Page 171 - CW E-Magazine (24-9-2024)

Special Report

Fig. 2: Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Development
and interpret complex datasets gene- has utilized CytoReason’s biological Increased use of Data Analytics in
rated from various sources, including models in its research to boost the un- Pre-clinical research
genomics, proteomics, and electronic derstanding of the immune system for The preclinical CRO market is wit-
health records. Integrating and mining the development of drugs for immune- nessing technological advancements
these datasets can provide valuable mediated and immuno-oncology diseases. that enhance efficiency and data qua-
insights for target identification, lead This additional investment will aid lity. Automation and robotics are being
optimization, and decision-making. the development of more disease employed to streamline processes,
models and the creation of high-resolu- reduce turnaround times, and improve
Some of the examples include tion models across various therapeutic accuracy. Furthermore, there is a growing
IQVIA’s AI-based NextGen smart trial areas. Sanofi also announced a multi- adoption of advanced analytical tech-
platform, used by dozens of pharma year, multi-target research collabora- niques, such as genomics, proteomics,
clients; Evotec’s $15-mn investment tion with Hong Kong-based Insilico and metabolomics, to provide com-
in AI-driven biotech Exscientia; and Medicine, leveraging the latter’s Pharma prehensive insights during preclinical
Eurofins’ collaboration with UgenTec AI platform to expedite drug discov- studies. Data analytics and informatics
to apply AI for high-throughput molecu- ery. Insilico, a pioneer in applying deep are increasingly being integrated into
lar testing. In September 2022, Pfizer learning for drug discovery, will assist preclinical research to extract meaning-
announced the expansion of its multi- Sanofi in developing treatments in areas ful insights from large datasets.
year partnership with Israel-based AI in such as cancer, fibrosis, and immunity.
pharma company, CytoReason. Under The collaboration signifies a $21.5-mn In March 2023, AstraZeneca pre-
this agreement, Pfizer will invest $20-mn investment by Sanofi for upfront and sented preclinical data on an AI-gene-
in equity, with the option to license target nomination fees, granting access rated target, the Serum Response Factor
CytoReason’s platform and disease to Insilico’s AI platform and their (SRF), for idiopathic pulmonary fibro-
models and fund further project support interdisciplinary team of scientists. The sis (IPF), from its collaboration with
in a deal that could reach up to $110-mn partnership holds potential for further UK-based AI company BenevolentAI.
over the next five years. Since the initi- payments up to $1-bn if key R&D and The target, discovered via BenevolentAI’s
ation of the collaboration in 2019, Pfizer sales milestones are reached. AI-enabled drug discovery engine,

Chemical Weekly September 24, 2024 171

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