VantAI, a company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) for programmable protein interactions, and Halda Therapeutics, a clinical-stage oncology firm, have initiated a significant research collaboration valued at over $1 billion. This collaboration aims to expedite the discovery and development of proximity-based therapies targeting cancer and immunology indications. The agreement encompasses several components, including initial payments, research assistance, milestone payments linked to successful development and commercialization, as well as royalties based on sales, with opportunities for further expansion of the partnership.
VantAI will utilize its Neo-1 foundation model and NeoLink high-throughput structural proteomics platform in this collaboration. These tools will aid in the identification and validation of novel target-effector pairs tailored to Halda’s Regulated Induced Proximity Targeting Chimeras (RIPTAC) development pipeline. Dysfunction in protein interactions and pathways is highlighted as a common factor across various diseases by Zachary Carpenter, PhD, VantAI’s CEO, who believes that proximity-based therapies offer a promising approach to addressing a wide range of diseases.
The NeoLink platform employs cross-linking mass spectrometry (XLMS) to bridge gaps in protein interaction data. On the other hand, Neo-1 is a latent diffusion model capable of generating small molecules that stabilize protein interactions by co-folding two protein sequences. This programmable model can perform multiple functions, including molecular generation, protein design, and structure prediction. Originating from Roivant Sciences in New York in 2023, VantAI has already established partnerships with prominent entities like Janssen (J&J), Blueprint Medicines, and Bristol Myers Squibb to explore novel targets through proximity mechanisms.
VantAI’s approach stands out from traditional modalities like antibodies, which primarily target cell surface proteins representing only a fraction of the human proteome. By designing therapeutic protein interactions, VantAI introduces new functionalities for fighting diseases. Molecular glues, for instance, can induce protein-protein interactions, leading to various functional outcomes such as regulating enzymatic activity, protein degradation, or cellular signaling. The evolution of proximity-based therapeutics began with PROTAC degraders two decades ago and has now progressed to Halda’s RIPTAC oncology platform, representing the second wave of this drug class.
The RIPTAC platform employs a heterobifunctional small molecule strategy to form a stable complex between a target protein specific to tumor cells and a crucial protein for cell survival. This interaction results in the selective elimination of cancer cells by disrupting essential protein functions. Halda will identify targets in oncology and immunology, while VantAI will determine effector proteins capable of achieving desired therapeutic outcomes, such as inducing apoptosis in cancer scenarios. Carpenter envisions a future where scientists can systematically rewire protein interactions, providing unprecedented control in biology.
Takeaways:
– The collaboration between VantAI and Halda Therapeutics aims to advance proximity-based therapies for cancer and immunology indications.
– VantAI’s Neo-1 foundation model and NeoLink structural proteomics platform play crucial roles in identifying novel target-effector pairs.
– The RIPTAC platform by Halda represents the next generation of proximity-based therapeutics, targeting specific proteins to induce selective cell death in cancer.
– This partnership highlights the potential of AI and structural proteomics in revolutionizing drug discovery and development in the biotech industry.
Tags: biotech, mass spectrometry
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