Sanofi Deepens 'All in AI' Strategy with $140M Collaboration with Aqemia for Generative AI-Driven Drug Discovery

On December 5, according to the industry media Endpoints, Sanofi will reach a multi-year cooperation agreement with the French start-up Aqemia. Aqemia will use its generative artificial intelligence (AI), deep physics algorithms, and platform to design novel drug molecules, and Sanofi will pay Aqemia $140 million. However, specific development plans and disease area details have not been disclosed.

This is not the first collaboration between Sanofi and Aqemia. As early as 2020, the two companies began their cooperation, applying Aqemia's unique technology to the design and discovery of new molecules for multiple oncology-related projects. In 2022, Aqemia announced the extension of its initial collaboration with Sanofi in AI and quantum physics-driven oncology drug discovery.

Aqemia, founded in 2019, is committed to expanding the drug discovery process by leveraging a unique technology that combines quantum-inspired physics and machine learning.

In October 2022, Aqemia announced the completion of a €30 million Series A financing round. In January 2023, Aqemia announced the expansion of its new molecule discovery collaboration with Servier, focusing on undruggable targets in immuno-oncology. The company currently has over 50 employees and is developing 15 projects across various fields, including oncology, immunology, and others.

Aqemia CEO Maximilien Levesque said that by the end of 2024, Aqemia's workforce is expected to double, and the company also plans to establish new companies around the small molecules it has created.

Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson once stated, "Our goal is to become the first large-scale AI-driven pharmaceutical company."

In June 2023, Sanofi announced the next step in its company-wide digital transformation, going "All in" on artificial intelligence and data science to accelerate breakthrough achievements for patients.

Sanofi's "ambition" in AI cannot be underestimated. Since 2015, Sanofi has announced several collaborations in the AI field. In October this year, its collaboration with BioMap, exceeding 1 billion US dollars, also attracted industry attention.

As the first multinational pharmaceutical giant to make such a bold statement amid the AI wave, this latest collaboration also represents Sanofi's strong commitment to betting on AI.

References:

https://endpts.com/sanofis-ai-dealmaking-continues-with-up-to-140m-for-collaboration-with-paris-startup-aqemia/