According to Cointelegraph: In a breakthrough move, British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, has partnered with U.S-based AI biologics firm, Absci, to develop a potential treatment for cancer. AstraZeneca, known globally for developing a COVID-19 vaccine, will invest around $247 million into the collaboration in research, development, milestone payments, and an upfront fee for Absci.
The venture aims to create a zero-shot generative AI model intended to both enhance existing antibody therapeutics and develop new ones. While the specific types of cancer involved weren't mentioned, the bold move underlines the growing application of AI in healthcare and disease treatment.
Absci uses AI to screen "billions of cells" weekly, progressing from antibodies to lab-validated candidates within six weeks. The company currently engages in 17 active projects and looks to add to this portfolio with this new partnership.
Meanwhile, for AstraZeneca, this alliance offers opportunities to boost the success and speed of its discovery process and the diversity of its biomedical discoveries. AstraZeneca's Senior Vice-President, Puja Sapra, emphasizes the pivotal role of AI in improving the company's biologics discovery process.
Absci CEO Sean McClain has affirmed the collaboration and acknowledged AstraZeneca's potential to magnify its AI work.
The partnership underscores the accelerating relevance of AI in healthcare, offering a chance to expedite innovative research and enhance data analysis accuracy. Only last month, Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority disclosed an AI pilot to tackle multidrug-resistant organisms or superbugs, underscoring the broadening application of AI in medical care.
