London, UK – Sept 20, 2023
Partnership Utilizes AI-Driven Drug Discovery to Advance Oncology, Neurology, and Immunology Treatments
BenevolentAI, a leader in artificial intelligence-driven biopharmaceutical research, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Merck, a global science and technology company based in Darmstadt, Germany. This partnership is designed to accelerate the discovery and development of novel drug candidates targeting oncology, neurology, and immunology.
Financial Terms and Royalties
Under the terms of the agreement, BenevolentAI stands to receive up to $594 million in payments, including:
- An upfront sum in the low double-digit millions
- Milestone-based payments across discovery, development, and commercialization stages
Additionally, tiered royalties will be payable on net sales of any successfully commercialized products resulting from the partnership.
Leveraging AI for Drug Discovery
Through this collaboration, Merck will leverage BenevolentAI’s proprietary AI platform and its expertise in drug discovery. The collaboration will focus on:
- Identifying innovative compounds
- Optimizing them from Hit Identification through to pre-clinical development
AI-Powered Chemistry and Laboratory Facilities
BenevolentAI will apply its suite of AI-powered chemistry design tools, along with its state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in Cambridge, UK, to deliver small molecule drug candidates for Merck’s research pipeline. These candidates will then proceed through further pre-clinical and clinical development.
Leadership Perspective
Joanna Shields, CEO of BenevolentAI, stated:
“This collaboration with Merck highlights our ability to harness AI to drive innovation in drug discovery. By combining our advanced technology with deep expertise in molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology, we can accelerate the identification of promising drug candidates. We look forward to working closely with Merck to advance new therapeutic solutions for patients worldwide.”
About BenevolentAI
BenevolentAI is a leading innovator in artificial intelligence-driven biomedical research. The company uses advanced AI to unlock the potential of complex biomedical data, generate novel insights, and accelerate drug discovery. Headquartered in London, BenevolentAI also operates a cutting-edge research center in Cambridge, UK, and maintains an office in New York.
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