Latest news with #BigHat
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eli Lilly and BigHat Biosciences ink AI antibody discovery deal
Eli Lilly has signed a new research deal with BigHat Biosciences to co-develop next-generation antibody therapeutics, as the pharma company continues to expand its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug development. The agreement covers up to two antibody programmes, with BigHat responsible for the design and engineering of therapeutic antibodies using its proprietary Milliner platform. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The Milliner platform combines machine learning (ML) with a synthetic biology-based high-speed wet lab to address key challenges in antibody development. The technology is designed to optimise multiple antibody attributes simultaneously – including affinity, specificity, immunogenicity, and manufacturability – with the goal of accelerating the development of biologics with improved therapeutic profiles. As part of the agreement, Lilly is making an equity investment in BigHat and providing additional support through its Catalyze360 initiative. This includes backing BigHat's internal gastrointestinal (GI) cancer antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programme, which is expected to enter clinical trials in 2026. BigHat will retain full global rights and development control over the ADC. The deal represents a continued push by Lilly to expand its use of AI in drug discovery and development. In 2023, the company partnered with OpenAI to identify new antimicrobials targeting drug-resistant bacteria and announced a $409m deal in 2024 with Genetic Leap, focused on RNA-targeted therapies. This news was announced the same day (17 April) as high-profile results from Eli Lilly's oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) drug orforglipron, which sent the multibillion-dollar pharma company's shares to increase significantly. For BigHat, the collaboration with Lilly adds to a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships. The company has previously announced research collaborations with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) focused on neuroscience applications and with AbbVie in a deal that included a $30m upfront payment and up to $325m in milestones. The AI-driven company has also struck deals with MSD and Amgen. Founded in 2019, BigHat is advancing a pipeline of preclinical programmes across oncology and immunology. These include next-generation ADCs and functionally differentiated T-cell engagers (TCEs). In November 2024, BigHat acquired commercial licensing rights to Synaffix's site-specific ADC technology platform, which it is using in its lead GI cancer ADC programme. The programme is currently in the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling stage and is expected to become BigHat's first clinical candidate. 'Partnering with Lilly represents an exciting opportunity to harness the full potential of AI-driven biologic design,' said Peyton Greenside, CEO of BigHat, in the 17 April announcement. Many drug companies have begun using AI to streamline the drug development process. Speaking on a panel at the 2024 BIO CEO & Investor Conference in New York on 27 February 2024, BigHat's chief business officer Liz Schwarzbach said that AI can act as a 'toolkit' to expand what the industry can already do. According to a survey by GlobalData, the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology, AI is considered the most disruptive technology among businesses, including in the healthcare industry. "Eli Lilly and BigHat Biosciences ink AI antibody discovery deal" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BigHat Biosciences and Lilly Collaborate to Advance AI-Driven Antibody Therapeutics
Collaboration combines BigHat's AL/ML-powered Milliner™ platform with Lilly's expertise in drug discovery to develop high-quality next-generation antibodies. SAN MATEO, Calif., April 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BigHat Biosciences ("BigHat"), a biotechnology company with a machine learning (ML)-guided antibody discovery and development platform, announced a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly"). In this collaboration, BigHat will deploy its Milliner platform, a suite of state-of-the-art ML technologies integrated with a synthetic biology-based high-speed wet lab, to design and engineer therapeutic antibodies with superior functionality. BigHat and Lilly will collaborate to design and discover next-generation antibodies for up to two antibody therapeutic programs. This partnership aims to design, engineer, and develop antibodies with enhanced functionality and improved biophysical properties to create therapeutics that will benefit patients with chronic disease. "Partnering with Lilly represents an exciting opportunity to harness the full potential of AI-driven biologic design. By combining Lilly's deep expertise in drug discovery and development with BigHat's machine learning-powered Milliner platform, we can accelerate the advancement of truly differentiated, next-generation protein therapeutics," said Peyton Greenside, CEO and Co-founder of BigHat. This collaboration builds on BigHat's strategy to engage in value-generating strategic partnerships balanced with an exciting internal pipeline of proprietary therapeutics in the areas of oncology and immunology. BigHat's ML-powered platform is designed to tackle molecular engineering challenges and unlock the development of novel therapeutics for the improvement of patient outcomes. In addition to supporting the development of its partners' therapeutic programs, BigHat has built and advanced a pipeline of next-gen antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and functionally differentiated T-cell engagers (TCEs) across indications in both oncology and immunology. BigHat is advancing a next-generation ADC for GI cancers into the clinic in 2026. Lilly Catalyze360™ will provide support, while BigHat retains full global rights and control to the program. In addition to the antibody discovery collaboration and support for BigHat's ADC for GI cancers, Lilly will also make an equity investment in BigHat. This collaboration is part of the Lilly Catalyze360™ model, which is a comprehensive approach to empower early-stage biotech startups across all therapeutic areas by providing access to funding as well as world-class lab space and/or drug development talent and resources through its three pillars: Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs®, and Lilly ExploR&D. About BigHat Biosciences BigHat Biosciences designs safer, more effective biologic therapies for patients using machine learning and synthetic biology. BigHat integrates a wet lab for high-speed characterization with machine learning technologies to guide the search for better antibodies and applies these design capabilities to develop new generations of safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from today's most challenging diseases. BigHat Biosciences is a preclinical-stage drug discovery company that uses machine learning and synthetic biology to design safer, more effective antibodies for patients. We are a Series B-stage biotech outside San Francisco with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. We have a pipeline of wholly-owned and partnered programs in therapeutic areas with high unmet need, such as cancer and inflammation. BigHat has raised >$100M from top investors, including Section 32, a16z, and 8VC. View source version on Contacts BigHat Biosciences Elizabeth Schwarzbachpartnering@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police celebrates 90th anniversary
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) —The Arkansas State Police (ASP) is marking 90 years since its establishment as the state's primary law enforcement agency. On Mar. 19, 1935, Governor J.M. Futrell and the Arkansas General Assembly approved Act 120, creating the ASP. Initially composed of 13 officers, the agency was tasked with enforcing traffic laws and newly enacted liquor regulations. Over time, its responsibilities expanded to include criminal investigations and highway patrol. 1948 – ASP established separate divisions for highway patrol and criminal investigations. 1957 – The agency expanded under Governor Orval Faubus, increasing its presence across the state. 1967 – ASP hired its first African American officer, Marion Taylor, and engaged in efforts to enforce state laws in Hot Springs, where illegal gambling had persisted. 1975 – Barbara Cart became the agency's first female officer, and ASP integrated computerized records into its operations. 1980s-1990s – The agency expanded its drug enforcement initiatives, including a marijuana eradication program and drug interdiction units. 2019 – ASP was placed under the newly formed Arkansas Department of Public Safety as part of Act 910. Today, ASP operates as a division within the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, with nearly 1,000 officers and civilian employees. The agency remains responsible for law enforcement efforts across the state, including highway safety and criminal investigations. University of Arkansas issues measles advisory amid U.S. surge Since its founding, ASP has contributed to a decline in traffic fatality rates, from 24 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 1934 to two per 100 million miles by 2001, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. 'We want to honor and thank all of the men and women – past and present – who have proudly worn the badge and Big Hat in selfless service to the citizens of our great state,' ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said in a news release. 'Here's to many more wonderful years ahead for YOUR ARKANSAS STATE POLICE!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
