AstraZeneca invests $18 million in Immunai’s AI technology

AstraZeneca has struck an $18 million deal with biotechnology firm Immunai Inc. to use its AI model of the immune system, which is intended to improve the efficiency of specific cancer drug trials. This collaboration aligns with AstraZeneca’s broader strategy to harness artificial AI for drug discovery and development, building on a previous $247 million agreement with US-based Absci to create cancer-fighting antibodies.

Founded in 2018, Immunai utilises single-cell genomics and machine learning to decode the immune system and enhance the development of new therapeutics. This collaboration will concentrate on optimising clinical decision-making processes, including dose selection and biomarker identification, by leveraging Immunai’s advanced platform.

AstraZeneca will initially gain access to Immunai’s AI tools to support its cancer research efforts, with the option to extend the collaboration down the line. This flexibility allows AstraZeneca to evaluate the effectiveness of Immunai’s technology in enhancing drug trial efficiency and potentially integrate additional capabilities as the partnership progresses. According to Iker Huerga, AstraZeneca’s chief data scientist for oncology R&D, this collaboration is expected to provide valuable insights into the immune system and improve clinical decision-making processes, such as dose selection and biomarker identification. The partnership underscores AstraZeneca’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to advance cancer treatment and drug development.