TL;DR:
- AION Labs unveils TenAces, a startup using AI for molecular glue therapies.
- Molecular glues enhance targeted protein degradation for potential cancer and neurodegenerative disease treatments.
- TenAces combines biology and machine learning to identify protein interactions.
- Partnership with pharma giants and venture capital firms fuels innovation.
- AION Labs’ commitment to biotech innovation strengthens with strategic partnerships.
- Previous startups OMEC.AI and DenovAI have advanced drug discovery.
Main AI News:
In a remarkable stride towards revolutionizing the field of drug discovery, Israel-based AION Labs has officially launched its latest endeavor, TenAces. This visionary startup is poised to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in tandem with biology and cutting-edge machine learning algorithms, all in the pursuit of uncovering groundbreaking molecular glue therapies designed to enhance targeted protein degradation.
Molecular glues, the focal point of TenAces’ research, are minuscule molecules with the remarkable ability to alter the interactions between proteins, effectively coaxing them to interact when they typically wouldn’t. This groundbreaking innovation holds immense potential in the realms of treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
At the heart of this endeavor lies the understanding of protein degradation, an intrinsic component of our body’s protein homeostasis. It’s the process by which our cells break down aged or damaged proteins, repurposing them for vital bodily functions.
TenAces, born out of AION Labs’ fifth startup challenge, is set to leverage the immense capabilities of machine learning. Their mission? To identify naturally occurring protein interactions that could serve as a catalyst for targeted protein degradation, with the ultimate goal of discovering and crafting novel molecular glue therapies.
One of TenAces’ distinguishing features is its commitment to marrying biology with the development of machine learning algorithms. This unique approach establishes a synergy of multiple feedback loops, validated by wet lab experiments. These validations will, in turn, steer the refinement of algorithms, enhancing their predictive prowess.
Dr. Arnout Schepers, the visionary founder and CEO of TenAces, elucidated, “We are forging a groundbreaking path towards targeted protein degradation by pinpointing optimal E3 degraders and formulating molecular glues to eliminate disease-causing proteins. With a staggering 85% of target proteins currently deemed undruggable, we hold the potential to address a wide spectrum of debilitating diseases.”
Acknowledging the indispensable role played by AION Labs, Dr. Schepers continued, “The invaluable support provided by our esteemed pharma partners has been instrumental in shaping TenAces. Their unwavering commitment, along with essential resources and guidance, has empowered us to develop and ultimately commercialize solutions that promise more effective treatment modalities.“
THE WIDER LANDSCAPE AION Labs, conceived under the auspices of a government tender with the staunch backing of the Israeli government through the Israel Innovation Authority, boasts a formidable consortium. Its roster includes pharmaceutical giants such as AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer, and Teva, in addition to strategic partner Amazon Web Services and renowned venture capital firm Israel Biotech Fund. Furthermore, the company has joined forces with the esteemed German independent research institute Bio Med X.
In a recent announcement, AION Labs solidified a strategic partnership with Israeli early-stage venture capital firm Amiti Ventures. This alliance is set to bolster AION’s proficiency in the domain of biotech innovation by expanding its expertise in computational technology domains and deep technology.
AION Labs has been at the forefront of innovation, with previous startups like OMEC.AI, launched in 2022. OMEC.AI’s mission is to create an AI-powered computational platform that aids researchers in evaluating a drug candidate’s clinical trial readiness, recommending experiments to address identified gaps, and identifying hidden safety concerns.
In the previous year, the company introduced DenovAI, a groundbreaking startup focused on harnessing AI to discover potential antibodies from scratch and suggesting which ones hold the promise of being effective drugs.
Conclusion:
AION Labs’ launch of TenAces, driven by AI and biology, signifies a significant stride in the pharmaceutical market. Their quest for molecular glue therapies to enhance protein degradation holds immense potential for treating challenging diseases. Collaborations with industry leaders and strategic partnerships underscore their commitment to pioneering advancements in biotechnology.
