I: Exploring 🧭 TechBio
Latest on TechBio ⛽: Insilico Medicine, Aikium, Twist Bioscience & Absci and Top 10 AI Bio Applications
“Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.”
By Edwin Hubble
⚛️ Insilico Medicine Inc
On October 30, 2024, Insilico Medicine announced a milestone achieved in the multi-year research collaboration with Sanofi. Following the agreement in November 2022, the collaboration just yielded an AI-facilitated lead with first-in-class potential against a challenging undruggable transcription factor target for treating oncology diseases, enhanced by Insilico Medicine’s AI platform Pharma.AI (Insilico Medicine achieves a milestone in AI-facilitated drug discovery collaboration with Sanofi). This target is typically inaccessible through conventional drug development methods.
Back in 2022, Sanofi S.A. (Euronext Paris: SAN) joined forces with Insilico Medicine signing a strategic research agreement potentially worth up to $1.2 Billion, to leverage Insilico Medicine’s AI platform, Pharma.AI, to advance drug development candidates for up to six new targets. Accordingly, Sanofi paid Insilico Medicine a total of up to $21.5M covering the upfront and target nomination fees to benefit from Insilico’s end-to-end Pharma.AI platform and gained access to a team of interdisciplinary drug discovery scientists to identify, synthesize and advance high-quality lead therapeutic compounds up to development candidate stage.
During 2024, Sanofi initiated also the following AI collaborations: On March 14, 2024, the Germany-based AI-driven drug discovery company Partex Group announced a collaboration with Sanofi. On March 17, 2024, COTA & Sanofi Partnered to Leverage Real-World Data and AI to Accelerate Cancer Trials. On March 22 2024, Owkin, announced the expansion of their collaboration with Sanofi to include immunology (Owkin Expands Collaboration with Sanofi). On May 21, 2024, Sanofi, OpenAI and Formation Bio formed a partnership the latest in a string of life science genAI announcements.
For more:
Regarding Insilico, on September 25, 2024 the company shared positive preliminary results from its Phase IIa clinical trial evaluating ISM001-055, a first-in-class small molecule targeting TNIK (Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase) (Positive Phase IIa results support AI-powered drug discovery). On September 11, 2024, Insilico Medicine nominated WRN small molecule pre-clinical candidate for MSI-H cancers, targeting synthetic lethality. WRN was identified as a synthetic lethal target in microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancer cells, holding treatment potential for MSI-H patients not responding to available therapies. On September 13, 2024, Insilico announced that has achieved a groundbreaking collaboration with Inimmune, which will utilize Chemistry42, Insilico’s proprietary generative AI technology to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation immunotherapeutics (Insilico Medicine and Inimmune Achieved collaboration to Revolutionize Immunotherapy with AI-Driven Drug Discovery).
⚛️ Aikium Inc
Aikium (operating out of the Bakar Bioengenuity Hub at Berkeley, CA.) is a pre-seed protein therapeutics startup incorporating breakthroughs in synthetic biology and DL. Their proprietary non-antibody scaffold protein holds the promise of precise programmable binding with universal target coverage.
Most drug designers almost always aim to disable a target protein’s function with small molecules or biologics. Or with RNA therapeutics that completely block the protein translation. But Aikium has another solution. Has essentially invented a new protein family called “SeqR” proteins, that they are sequence specific binders, and offer a more nuanced way to modulate the function of the target protein by binding to its disordered regions.
Aikium is going after chemokine receptors, a subset of G-protein coupled receptors, a large class of molecules that have long proven difficult to target. By virtue of being on immune cells, they are front and center in cancer and immune-mediated diseases.
Starting from existing human proteins, Aikium employs patented generative AI methods and incorporates breakthroughs in LLMs that have not yet been embraced by others in the protein engineering world.
Aikium’s LLMs enable Dr. Venkatesh Mysore (CTO, Co-founder and Head of AI at Aikium) and his team (Dr. Eswar Iyer, Dr. Shankar Shastry) to design SeqR proteins for any given target and afterwards do some REAL experimental work and gather real experimental data.
As Venkatesh pointed out,
“You can do all the fancy modeling you want on a computer. It’ll look beautiful, and everything will appear to bind as predicted. But, of course, the real world is far more complex than what any model can demonstrate, and so it may not actually work when tested. That’s why it’s crucial to build a very large set of proteins and be able to test which ones actually work.”
For their experimental real data, Bakar Labs (a world-class incubator for life-science startups at UC Berkeley's Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, out of which they operate) may be the first place where a protein library of over one trillion has ever been synthesized!
In particular, Aikium’s platform, called Yotta Display, is an industrialized proprietary variant of mRNA display, which has been previously made to work only in the world of short peptides. Aikium has synthesized more than ten target-specific trillion protein libraries, performed multiple rounds of positive and negative selection, and obtained millions of data points about how SeqR-like proteins bind to GPCR-like targets (Tenant Spotlight on Aikium: A Trillion Shots at Targeting Tangled Proteins).
Yotta-ML² is the platform that enables Yotta (10²⁴), scale machine learning (ML) on massive libraries (ML) of SeqRs (ML x ML), with the world’s only trillion-protein mRNA display for large proteins and patented generative AI based on protein language models, and is able to routinely produce nanomolar binders to disordered epitopes from a wide variety of targets, often where antibody and small molecule based approaches have failed.
CTO-turned-CEO Dr. Eswar I., a protege of Prof. George Church (among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2027, that through his Harvard Church Lab has co-founded around 50 biotech companies) with 100+ patents and three 10x Genomics products (offering innovative single cell, spatial biology, & in situ tools), was at the Biocom California last week.
Looking forward to hearing more from Aikium, a company with happy faces.
⚛️ Twist Bioscience Corporation and Absci Corp.
On October 31, 2024, Absci Corporation (NASDAQ: ABSI) and Twist Bioscience Corporation (NASDAQ: TWST) unveiled a collaboration to design a novel therapeutic using generative AI (Absci and Twist Bioscience Collaborate to Design Novel Antibody using Generative AI), against an undisclosed target using Absci’s advanced de novo design capabilities and Twist’s silicon-based DNA synthesis platform, including its Multiplexed Gene Fragments for the testing and validation of antibody candidates designed using Absci’s generative AI technology platform. Twist and Absci intend to seek a partner for human clinical development and commercialization.
Twist Bioscience founded in 2013 by Emily Leproust, Bill Banyai and Bill Peck, is developing a proprietary semiconductor-based synthetic DNA manufacturing process featuring a high-throughput silicon platform that allows miniaturisation of the chemistry necessary for DNA synthesis. In 2021, Twist Bioscience incorporated the MOLCURE AI technology to augment therapeutic antibody discovery. MOLCURE's patented and validated AI platform is based on evolutionary molecular engineering, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and laboratory automation technologies. Moreover, Twist has an integrated offering of antibody discovery services, that combines Twist Biopharma’s synthetic libraries and AI/ML with an in vivo immunization approach gained through the acquisition of Abveris, also known as Twist Boston, an antibody discovery specialist offering end-to-end mAb discovery solutions to biotech and biopharma (Twist Bioscience Announced Robust Antibody Discovery Services Integrating In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Approaches). On October 5, 2023, Twist Bioscience and Bayer Entered Antibody Discovery Deal Valued at up to $188 Million.
Few words about Absci.
Absci (Nasdaq: ABSI) is a generative AI drug creation company that combines AI with scalable wet lab technologies to create better biologics for patients, faster. In January 2023, AbSci became the first company “to create and validate de novo antibodies in silico” using generative AI. In April 2023, AbSci and M2GEN (now Aster Insights), an oncology-focused health informatics solutions company with the most advanced lifetime consented clinico-genomics data (clinical and molecular data set, ORIEN AVATAR), announced a partnership to create new cancer medicines. On December 06, 2023, AbSci announced a potential $247M partnership with AstaZeneca (LON: AZN) to focus on the discovery of novel cancer treatments with the help of AI technology (Absci's Integrated Drug Creation platform, which combines scalable wet lab technologies with AI). On December 20, 2023, Absci and PrecisionLife announced a collaboration to develop a joint portfolio of potential therapeutics addressing unmet medical needs (PrecisionLife and Absci Announce Strategic R&D Partnership to Jointly Develop AI-Enabled Drug Pipeline). Absci reported a loss for 2023, but the Vancouver-based company also brought in $86M in gross proceeds from its common stock offering.
During 2024, Absci and Memorial Sloan Kettering partnered to search for cancer drugs using AI to combine Absci's algorithms for novel antibodies with MSK's extensive oncology research, while its lead AI-designed candidate ABS-101 is anticipated to enter the clinic (Absci Eyes Busy 2025 as Lead AI-Designed Candidate Heads for Clinic).
ABS-101 is a potential best-in-class anti-TL1A antibody designed using Absci’s de novo generative AI foundation model. Absci presented early preclinical data on ABS-101 in January 2024, with three advanced leads showing properties consistent with a potentially superior product profile, including demonstrated high affinity, high potency, favorable developability and extended half-life.
⚛️ Top AI Applications in Biotechnology
A StartUs Insights report showcased the top 10 startups of AI in biotechnology for 2025 (Top 10 AI Applications in Biotechnology (2025+)):
Drug Discovery and Development. Startup to Watch: The Spanish startup CancerAppy develops an AI-driven platform to accelerate oncological targets and drug discovery by analyzing extensive databases that contain 1 billion compounds as drug candidates. ML algorithms integrated into the platform perform lead optimization calculations based on factors like biological activity, target specificity and ADMET properties.
During 2024, CancerAppy Contributed to Innovative Scientific Paper on ADCs in Clinical Use (extensive analysis of the physicochemical properties of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) payloads, yielding crucial insights pivotal for the strategic design and advancement of ADC therapies), a CancerAppy delegation has participated in a roadshow of European companies to learn about the innovative health ecosystem in the Shanghai and Wuxi area and Luis Martin, the Chief Executive Officer of CancerAppy, presented at the ACCESS CHINA Partnering Forum (the largest corporate access event between Asia and the western biopharma industry)–Autumn Virtual Showcase during September 24th to 27th, 2024.
Precision Agriculture. Startup to Watch: The US-based startup Robigo leverages AI and microbial engineering to improve plant health and increase crop yields. It engineers microbes to create crop protectants that are environment-friendly and promote effective crop yields. On May 4, 2023, Robigo has formally closed its Seed financing round with investments totaling $10M, surpassing its original target of $8M. In 2024, SVG Ventures THRIVE announced the selection of its tenth cohort, THRIVE Global X, to support scale-up companies in their journey towards growth within the global AgriFood tech sector. And among the six companies selected for THRIVE Global X was Robigo.
Protein Engineering. Startup to Watch: The US-based startup AI Proteins provides drug-like miniproteins combining AI and synthetic biology. The platform engineers miniproteins and makes it ready for preclinical development in 3 to 12 weeks. On January 18, 2024, Vivtex and AI Proteins Entered Strategic R&D Collaboration to Develop Novel, Oral Biologic Therapies for Inflammatory Diseases; on May 30, 2024, AI Proteins Attended BIO 2024 (Company Provides Update on Technology Platform and Programs) and on June 5, 2024, AI Proteins Strengthened its Leadership Team with the Addition of Biopharmaceutical Industry Veteran Michael D. Krepps as Head of Corporate Strategy.
Genome Sequencing. Startup to Watch: The UK-based startup Gigabiome offers microbiome solutions by leveraging AI and bioinformatics. The company builds tools and devices that assist clinicians to identify antimicrobial resistance and prescribe correct antimicrobials. They leverage the advances in next-generation sequencing, microbiome science and AI to build technology for diagnosing antimicrobial resistance.
Biomanufacturing. Startup to Watch: The UK-based startup HERlab is a synbio and AI startup that uses unconventional microorganisms and LLM to find and develop specialized microbial expression systems for complex protein production.
Synthetic Biology. Startup to Watch: The UK-based startup Bacto Bio combines synthetic biology, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics and AI to culture novel microbes. London-based Bacto Bio discovers novel chemical and biological products in both healthcare and agriculture. Bacto Bio has received two awards under the newly established Engineering Biology Collaborative R&D program, funded by UK Research and Innovation and delivered by Innovate UK, enabling groundbreaking work in antimicrobial discovery (£13.5 million for 48 engineering biology R&D projects). Moreover, Bacto Bio has been recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top UK Startups of 2024.
Lab Automation and Robotics. Startup to Watch: The German startup mo:re minimizes manual tasks in 3D cell culture with its robotic and software platform to automate cell therapies. This solution eliminates animal testing, acts as a co-pilot during the research and reduces the cost of cell therapy.
mo:re has emerged as the winner of the prestigious Gründergeist startup competition. Moreover, mo:re established a collaboration with OrganoTherapeutics and recently they demonstrated the automation of midbrainorganoids derived from iPSCs using their cutting-edge lab platform, achieving a significant increase in cell viability. The application note highlights how the mo:re Lab Platform automates and performs accurate and precise medium exchanges, crucial for maintaining cells' 3D structure and growth.
Tissue Engineering. Startup to Watch: The US-based startup Somite Therapeutics provides an AI-driven cell therapy that improves the generation of new cell types by developing a digital twin of the embryo to identify protocols for generating new cell types and carry out rapid optimization cycles.
Somite.ai is a venture-backed company aiming to become the OpenAI of stem cell biology, developing AI foundation models to produce human tissue for cell therapies at scale for diseases such as diabetes, obesity and muscular dystrophies. Somite's AI platform, AlphaStem, fuels a virtuous cycle since it enables new cell therapies, generating massive data that further improve the platform, empowering even faster therapy creation with broader applications. The company's pipeline includes the promising SMT-M01 program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the SMT-B01 program for metabolic disorders.
Healthcare Diagnostics. Startup to Watch: The Swiss startup Quant Biomarkers offers biomarker-based platforms focused on early detection and real-time health monitoring of chronic diseases. By utilizing in-vitro, in-vivo models, health records and AI, the platform predicts health outcomes and delivers guidance for healthy aging.
In December 2023, an exciting collaboration between Xlife Sciences AG and Quant Biomarkers AG was announced, focused on developing innovative biomarkers for early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition affecting 13.4% of the global population.
AI in Regulatory Compliance. Startup to Watch: The Estonian startup DrugCards develops Drugcard, a regulatory-compliant software platform that automates medical literature monitoring.
For more 🫴 II: Exploring 🧭 TechBio
Latest on TechBio ⛽: Adapsyn & Kapoose Creek, Archon, Aitia, Deep Origin, 1910 Genetics, SandboxAQ, Evogene, Indica Labs, SynSilico, Subtle Medical and OpenBench