Bayer taps AI technologies in drug discovery collaboration
According to Naheed Kurji, president and CEO of Cyclica, Bayer will use Cyclica’s cloud-based proteome screening platform, Ligand Express, to screen small molecules across the entire proteome. Additionally, Bayer will analyze the data generated through downstream systems and search filters.
Kurji said Bayer will also use Cyclica’s ADMET-Prediction technology to develop insights into pharmacokinetic properties, and its differential drug design technology to further multi-targeted drug design.
Kurji told us, “Given the challenges pharma is facing, now, more than ever before, we are seeing a demand for technological insights, and a willingness to adopt technology platforms to address and augment the value chain, as well as introduce new opportunities for scientific exploration and development.
“Specifically, we are seeing a thirst in the drug discovery world for technologies that identify and validate novel targets, that design drugs more efficiently and in higher quality, and that personalize the drug discovery and development process, all with the ultimate goal of guiding R&D strategies more efficiently.”
Kurji stated that technological insights like artificial intelligence, structure-based technologies using principles of biophysics, and machine learning, are necessary to strengthen drug discovery capabilities within the industry.
In August of 2018, Cyclica also entered into a multi-phase collaboration with WuXi AppTec Research Services Division to use AI in polypharmalogical drug discovery. Through the partnership Cyclica stated it would use its AI platform as a way of enhancing the development and screening of personalized medicines.
