German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has recently announced a new partnership with IBM. The collaboration will focus on utilizing generative artificial intelligence and basic models developed by IBM to advance the development of therapeutic antibodies.
Antibodies play a crucial role in treating various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Despite significant advancements in the field, the process of discovering and developing therapeutic antibodies, which target specific parts of antigens known as epitopes, remains complex and time-consuming.
Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM researchers will work together to expedite the antibody discovery process using an In Silico approach. This method involves the utilization of computer modeling and simulation to tackle intricate biological and chemical problems.
By leveraging IBM’s technologies for fundamental models, the partnership aims to enhance the speed, efficiency, and quality of antibody discovery. These models provide valuable information about the sequence, structure, and molecular profile of disease-associated targets. They also assist in identifying therapeutically significant antibodies based on criteria such as affinity, specificity, and development potential.
By collaborating with prominent academic and industrial partners, Boehringer Ingelheim seeks to establish an advanced digital ecosystem that accelerates the process of drug discovery and development. The partnership also represents IBM’s latest effort to leverage generative artificial intelligence and fundamental models in accelerating drug discovery for both biological drugs and small molecules.