Elix, Inc. and Axcelead Drug Discovery Partners, Inc. have entered into a collaborative research agreement aimed at the discovery of novel targeted protein degraders (TPDs).
Elix is an AI drug discovery company that develops and provides Elix Discovery, an integrated AI drug discovery platform. Using multiple molecular generative models, including proprietary in-house technologies, Elix designs novel molecules while incorporating the expertise of medicinal chemists. In addition, the company applies its drug discovery AI technologies and project experience to collaborative research and technology development with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Axcelead DDP supports a broad range of drug discovery organizations through a continuously evolving drug discovery platform inherited from a major pharmaceutical company, comprising researchers, technologies, facilities, and proprietary drug discovery data. In addition to internal development efforts, the company enhances its platform through strategic external partnerships. By combining extensive drug discovery expertise with its proprietary AI platform, Axcelead DDP is committed to rapidly generating high-quality novel drug candidate compounds.
Elix and Axcelead DDP will leverage their complementary strengths in TPD research to develop innovative technologies for addressing challenging drug targets that have been difficult to tackle using conventional drug discovery approaches. Specifically, the companies will jointly develop new AI technologies for drug discovery by combining Axcelead DDP’s molecular structure information, assay data and drug discovery expertise, with Elix’s AI-based molecular design and predictive technologies.
By applying these newly developed models to Axcelead DDP’s TPD research platform, the companies aim to improve drug discovery efficiency and increase the probability of success. Based on the technologies and insights generated through this collaboration, the companies intend to develop new solutions that will support the drug discovery activities of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide.
“We are delighted to initiate this collaborative research with Axcelead DDP to create novel targeted protein degraders,” said Shinya Yuki, CEO and co-founder of Elix.
“To maximise the value of AI in drug discovery, it is essential to closely integrate the use of AI for prediction and generative molecular design with experimental validation, while rapidly feeding the resulting data back into the next design cycle. By combining Elix’s AI drug discovery technologies with Axcelead DDP’s extensive expertise and experimental capabilities, we aim to develop new approaches for TPD drug discovery and expand the possibilities of addressing targets that have been difficult to pursue using conventional methodologies.”
“We are pleased to enter into this collaborative research agreement with Elix, a leading AI drug discovery company,” said Kengo Okada, representative director, president and CEO of Axcelead DDP.
“Elix has established a highly regarded AI drug discovery platform and possesses extensive experience and expertise in targeted protein degrader drug discovery – one of the most promising next-generation small-molecule modalities. By integrating Axcelead DDP’s proprietary drug discovery data and expertise in assay development with Elix’s advanced AI capabilities, we believe we can provide new solutions for our clients. Through strategic partnerships with companies possessing cutting-edge technologies, Axcelead DDP will continue to contribute to the creation of innovative medicines.”