AstraZeneca partners with AI company to find cancer cure.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which has developed one of the vaccines for Covid-19, will partner with US-based artificial intelligence (AI) biologics firm ABC to develop anti-cancer antibodies.
According to a Financial Times report on December 3, AstraZeneca will invest up to $247 million in research and development, including milestone payments and an upfront payment to Abcy. The collaboration aims to create a zero-shot generating AI model that works to create new antibodies for cancer and improve existing ones. The report did not specify the type and type of cancer.
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Abcy's website says the AI screen reveals “billions of cells” every week, from antibodies to wet “lab-confirmed candidates” in six weeks. Currently, the company is involved in 17 active projects. According to AstraZeneca Senior Vice President Pooja Sapra:
“AI will not only increase the success and speed of our biological research process, but it will also allow us to improve the composition of the biologists we find.”
ABCC CEO Shane McLain officially confirmed the partnership, according to a Reuters report, which will help AstraZeneca use its AI work. Cointelegraph has contacted Absci for more information but has yet to receive a response.
AI is gaining momentum in the healthcare industry as it can dramatically accelerate both innovative research and the accuracy of data analysis. In November, a Hong Kong hospital authority announced the launch of an AI pilot to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, or superbugs. AI will analyze clinical data to determine whether antibiotic prescribing is necessary, as overuse has led to the emergence of resistant superbugs on the island.
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