AstraZeneca and Immunai Forge $85M Partnership for IBD Drug Target Discovery

AstraZeneca has announced a new collaboration with artificial intelligence company Immunai, valued at up to $85 million, to advance the discovery of a novel inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy target. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the application of AI and machine learning to drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.

AI-Driven Target Identification

Immunai, a New York-based company specializing in immune system mapping, has successfully identified a potential IBD target using its proprietary AMICA cell atlas and AI model, the Immunodynamics Engine. This sophisticated system combines single-cell multi-omics data sets with machine learning algorithms to model immune function across various diseases.

The deal grants AstraZeneca exclusive rights to develop and commercialize drugs aimed at the undisclosed target. In exchange, AstraZeneca will provide an upfront payment and potential milestone payments, which could total $85 million.

Expanding Collaboration in Immuno-Oncology

This latest agreement builds upon a three-year relationship between AstraZeneca and Immunai, which has previously focused on immuno-oncology research. The partnership has already contributed to AstraZeneca's oncology pipeline, including the development of volrustomig, a CTLA-4 and PD-L1 bispecific antibody currently in phase 3 trials for lung, cervical, and head and neck cancers.

Immunai's technology has also supported AstraZeneca's clinical trial development and broader research into autoimmune, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. The company's approach involves creating a digital map of the immune system by charting the function of each cell type and their interactions with the body and various diseases.

Immunai's Growth and Funding

Founded by researchers and computer engineers from prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard University, and Stanford University, Immunai has seen significant financial backing in recent years. The company secured a $215 million series B funding round in 2021, following a $60 million series A earlier that same year. These substantial investments have enabled Immunai to expand its research capabilities and explore new therapeutic areas beyond immuno-oncology.

Dr. Noam Solomon, CEO of Immunai, emphasized the significance of this latest collaboration, stating, "This agreement marks a turning point. We're showing that by modeling the immune system with high-resolution single-cell data and artificial intelligence, we are able to not just find new targets, but also understand why they matter."