Bayer and Aignostics GmbH have unveiled a strategic partnership aimed at advancing precision oncology drug research and development through various artificial intelligence (AI)-powered initiatives. Aignostics, a spin-off from the esteemed Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, specializes in leveraging computational pathology to translate intricate biomedical data into actionable biological insights.
Together, the collaborators will pioneer a groundbreaking target identification platform, merging Aignostics’ cutting-edge technology and exclusive multimodal patient cohorts with Bayer’s extensive experience in discovering and advancing innovative oncology treatments. Furthermore, the collaboration will encompass the creation of AI and machine learning (ML)-driven computational pathology algorithms. These algorithms will bridge baseline pathology data, including molecular tumor profiles, with clinical information such as patient outcomes. The objective is to enhance patient identification, stratification, and selection for clinical trials.
The overarching aim of this multi-year research endeavor is to pinpoint novel cancer targets with robust disease associations by employing AI models on multimodal patient data, thereby expediting the clinical development of oncology programs. This approach holds promise in addressing prevailing challenges in target discovery and disease heterogeneity.
Christian Rommel, Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Research and Development, underscored the significance of integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into precision drug development, emphasizing its potential for revolutionizing R&D innovation. He highlighted the collaboration’s capacity to facilitate discoveries and accelerate clinical development, ultimately enhancing cancer patients’ access to impactful medicines.
The partnership will capitalize on Aignostics’ technological prowess and access to longitudinal, multimodal clinical datasets within meticulously characterized patient cohorts to unearth new oncology targets for indications with high unmet medical needs. As per the agreement, the companies will embark on multiple discovery programs and initiate at least two target identification initiatives.
Viktor Matyas, CEO of Aignostics GmbH, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration’s potential to expedite the development of better drugs for patients with significant unmet needs. He emphasized the transformative power of combining Aignostics’ technology and data with Bayer’s expertise in drug discovery and clinical development, echoing a commitment to translating AI’s potential into tangible healthcare advancements.
Aignostics stands to receive an upfront payment and stands eligible for success-based milestone payments and royalties on any commercialized therapies arising from the collaboration.
