Boston – Nov 16, 2023
Advancing Small Molecule Therapeutics with AI
PostEra has entered into a multi-target research collaboration with Amgen to accelerate the discovery of small molecule therapeutics using artificial intelligence. This partnership combines PostEra’s AI-powered platform, Proton, with Amgen’s deep expertise in small molecule development, targeting up to five drug discovery programs.
Amgen Gains Access to PostEra’s AI Technology
As part of the agreement, Amgen has the option to use PostEra’s AI technology across its own internal R&D programs beyond the scope of this partnership. The deal includes upfront funding, milestone payments, and the potential for royalties on future therapies—highlighting the growing importance of AI in advancing drug discovery.
Scaling Research with Additional Small Molecule Targets and ADCs
Under a separate agreement with Pfizer, PostEra previously hit the limit of nominated research programs, prompting an expansion into additional small molecule targets and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). PostEra’s AI platform is being used to refine payload and linker design for ADCs, increasing the precision and effectiveness of targeted cancer treatments.
Proven AI Capabilities in Drug Discovery
“The Proton platform has consistently proven its ability to take on some of the toughest small molecule discovery challenges,” said Aaron Morris, CEO of PostEra. “We believe AI can significantly advance drug discovery, but we’re also conscious of the hype surrounding the field. That’s why we’ve focused on validating Proton in real-world programs with various partners across multiple therapeutic areas.”
“We’re excited to partner with Amgen, which brings vast experience in numerous therapeutic areas and a strong history of addressing complex biological challenges,” added Dr. Alpha Lee, Chief Scientific Officer at PostEra.
PostEra’s Leadership in AI-Driven Drug Discovery
Since its founding in 2019, PostEra has become a leader in AI-driven drug discovery. Its technology, based on foundational academic research, has led to over $1 billion in partnerships. The company was instrumental in launching the COVID Moonshot initiative, the world’s largest open-science drug discovery effort. Through its AI innovations, PostEra continues to revolutionize medicinal chemistry and streamline the drug discovery cycle.
About PostEra AI
PostEra is a next-generation biotech firm leveraging its AI platform, Proton, to accelerate drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. In addition to building its own pipeline, PostEra collaborates with pharmaceutical partners, including Pfizer and Amgen, through multi-year agreements valued over $1 billion. It also leads a pandemic preparedness drug discovery center, supported by one of the largest NIH grants to date. Through AI and machine learning, PostEra aims to bring breakthrough therapies to patients faster.
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