AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company renowned for its development of a COVID-19 vaccine, is embarking on an exciting new venture.
Teaming up with Absci, a United States-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) biologics firm, they intend to revolutionize cancer treatment through the creation of innovative antibodies.
As of December 3, a report from the Financial Times unveils AstraZeneca’s substantial commitment to this partnership, with investments totaling up to a staggering $247 million.
This substantial sum encompasses research and development expenses, milestone payments, and an initial upfront fee for Absci.
Their collective goal is to craft a cutting-edge generative AI model, specifically geared towards generating novel antibody therapeutics for cancer.
The report, however, remains discreet regarding the specific types of cancer that will be targeted.
Absci’s claims on their website shed light on their impressive AI capabilities, asserting their ability to screen “billions of cells” on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, they boast the capability to progress from antibodies to wet “lab-validated candidates” in an astonishingly brief six-week timeframe.
Currently, Absci is actively involved in 17 distinct projects. AstraZeneca’s Senior Vice-President, Puja Sapra, emphasizes the invaluable role of AI in advancing their biologics discovery process.
Sapra elucidates that AI not only accelerates the pace of discovery but also diversifies the range of biologics they can uncover.
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Absci’s CEO, Sean McClain, has publicly confirmed the partnership, highlighting AstraZeneca’s pivotal role in amplifying the impact of their AI initiatives, according to a report by Reuters.
While Cointelegraph reached out to Absci for additional insights, a response from the firm is yet to be received.
The collaboration between AstraZeneca and Absci underscores the increasing momentum of AI within the healthcare sector.
AI’s potential to expedite groundbreaking research and enhance data analysis accuracy has not gone unnoticed.
In a recent development, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority introduced an AI pilot program designed to combat multidrug-resistant organisms or “superbugs.”
This AI system evaluates clinical data to determine the necessity of prescribing antibiotics, ultimately addressing the overuse of antibiotics that has contributed to the rise of these resistant superbugs in the region.
In conclusion, the strategic alliance between AstraZeneca and Absci is poised to harness the power of AI in the fight against cancer.
With substantial investments and cutting-edge technology at their disposal, the prospects for innovative antibody therapeutics appear promising.
This collaboration exemplifies the growing influence of AI in revolutionizing healthcare research and treatment methodologies.
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