Absci Corp.

AI biotech company Owkin announced a partnership with pharma giant AstraZeneca to develop an AI-powered tool designed to prescreen for gBRCA mutations (gBRCAm) in breast cancer directly from digitized pathology slides. According to Owkin, BRCA testing, which identifies mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, plays an important role in deciding a person's risk for developing certain cancers, notably breast and ovarian cancers. The aim of the tool is to speed up and increase access to gBRCS testing that some patients may not be considered for. The tool will utilize high-quality data from more than 6,500 whole slide images from resections and biopsies of almost 2,000 patients, half of which have the gBRCA mutation. Owkin works with Gustave Roussy and The Centre Léon Bérard through PortrAIt, a French consortium to expedite precision medicine via AI-enabled digital pathology. "We are excited to collaborate with AstraZeneca to bring the benefits of AI to BRCA testing with the gBRCA Pre-Screen solution," Dr. Thomas Clozel, CEO of Owkin, said in a statement. "During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's especially important to highlight how by streamlining the diagnostic process for determining BRCA mutation status, we can expand access to BRCA testing and identify more gBRCAm patients more rapidly. Our goal is to generate the best possible medical evidence through multiple clinical studies, making genetic testing more accessible and precise, and therefore reduce the inequity of care by allowing more patients to benefit from tailored care." According to Owkin, BRCA testing, which recognizes mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, plays a vital role in determining an individual's risk for developing certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. As a result, knowing the BRCA status of breast cancer patients is key to help identify familial risk and steer treatment options, including responses to targeted therapies. "On average, a woman with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation has up to a 7 in 10 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer by age 80," Kristina Rodnikova, head of global commercial diagnostics, oncology at AstraZeneca, said in a statement. "This collaboration with Owkin underscores our commitment to advancing precision medicine, helping address the unmet need and identifying patients at risk of harboring BRCA mutations to improve their outcomes.” THE LARGER TREND In 2021, Owkin scored a $180 million (€135 million) investment from pharma giant Sanofi. The two companies announced that they would work together on discovery and development initiatives for breast and lung cancer, as well as mesothelioma and multiple myeloma, with a total payment of $90 million (€79.7 million). In June, oncology-focused digital therapeutics company Mika Health partnered with AstraZeneca and Daiich Sankyo, for a project called "UNITE" to provide digital therapeutics to women undergoing breast cancer treatments. Mika Health's app gives cancer patients access to psychological support, with a goal of reducing disease-related anxiety, depression and stress. Patients can track side effects from their medications and receive medication reminders, obtain education and nutrition advice, and organize appointments. In 2023, Absci, an AI antibody-discovery technology company, entered into a $247 million partnership with pharma giant AstraZeneca, to focus on expediting the discovery of new cancer treatments using genAI technology. The project will utilize Absci's Integrated Drug Creation platform and AstraZeneca's oncology R&D knowledge.

Dr. Lloyd Minor and Prof Sir Menelas Pangalos bring significant scientific expertise and considerable experience in medicine research and developmentCAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) Board of Directors (the “Board”) today announced the appointments of two new independent directors, Lloyd B. Minor, M.D., effective October 1, 2024, and Sir Menelas (Mene) Pangalos, Ph.D., effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Minor is currently the Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at Stanford University, and Prof Sir Pangalos was most recently Executive Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca until his retirement in April 2024. “We welcome Lloyd and Mene to our Board as they add significant experience and proven track records in leading R&D in the life sciences and biopharmaceutical industries,” said Caroline Dorsa, Chair of the Biogen Board of Directors. “Lloyd and Mene will bring fresh perspectives and deep scientific knowledge to our efforts to bolster the company’s portfolio and achieve long-term, sustainable growth and positive outcomes for patients.” As Dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs at Stanford University, Dr. Minor has played an integral role in establishing strategy across the enterprise of Stanford Medicine, leading all health and medicine matters in research, clinical care and education at Stanford University, and driving the transformation of the future of life sciences at the university. Prior to his current role, he was Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, where he also previously served as the Andelot Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at the School of Medicine and as otolaryngologist-in-chief of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In 2012, Dr. Minor was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Minor has a Sc.B. from Brown University and received his M.D. from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is the chair of the board of directors of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, a new medical school being established in Bentonville, Arkansas. His other board and advisory activities include serving on the board of directors of Atrio Health Plans and Caris Life Sciences as well as advisory roles for Goldman Sachs and General Atlantic. Prof Sir Pangalos was previously Executive Vice President of Biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca. In this role, Prof Sir Pangalos was responsible for biopharmaceutical R&D from discovery through late-stage development, covering areas including cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurology. He joined AstraZeneca in 2010 as Executive Vice President of Early R&D and led the transformation of the company’s R&D productivity, as well as overseeing the creation of AstraZeneca’s new Global R&D Center in Cambridge, UK. He previously held senior R&D roles at Pfizer, Wyeth and GSK. Prof Sir Pangalos has a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Imperial College London and received his Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from University College London. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society of Biology and Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. He serves on the boards of The Francis Crick Institute, The Judge Business School, Cambridge University and Absci Corporation. “Lloyd and Mene bring research and development knowledge and industry experience to our Board that will be greatly additive as we continue to advance Biogen into its next chapter of sustainable growth,” said Christopher A. Viehbacher, Biogen President and Chief Executive Officer. “With their collective research expertise and success driving R&D transformation, they will make immediate and substantive contributions to Biogen as we continue to expand our portfolio. I look forward to working with them alongside the rest of our Board at this important moment for Biogen.” About BiogenFounded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patients’ lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media - Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube. Biogen Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements, including relating to: our strategy and plans; potential of, and expectations for, our commercial business and pipeline programs; capital allocation and investment strategy; and our future financial and operating results. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “prospect,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early-stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including: our dependence on sales from our products; uncertainty of long-term success in developing, licensing, or acquiring other product candidates or additional indications for existing products; failure to compete effectively due to significant product competition in the markets for our products; failure to successfully execute or realize the anticipated benefits of our strategic and growth initiatives; difficulties in obtaining and maintaining adequate coverage, pricing, and reimbursement for our products; our dependence on collaborators, joint venture partners, and other third parties for the development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of products and other aspects of our business, which are outside of our full control; the potential impact of the conflict in Ukraine; risks associated with current and potential future healthcare reforms; risks related to commercialization of biosimilars; failure to obtain, protect, and enforce our data, intellectual property, and other proprietary rights and the risks and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; the risk that positive results in a clinical trial may not be replicated in subsequent or confirmatory trials or success in early stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later stage or large scale clinical trials or trials in other potential indications; risks associated with clinical trials, including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis obtained during clinical trials, regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve or may delay approval of our drug candidates; the occurrence of adverse safety events, restrictions on use with our products, or product liability claims; risks relating to technology failures or breaches; problems with our manufacturing processes; risks relating to management and personnel changes, including attracting and retaining personnel; failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements; the risks of doing business internationally, including currency exchange rate fluctuations; risks relating to investment in our manufacturing capacity; risks relating to the distribution and sale by third parties of counterfeit or unfit versions of our products; risks relating to the use of social media for our business; results of operations, and financial condition; fluctuations in our operating results; risks related to investment in properties; the market, interest, and credit risks associated with our investment portfolio; risks relating to share repurchase programs; risks relating to access to capital and credit markets; risks related to indebtedness; change in control provisions in certain of our collaboration agreements; fluctuations in our effective tax rate; environmental risks; and any other risks and uncertainties that are described in other reports we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. MEDIA CONTACT:Jack Cox+ 1 781 464 3260public.affairs@biogen.com INVESTOR CONTACT:Chuck Triano+1 781 464 2442IR@biogen.com

AI has helped GSK identify a potential new use of its shingles vaccine for dementia prevention. GSK's Patrick Schwab on how AI and ML helped the company crunch data to link its shingles vaccine to dementia prevention usage As healthcare professionals grapple with the challenges of treating complex diseases, AI is offering new hope by accelerating research processes and uncovering unexpected applications for existing medications. At the forefront of this revolution are pharmaceutical giants such as GSK and AstraZeneca , who are harnessing AI to analyse vast datasets and identify promising drug candidates with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This is not only streamlining the drug development pipeline but also potentially reducing the astronomical costs associated with bringing new treatments to market. One of the most exciting developments in this field is the use of AI to repurpose existing drugs for new indications. For example, a recent study presented by GSK at the Alzheimer's Association's international conference in Philadelphia revealed that the company’s shingles vaccine, Shingrix, was associated with a 24% decrease in dementia risk. This finding, corroborated by a separate study from the University of Oxford, was made possible through the application of AI to a database of 100 million anonymised health records. AI 'able to crunch millions of healthcare data points' Patrick Schwab, GSK's Senior Director of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, explained the process to The Sunday Times: "With 100 million people's records, we're talking about terabytes of data." he added that the AI algorithm was able to adjust for nearly 400 variables, ensuring the results were not skewed by factors such as age, weight, and mental health. "This is uniquely possible because we used machine learning," Schwab explained. The implications of the discovery are far reaching. For decades,  scientists had believed there was a link between the herpes virus (which causes shingles) and Alzheimer's disease but the cost of clinical trials to prove the theory was prohibitive. AI, though, is cost-effective and is opening new avenues for Alzheimer's prevention and treatment. Similarly, AI is being used to investigate why diabetes medications might reduce the risk of Parkinson's and other degenerative diseases. This cross-disease analysis could lead to breakthroughs in treating multiple conditions with a single drug. The technology is also proving invaluable in salvaging seemingly failed drug candidates. GSK's Scott on how AI resurrected diabetes trial Robert Scott, GSK's Head of Genetics and Genomics also told the Sunday Times how AI analysis has reinvigorated a diabetes drug that had failed clinical trials. He explained how, by examining millions of data points, the company was able to identify eczema as a potential alternative application for the drug, and that this application is now in phase 2 trials. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s Jim Weatherall – VP of Data Science and AI – also speaking to the Sunday Times – tells how AI is reducing the risk associated with drug development. He said: "We end up doing fewer clinical trials with a greater probability of success." This increased efficiency could significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing new drugs to market.” AstraZeneca is partnering with AI research companies including Absci and Benevolent AI to accelerate drug discovery. Such collaborations leverage the technology’s ability to observe protein interactions in diseased cells and design molecules to combat specific conditions.