Atomwise Announces $1 Billion AI-Driven Collaboration to Develop Up to 13 Novel Small Molecule Therapies with Bridge Biotherapeutics

Recently, AI-driven drug design company Atomwise and Bridge Biotherapeutics jointly announced that they will launch development programs for up to 13 small-molecule drugs across multiple therapeutic areas, leveraging AI technology. Bridge Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company with only 17 full-time employees. Its lead investigational drug is an innovative inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino-1, which may play a key role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Atomwise has collaborated with researchers at leading academic institutions, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and startup partners, on more than 500 drug development projects. Its core technology, called AtomNet, is a virtual drug discovery platform based on deep learning neural networks. AtomNet functions like a human chemist, leveraging powerful deep learning algorithms and computational capabilities to analyze data on millions of potential new drugs. Driven by a “virtual brain” that mimics the human visual cortex, AtomNet trains itself by “learning” from millions of data points on the mechanisms of drug action. With this vast knowledge base, AtomNet’s virtual brain can apply recognized patterns to predict the efficacy of hypothetical drugs and offer surprising recommendations for repurposing existing medications.

Atomwise’s AI technology can screen vast libraries of compounds to identify and predict chemical structures that bind with high affinity, thereby freeing drug development from limitations imposed by the number of available compounds and the resources required to synthesize and screen them. By evaluating a broader range of molecules through its AI platform, researchers are able to uncover new therapeutic opportunities and novel treatments. In theory, leveraging Atomwise’s technology and collaborative workflows can compress the drug discovery process, which traditionally takes years, into just weeks or months.

Image source: Atomwise official website

Under the terms of the agreement, Atomwise will evaluate and initiate development programs targeting Bridge Biotherapeutics’ E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino and other targets, and will be eligible to receive up to $1 billion in total payments, plus royalties on future sales of drugs developed through this collaboration.

“We are delighted to establish our first partnership in South Korea with Mr. James and Bridge’s experienced team,” said Dr. Abraham Heifets, Co-founder and CEO of Atomwise. “Bridge has successfully licensed development projects to global partners such as Boehringer Ingelheim. We look forward to building a long-term partnership with them.”

References:

[1] Atomwise and Bridge Biotherapeutics Sign $1B Deal to Unlock Blockbuster Potential in Inflammation, Retrieved March 08, 2020, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200309005771/en/Atomwise-Bridge-Biotherapeutics-Sign-1B-Deal-Unlock

Flash | Atomwise Secures $1 Billion Partnership to Leverage AI for Developing Potential Blockbuster Small-Molecule Therapies

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