On a chilly November day in 2023, a strategic alliance was born between computing titan IBM and pharmaceutical powerhouse Boehringer Ingelheim.
This collaboration is focused on utilizing IBM’s robust foundation model technologies to unearth potential antibody candidates for the formation of advanced therapeutic solutions.
Andrew Nixon, the Global Head of Biotherapeutics Discovery at Boehringer Ingelheim, expressed sincere excitement about this partnership. He has faith in the research team at IBM and their shared ambition of harnessing digital tools for biological drug discovery.
According to Nixon, “Our synergy with IBM’s scientists will empower us to develop a standout platform for rapid antibody discovery. This hints at a promising future where Boehringer can more swiftly provide life-changing treatments to patients.”
The collaboration involves using a pre-trained AI model developed by IBM and customizing it with Boehringer’s proprietary data for superior performance.
Alessandro Curioni, IBM Research’s Vice President of Accelerated Discovery, praised the tech company’s advancements in AI and noted their potential in drug discovery.
He stated that “extending AI’s reach beyond language has been an important achievement for IBM, and it’s exciting to bring our foundation model technologies to Boehringer, a world leader in antibody-based therapy development.”
Foundation Models Accelerate Antibody Discovery
Therapeutic antibodies are frequently used in treating various diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, making them vital to modern medicine. But even with technological advancements, discovering and developing new therapeutic antibodies is a complicated, lengthy process.
However, through this partnership, Boehringer and IBM researchers aim to fast-track this process using in-silico methods.
The collaborative work will revolve around data on the sequence, structure, and molecular profile of disease targets, along with the metrics for therapeutically promising antibody molecules.
These factors will act as the foundation for the creation of new human antibody sequences digitally. IBM’s foundation model technology, backed by a track record of success in biologics and small molecules generation, will spearhead this operation to expedite antibody discovery and boost the quality of predicted candidates.
The goal of IBM’s foundation technologies is to design antibody candidates for predefined targets and refine their effectiveness by applying AI-enhanced simulations.
The pharmaceutical titan, Boehringer Ingelheim, will take responsibility for producing and experimenting with these antibody candidates on a small scale.
The data they collect from real-life experiments will help in refining their in-silico mechanisms for efficiency.
Boehringer is not just focusing on achieving digital excellence but also forging connections with academic and industry leaders. These collaborations are crucial in its quest to expedite drug discovery and offer breakthrough solutions that change patients’ lives.
IBM’s Expeditions in AI and Foundation Models
IBM has always been a pathfinder in harnessing generative AI and foundation models to drive discovery and create novel biologics and small molecules. Notably, their AI model successfully predicted physico-chemical attributes of drug-like small molecules earlier this year.
The foundation model technologies leverage a diverse range of publicly available datasets, including protein interactions and drug-target relationships, to develop initial models.
These are then refined with the exclusive data of IBM’s partners, enabling the design of proteins and molecules with desirable attributes.
Learn More About Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM
Boehringer Ingelheim, a research-led biopharmaceutical company, is dedicated to developing groundbreaking treatments that can improve lives now and for future generations.
They are renowned for creating value through innovation in areas of significant medical need. Their journey started in 1885, and they have remained a family-owned business, prizing longevity and sustainability.
With a team of more than 53,000 professionals serving over 130 global markets, their operations span across human pharmaceuticals and animal health.
IBM, on the other hand, is an esteemed provider of global hybrid cloud and AI solutions, coupled with unmatched consulting expertise.
They empower clients across more than 175 countries to unlock insights from their data, streamline business procedures, cut costs, and gain a competitive edge in their industries.
The company’s client list includes more than 4,000 corporate and governmental entities in the financial, telecom, and healthcare sectors.
IBM’s reputation is carved from continuous innovation in AI and services, commitment to transparency, trust, social responsibility, and inclusivity.
