TL;DR:
- Boehringer Ingelheim collaborates with IBM to employ AI in antibody drug discovery.
- IBM’s foundation model tech, initially developed and trained, will be enhanced with Boehringer’s proprietary data.
- The AI model simulates experiments to identify potential antibody candidates.
- Successes are tested in the lab, and results are fed back into the AI model for refinement.
- IBM’s technology has proven efficacy in generating biologics and small molecules.
- This partnership exemplifies IBM’s continued involvement in drug discovery, following collaborations with Pfizer and Moderna.
Main AI News:
In a strategic move aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of drug discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading German pharmaceutical giant, has integrated an artificial intelligence (AI) model, cultivated within the hallowed precincts of IBM’s computer laboratories. In this era of relentless innovation, Boehringer Ingelheim joins the ranks of Big Pharma titans who are harnessing the formidable capabilities of machine learning tools to enhance their drug discovery endeavors.
The bedrock of this technological marvel is IBM’s foundation model, meticulously honed and nurtured within the confines of IBM’s research and development powerhouse. However, the real game-changer lies in Boehringer’s forthcoming plan to refine this model further by infusing it with additional proprietary data, creating a potent synergy that promises to unlock groundbreaking insights into the realm of antibody therapeutics.
Andrew Nixon, the global head of biotherapeutics discovery at Boehringer, enthusiastically voiced his anticipation of this groundbreaking collaboration in a press release dated November 28. He emphasized, “We are very excited to collaborate with the research team at IBM, who share our vision of making biologic drug discovery a reality in silico. I am confident that by joining forces with IBM scientists, we will develop an unprecedented platform for accelerated antibody discovery, which will enable Boehringer to develop and deliver new treatments for patients with high unmet need.”
The core concept behind this innovation revolves around the AI model’s ability to ingest detailed information about the sequence, structure, and molecular profile of specific disease targets. Armed with this knowledge, the AI model performs intricate simulations of experiments, thereby identifying antibody molecules with the highest probability of success. These selected candidates are then subjected to rigorous laboratory testing, and the resulting data is fed back into the AI model for iterative refinement.
IBM’s foundation model technology has already earned its stripes in the realm of “generating biologics and small molecules with relevant target affinities,” according to the tech behemoth. IBM’s prowess in drug discovery is exemplified by its collaboration with Pfizer, which gained access to IBM Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities back in 2016. Furthermore, Moderna recently partnered with IBM to explore the utilization of quantum computing in the development of its future pharmaceutical offerings.
Alessandro Curioni, Vice President of Accelerated Discovery at IBM Research, highlighted the company’s pioneering role in creating generative AI models that transcend the boundaries of language models. He stated, “We are thrilled to now bring IBM’s multimodal foundation model technologies to Boehringer, a leader in the development and manufacturing of antibody-based therapies, to help accelerate the pace at which Boehringer can create new therapeutics.”
Conclusion:
The collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM signifies a pivotal moment in the pharmaceutical industry, as AI-driven drug discovery gains prominence. This partnership is set to accelerate the development of antibody-based therapies, potentially reshaping the market by ushering in a new era of innovation and treatment possibilities.
