical development of Yervoy and Opdivo.
• The appointment strengthens BlueSphere's clinical programs, which include BSB-1001 for leukemias and the upcoming TCX-102 program targeting mutant NPM-1 in AML, with an IND expected in Q2 2025.
Pluto Bio Secures $3.6M to Expand AI-Powered Platform for Drug Discovery
• Pluto Bio has raised $3.6 million in new funding led by Kickstart, with participation from existing investor Silverton Partners, to scale its AI-powered computational biology platform.
• The platform enables scientists to analyze complex biological datasets without coding, supporting critical drug discovery processes including target identification, mechanism of action studies, and precision medicine research.
• Funding will accelerate development of AI agents and copilots, expand integrations with R&D tools, and support commercial growth across therapeutic areas.
X-Chem and Orion Pharma Expand Collaboration to Accelerate Small Molecule Drug Discovery
• X-Chem and Orion Pharma have expanded their strategic collaboration from hit identification to candidate selection, leveraging DNA-encoded library technology and AI-driven approaches for multiple early-stage programs.
• The new Technology Access Agreement enables Orion to utilize X-Chem's integrated discovery capabilities, including DEL screening, AI-driven hit triage, and medicinal chemistry support to advance small molecule discovery.
• This partnership combines X-Chem's ArtemisAI platform with computational and medicinal chemistry expertise to help partners make informed decisions earlier in the discovery process, reducing risk and improving outcomes.
Sapient Launches DynamiQ: Next-Generation Multi-Omics Platform Set to Transform Drug Discovery and Development
• Sapient has launched DynamiQ Insights Engine, an advanced multi-omics and real-world data platform that integrates thousands of protein, metabolite, lipid, and cytokine measures with matched genomic and clinical data.
• The platform contains data from over 56,000 samples collected across multiple timepoints from diverse individuals, making it one of the most deeply phenotyped longitudinal datasets available for biomarker discovery and drug development.
• DynamiQ's ability to track molecular changes over time alongside clinical outcomes enables researchers to better understand disease subtypes, predict treatment responses, and identify patients most likely to benefit from specific therapies.