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SandboxAQ Releases 5.2 Million Synthetic Molecules Dataset to Accelerate AI-Driven Drug Discovery

AIDrug Discovery
  • SandboxAQ, an AI startup spun out from Google and backed by Nvidia, has released a dataset of 5.2 million synthetic three-dimensional molecules to accelerate drug discovery processes.
  • The synthetic molecules were generated using Nvidia's chips and are designed to help scientists predict drug-protein binding interactions, a critical step in pharmaceutical development.
  • The publicly available dataset combines traditional scientific computing with AI advancements to train models that can virtually replicate lab experiments and predict molecular binding in a fraction of the time.
  • SandboxAQ plans to commercialize AI models developed with this data, aiming to provide results that rival actual laboratory experiments but through virtual simulation.

NEC and Chugai Pharmaceutical Develop AI System to Accelerate Cancer Drug Combination Discovery

AIDrug Discovery
  • NEC Corporation and Chugai Pharmaceutical have successfully tested an AI system that can predict effective cancer drug combinations, potentially reducing prediction time by approximately 50% compared to conventional methods.
  • The graph-based AI technology leverages biochemical information and clinical trial data from AACT and ChEMBL databases to quickly suggest candidate drug combinations that could enhance cancer treatment efficacy.
  • In experimental validation using approximately 400 cancer drug combinations, the system demonstrated accurate predictions with highly convincing rationales, showing potential to streamline drug discovery processes.
  • The technology addresses the time-consuming manual research traditionally required for drug combination therapy development, which involves analyzing vast amounts of publications and clinical trial data.

BioAge Labs Partners with Norwegian Biobank to Accelerate Aging-Related Drug Discovery

Drug Discovery
  • BioAge Labs announced a collaboration with Age Labs AS to analyze over 17,000 samples from Norway's HUNT Biobank, generating millions of molecular readouts to identify novel therapeutic targets for aging-related diseases.
  • The partnership will profile samples from 6,000+ participants collected over decades, focusing on those who transitioned from health to cardiometabolic disease, cognitive decline, or other chronic conditions.
  • The molecular profiling data will integrate with BioAge's existing discovery platform containing over 50 million molecular measurements collected over five decades to accelerate drug target identification.
  • BioAge's lead candidate BGE-102, an NLRP3 inhibitor for obesity, is planned for IND submission and Phase 1 trials in mid-2025.

Isomorphic Labs Appoints Dr. Ben Wolf as Chief Medical Officer, Establishes US Operations

AIDrug Discovery
  • Isomorphic Labs, the AI-first drug discovery company, has appointed Dr. Ben Wolf as Chief Medical Officer to lead translation of AI-driven discoveries into clinical medicines.
  • Dr. Wolf brings nearly 20 years of biopharmaceutical experience, including expertise in precision oncology and advancing therapeutics from discovery through regulatory approval.
  • The company has established a new US presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, following a $600 million external investment round earlier this year.
  • The appointment positions Isomorphic Labs to advance its AI drug design engine across multiple therapeutic areas and drug modalities into clinical development.

Axcelead and A2 Healthcare Form Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Drug R&D in Japan

Drug Discovery
  • Axcelead and A2 Healthcare announced a strategic partnership to establish an integrated support framework covering drug discovery, non-clinical studies, clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and manufacturing in Japan.
  • The collaboration combines Axcelead's drug discovery services and mRNA CDMO capabilities with A2 Healthcare's clinical development expertise to address drug loss and strengthen Japan's pharmaceutical R&D ecosystem.
  • The partnership will provide comprehensive support to academia, biotech ventures, and pharmaceutical companies from Japan and abroad advancing drug development in the Japanese market.
  • A2 Healthcare's J-STEP initiative and Boston office expansion complement the alliance's goal of enhancing Japan's drug discovery capabilities and facilitating international pharmaceutical market entry.

Mitsubishi Research Institute and Astellas Partner to Accelerate Japanese Drug Discovery Startups

Drug DiscoveryDrug Discovery
  • Mitsubishi Research Institute and Astellas Pharma have signed a memorandum of understanding to support Japanese drug-discovery startups in their global expansion efforts.
  • The collaboration operates under Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Medical Innovation Support Office (MEDISO), which has supported over 1,200 startup and academic ventures since 2018.
  • Participating startups will gain access to laboratory and office space at Astellas' SakuLab-Tsukuba facility, along with expert consultations and networking opportunities with Astellas researchers.
  • The initiative aims to strengthen Japan's position as a global drug discovery hub and address the gap between advanced life-sciences technologies and their practical application.

Parallel Bio Raises $21 Million Series A to Revolutionize Drug Discovery with Human Organoid Platform

AIDrug Discovery
  • Parallel Bio secured $21 million in Series A funding led by AIX Ventures to advance its human-first drug discovery platform that uses organoids and AI to replicate the human immune system.
  • The company has partnered with eight pharmaceutical companies, including three Fortune 500 firms, to test over 50 drugs and immunotherapies using its organoid-based platform.
  • Centivax completed the first preclinical study on the platform for its universal flu vaccine candidate, demonstrating broad immune responses in human organoids derived from flu-exposed patients.
  • The platform aims to address the 95% failure rate of drugs in human trials despite success in animal studies by starting with true-to-life human models from the beginning.

BullFrog AI Partners with Sygnature Discovery to Expand AI-Driven Drug Discovery Platform Access

AIDrug Discovery
  • BullFrog AI announced a strategic collaboration with UK-based CRO Sygnature Discovery to introduce its AI-driven BullFrog Data Networks™ platform to global biopharma clients.
  • The partnership is expected to generate $15-30 million in revenue for BullFrog AI through 2028 while accelerating brand recognition and user adoption.
  • BullFrog Data Networks™ supports critical drug discovery applications including target identification, mechanism-of-action studies, patient stratification, and clinical trial optimization.
  • The collaboration specifically targets small to mid-sized biopharma companies, a segment often underserved by existing bioinformatics solutions.

ImmunoPrecise's AI-Designed GLP-1 Peptides Outperform Semaglutide in Receptor Activation Studies

AIDrug Discovery
  • ImmunoPrecise Antibodies announced that its AI-designed GLP-1 receptor agonist peptides achieved comparable or superior receptor activation to Semaglutide in independent third-party in vitro studies.
  • Two lead peptide candidates outperformed or matched Semaglutide under controlled assay conditions, with sequences rationally engineered using the company's proprietary HYFT technology for improved stability and peptidase resistance.
  • The breakthrough validates IPA's LENSai platform and demonstrates that AI can generate functionally validated peptide drugs with potential for rapid expansion into adjacent therapeutic areas.
  • The company is now considering two preclinical development paths including injectable delivery studies and non-invasive delivery strategies such as transdermal patches and nucleic acid-based delivery systems.

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