- AstraZeneca is investing $18 million in Immunai Inc to use AI to improve the efficiency of cancer drug trials.
- The collaboration will improve clinical decision-making in oncology, focusing on dose selection and biomarker identification.
OUR TAKE
AstraZeneca has entered into an $18 million agreement with Immunai to use its artificial intelligence model to improve the efficiency of its cancer drug trials. The collaboration is part of AstraZeneca’s continued efforts to integrate AI into drug development, following a significant $247 million deal last year to develop cancer-fighting antibodies. Immunai, a New York-based biotech company, specialises in decoding the immune system using single-cell genomics and AI to revolutionise clinical decision-making in oncology.
–Heidi Luo, BTW reporter
What happened
AstraZeneca has announced an $18 million collaboration with New York-based biotechnology company Immunai to use its advanced AI model of the immune system. The partnership aims to streamline cancer drug development and make clinical trials more efficient.
Founded in 2018, Immunai combines single-cell genomics and machine learning to improve the development of new therapeutics by comprehensively analysing the immune system.
In the first phase of the collaboration, AstraZeneca will gain access to Immunai’s state-of-the-art AI platform. This access is expected to provide AstraZeneca with valuable insights into the mechanisms of action of immunotherapies.
According to AstraZeneca’s chief data scientist for oncology R&D, Iker Huerga, the collaboration will focus on key areas of clinical decision-making, including dose selection and biomarker identification, which are critical to optimising treatment efficacy.
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Why it’s important
By integrating Immunai’s AI model, AstraZeneca aims not only to increase the efficiency of its drug trials, but also to improve its ability to more accurately predict treatment outcomes. This strategic move is expected to accelerate the time to market for its cancer therapies, potentially leading to more rapid advances in treatment options for patients.
The partnership also underscores the critical role of AI in transforming the pharmaceutical landscape, particularly in the area of personalised medicine. By focusing on dose selection and biomarker identification, AstraZeneca is paving the way for more personalised treatment plans that meet the needs of individual patients.
The ability to decode and manipulate complex immune responses using AI could lead to breakthroughs in understanding how different cancers respond to different therapies. The collaboration between AstraZeneca and Immunai sets a precedent for the future of AI in improving drug discovery and development processes across the industry.
