Latest Trends in Tech Bio Innovation

Marina Lamanaou, PhD in molecular biology, covers recent advancements in AI/ML for drug discovery and biomanufacturing. Here are the key highlights:

1. Insilico Medicine Completes Patient Enrollment:
Insilico Medicine has finished enrolling patients for its Phase IIa study in China for INS018_055, targeting Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The primary goal is to assess safety and tolerability over 12 weeks compared to placebo. A Phase IIb proof-of-concept study is planned for 2025.

2. AI’s Role in Drug Discovery:
Despite advancements, AI alone cannot simplify drug discovery. Validation through wet-lab biology and translational models is essential.

3. Formation Bio Secures $372M:
Formation Bio, focusing on AI-driven drug development, has raised $372M in a Series D round led by Andreessen Horowitz. Other investors include Sanofi, Sequoia, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

4. AI in Drug Discovery Market Growth:
The market size for AI in drug discovery is projected to reach $11.93 billion by 2033. North America currently holds a 56.18% market share, with significant growth expected in the APAC region.

5. SilicoGenesis Developments:
Founded in 2019, SilicoGenesis specializes in AI-enabled antibody engineering. They offer a cloud-based platform, Eve, and an open-source Python library, Protkit. Recent collaborations include projects with KU Leuven for thrombosis research and a major European pharma for affinity maturation.

6. FabricNano Innovations:
FabricNano, established in 2018 in London, transforms industrial chemical processes through cell-free biomanufacturing. They partner with companies like Sumitomo Chemical and Ginkgo Bioworks. Backed by Atomico and Hoxton VC, they have raised $22.6M.

7. Omnivore: The Read-it-Later App:
Omnivore is an open-source app for saving and reading articles, newsletters, and documents later. It allows for note-taking, highlights, and organization across devices.

8. cfdx in Stealth Mode:
Founded in 2023 in London, cfdx applies liquid biopsy techniques to neurodegenerative diseases. Co-founders are Hannah Thompson, PhD, and Jonathan Wan.

9. StoneWise AI Capabilities:
Beijing-based StoneWise uses AI for molecule generation and property prediction. Their platform, StoneMIND®, aids in knowledge extraction and molecular design, supporting drug discovery through high-throughput screening and optimization.

10. Krarup Analytics:
A Copenhagen-based single-person company, Krarup Analytics focuses on linking analytics to competitiveness.

11. Recursion Pharmaceuticals:
Recursion, headquartered in Utah, leads in digital biology with a high-throughput wet-lab and ML platform. They have significant collaborations with Bayer and Roche and have raised over $665M. Their new supercomputer, BioHive-2, is a significant advancement in AI-driven drug discovery.

12. MOLLEO: Evolutionary Search Over Chemical Space:
Researchers have improved evolutionary algorithms for molecular discovery by integrating Large Language Models (LLMs), enhancing optimization and reducing evaluation needs.

13. Tierra Biosciences:
Founded in 2015, Tierra Biosciences accelerates bio-based material discovery with its AI-driven Tierra Protein Platform. They offer custom protein synthesis from digital sequences, developed initially at Caltech.