Lunai Bioworks Inc.’s subsidiary, BioSymetrics Inc., in partnership with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, has been granted a prestigious Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This collaboration aims to develop a cutting-edge platform that merges artificial intelligence with zebrafish screening to expedite drug discovery for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). With over 19 million Americans affected by AUD, this initiative not only targets the treatment of the disorder but also seeks to address its significant contribution to the development of various oncologic and neurologic conditions.

The STTR grant, a Phase I and Phase II initiative facilitated by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), has allocated a total of $1.85 million USD to support this groundbreaking project. The success of the Phase I milestones will determine the continuation of the funding, highlighting the importance of meeting key objectives in advancing AUD therapeutics.
Dr. Calum MacRae, the Vice Chair for Scientific Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, leads this collaborative effort. By combining AI-driven behavioral phenotyping with extensive drug screening models, the team aims to bridge the gap in therapeutic solutions for AUD.
Dr. Gabe Musso, the Chief Scientific Officer at BioSymetrics, emphasized the critical need for innovation in AUD therapeutics, citing the significant underservice in this area. The STTR award provides an opportunity to leverage their AI-based behavioral screening platform to address the pressing unmet needs in AUD treatment. The collaboration with Dr. MacRae’s team is set to translate intricate phenotypic insights into actionable drug candidates, potentially revolutionizing the landscape of AUD therapies.
The core of this project lies in integrating BioSymetrics’ machine learning tools with experimental phenotyping capabilities from Dr. MacRae’s laboratory. The ultimate goal is to establish a scalable engine for discovering AUD treatments and to identify novel small molecules that could pave the way for future therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Calum MacRae highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership, underlining the commitment to advancing precision therapeutics and reimagining the approach to treating complex human diseases. Drawing from their previous successes in zebrafish research related to cardiovascular and neurological disorders, this collaboration represents a significant step towards addressing addiction through innovative methodologies.
BioSymetrics, Lunai Bioworks’ biomedical AI subsidiary, is dedicated to developing scalable frameworks for data-driven therapeutic discovery, particularly in precision neurology and other high-impact disease areas. The integration of BioSymetrics’ data science infrastructure into Lunai’s overarching mission underscores the commitment to leveraging AI for accelerated and precise therapeutic discovery in critical healthcare domains.
David Weinstein, CEO of Lunai Bioworks, emphasized the natural alignment of this project with Lunai’s strategic approach, which focuses on harnessing AI and in vivo biology to expedite therapy identification in areas of substantial clinical demand. This collaborative endeavor not only signifies a significant step forward in AUD therapeutics but also underscores Lunai’s commitment to innovation at the intersection of AI and healthcare.
Lunai Bioworks Inc., renowned for its AI-driven drug discovery and biodefense initiatives, is at the forefront of generative biology, emphasizing safety and responsible innovation. With a strong emphasis on neurotoxicity datasets, advanced machine learning capabilities, and a dual-use risk management approach, Lunai exemplifies how AI can revolutionize therapeutic innovation while safeguarding society against emerging threats.
In conclusion, the collaboration between BioSymetrics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Lunai Bioworks Inc. represents a pivotal moment in the quest for advanced therapeutics to combat Alcohol Use Disorder. By merging cutting-edge AI technologies with innovative drug discovery methodologies, this project not only promises to address the unmet needs in AUD treatment but also sets a new standard for precision medicine in tackling complex diseases. The successful execution of this initiative could potentially pave the way for a new era of AI-powered solutions in healthcare, reshaping the landscape of therapeutic innovation.
Key Takeaways:
– The collaboration between BioSymetrics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Lunai Bioworks Inc. aims to revolutionize AUD therapeutics through AI-powered platforms.
– The project integrates AI-driven behavioral phenotyping with large-scale drug screening models to expedite the discovery of novel AUD treatments.
– This initiative underscores the commitment to precision medicine and innovative therapeutic approaches in addressing complex diseases.
– Lunai Bioworks Inc.’s strategic focus on AI and in vivo biology highlights a dedication to accelerating therapeutic discovery in critical healthcare areas.
– The successful execution of this project could set a new standard for AI-powered solutions in healthcare, reshaping the future of therapeutic innovation and precision medicine.
