Innovations in Generative AI and Foundation Models

Generative AI in Therapeutic Antibody Development: With the cooperation announced today, Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM will be able to employ IBM’s foundation model technology to find new candidate antibodies for the development of effective treatments.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s Andrew Nixon, Global Head of Biotherapeutics Discovery, said, “We are very excited to collaborate with the research team at IBM, who share our vision of making in silico biologic drug discovery a reality.” “We will create an unparalleled platform for expedited antibody discovery by collaborating with IBM scientists, and I am sure that this will allow Boehringer to create and provide novel treatments for patients with significant unmet needs.”

Boehringer plans to use a pre-trained AI model created by IBM, which will be further refined using additional proprietary data owned by Boehringer. Vice President of Accelerated Discovery at IBM Research Alessandro Curioni stated, “IBM has been at the forefront of creating generative AI models that extend AI’s impact beyond the domain of language.” “We are excited to now enable Boehringer, a pioneer in the creation and production of antibody-based treatments, to leverage IBM’s multimodal foundation model technologies to help quicken Boehringer’s ability to develop new therapeutics.”

Foundational models for the finding of antibodies

Therapeutic antibodies play a key role in the management of numerous illnesses, such as infectious, autoimmune, and cancerous conditions. The identification and creation of therapeutic antibodies encompassing a variety of epitopes continues to be an extremely difficult and time-consuming procedure, even with significant technological advancements.

Researchers from IBM and Boehringer will work together to use in-silico techniques to speed up the antibody discovery process.  New human antibody sequences will be generated in silico using the sequence, structure, and molecular profile data of disease-relevant targets as well as success criteria for therapeutically relevant antibody molecules, such as developability, specificity, and affinity. The efficacy and speed of antibody discovery, as well as the quality of anticipated antibody candidates, are intended to be enhanced by these techniques, which are based on new IBM foundation model technology.

The defined targets are designed with antibody candidates using IBM’s foundation model technologies, which have proven effective in producing biologics and small molecules with relevant target affinities. AI-enhanced simulation is then used to screen the antibody candidates and select and refine the best binders for the target. The antibody candidates will be produced at mini-scales and evaluated experimentally by Boehringer Ingelheim as part of a validation process. Subsequently, the outcomes of the lab trials will be applied to enhance the in-silico techniques through feedback loops.

Boehringer is creating a cutting-edge digital ecosystem to facilitate the acceleration of medication discovery and development and to generate new breakthrough prospects to improve the lives of patients by working with top academic and industry partners.

Generative AI in Therapeutic Antibody Development

Additionally, IBM is using foundation models and Generative AI to speed up the discovery and development of new biologics and small chemicals, and this study is the latest in this endeavor. Earlier in the year, the business’s Generative AI model accurately predicted the physico-chemical characteristics of tiny compounds that resembled drugs. 

Pre-trained models for drug-target interactions and protein-protein interactions are developed using a variety of heterogeneous, publically available data sets by the IBM Biomedical Foundation Model Technologies.  In order to provide newly created proteins and small molecules with the required qualities, the pre-trained models are subsequently refined using particular confidential data belonging to IBM’s partner.

Concerning Boehringer Ingelheim

Innovative treatments that change lives now and for future generations are being developed by Boehringer Ingelheim. As a top biopharmaceutical business focused on research, it adds value through innovation in highly unmet medical needs. Having been family-owned since its founding in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim adopts a long-term, sustainable viewpoint. The two business groups, Human Pharma and Animal Health, employ more than 53,000 people to service more than 130 markets. Go to www.boehringer-ingelheim.com to learn more.

Regarding IBM

IBM is a top global supplier of Generative AI, hybrid cloud, and consulting services. They assist clients in over 175 countries to acquire a competitive advantage in their respective industries, optimize business processes, cut expenses, and capitalize on insights from their data. IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift are used by over 4,000 government and business institutions in critical infrastructure domains including financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare to facilitate their digital transformations in a timely, secure, and effective manner.

IBM clients are given open and flexible alternatives by IBM’s ground-breaking advances in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consultancy. IBM has a strong history of upholding integrity, openness, accountability, diversity, and customer service.