Bayer and Exscientia collaborate to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence

10-Jan-2020 - Germany

Bayer and Exscientia Ltd., a UK-based artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, have entered into a three-year, multi-target collaboration. The partners will work on early research projects combining Exscientia’s proprietary AI drug discovery platform and drug design know-how with Bayer’s data and drug discovery capabilities. They aim to identify and optimize novel lead structures for potential drug candidates to treat cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Exscientia may be eligible to receive up to EUR 240 million, including upfront and research payments, near term and clinical milestones. As part of the agreement, Exscientia may also receive sales royalties. Bayer owns the rights to novel lead structures generated as part of the collaboration.

AI has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and improve the drug development productivity in terms of quality, cost and cycle time. Up to now, it takes 12 to 15 years from early research to marketing approval of a new drug. The collaboration focuses on early stage research by using an AI-based algorithm to predict potential drug molecules. Exscientia’s AI-driven drug discovery technology provides novel chemical matter for difficult-to-address targets and could identify novel drug candidates more efficiently through less optimization cycles.

“We are driving forward digital transformation in R&D as we believe that digital technologies such as AI can simplify and speed up the discovery and development of new drugs for patients,” said Dr. Joerg Moeller, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Research and Development. “The collaboration with Exscientia is expected to help us to achieve project milestones earlier and at the same time accelerate timelines by enabling more precise identification of suitable drug targets and lead structures.”

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Bayer, a globally recognized pharmaceutical company who has already committed significant investment to treating challenging diseases,” said Professor Andrew Hopkins, CEO of Exscientia. “Since our pioneering Nature papers demonstrated the automated design of small-molecules, we have enhanced our platform and exemplified it commercially, by accelerating the discovery of future drug molecules with partners. We’re excited to now work with Bayer researchers to drive this transformational change in key therapeutic areas.”

The Pharmaceuticals Business Development & Licensing team of Bayer facilitated this collaboration.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/1164372/bayer-and-exscientia-collaborate-to-leverage-the-potential-of-artificial-intelligence.html