AstraZeneca and Absci AI Biologics Collaboration: A $247 Million Venture
The U.S. AI biologics firm, Absci, has joined forces with the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca in a groundbreaking deal valued at up to $247 million, according to Absci’s statement on Sunday.
Pioneering a Zero-Shot Generative AI Model for Cancer Therapeutics
The core objective of this partnership is the development of a revolutionary zero-shot generative AI model. This model is specifically tailored for crafting advanced antibody therapeutics to combat cancer, although the specific cancer type has not been specified in the official statement.
Absci’s approach involves applying generative artificial intelligence, a process that intricately designs drug candidates by considering crucial factors such as target affinity, safety, and manufacturability.
Sean McClain, the CEO of Absci, expressed his pride in the collaboration, stating, “We’re proud to work closely with AstraZeneca to leverage our AI to bring novel treatments to oncology patients.”
The Financial Times, the first to report on this deal, outlined its components, which include an upfront fee for Absci, research and development funding, milestone payments, and royalties linked to potential product sales.
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