I'm a senior editor at Forbes covering healthcare, science, and cutting edge technology. I also co-author the InnovationRX newsletter.
he cellular processes that keep us alive produce a lot of waste. Which is why our cells have evolved a natural garbage disposal system, a group of special chemicals called “protein degraders” that break down unneeded junk in your body. They’ve recently emerged as a key area of interest for pharmaceutical companies, whose scientists are looking for ways to hijack this waste management system, Jersey mob style, and turn it against a variety of diseases.
On Tuesday, VantAI announced a partnership with pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb to use that generative AI platform to develop new molecular glues as potential drugs. Under the terms of the agreement, VantAI will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and will be eligible for up to $674 million total in research milestone payments. VantAI will also be eligible to receive royalties for sales of any drug approved as a result of this collaboration.
When it comes to designing new types of molecular glues and protein degraders, the company’s tech stack is built on generative AI models, said Naef, 29. The key, he said, is using the same pattern recognition underlying services like ChatGPT and Midjourney to help develop new molecular glues. Bristol Myers Squibb is the first company to have actually commercialized protein degrader agents and is interested in expanding its lead in their use to attack disease, Plenge said, adding that they fit in with the company’s goals across a number of diseases, including “transforming outcomes for patients with blood cancers.”