Bridge Biotherapeutics said that it would partner up with Atomwise, a U.S. drug development firm, to develop new drug candidates by using artificial intelligence (AI).

Under the accord, the two companies will apply Atomwise's AI technology to Bridge Biotherapeutics' R&D know-how on a variety of target proteins, and will quickly identify candidates that are likely to turn out to be innovative new drugs. Atomwise will receive upfront payments, milestones and royalties from Bridge Biotherapeutics, depending on the success of each research project, the Korean company said.

The two firms expect that the cooperation will help quickly discover new candidates for diseases with high unmet medical needs in the field of pellino inhibitors under development by Bridge Biotherapeutics.

They will also collaborate on assessing the interaction between pellino proteins and new candidates. Afterward, they will expand the targeting Pelino and other proteins in various diseases.

Bridge Biotherapeutics has the experience in the field as it has developed BBT-401, a first-in-class pellino-1 inhibitor candidate. BBT-401 targets pellino-1, the protein mediating the myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MYD88), which activates nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) pathways triggering inflammation. Pellino-1 engages with multiple inflammatory signaling pathways.

The company is now conducting phase 2 clinical trials for the drug in treating ulcerative colitis patients in the U.S.

“Atomwise’s leading AI technology and its team of experts will help us unlock opportunities to discover new drug candidates with exciting targets, Bridge Biotherapeutics CEO Lee Jung-kue said. “Our partnership with Atomwise will give us a competitive edge to build and expand an innovative first-in-class portfolio, upon our rich experience in pellino-1 inhibitor development.”

Atomwise CEO Abraham Heifets also said, "We are pleased to be working with Bridge Biotherapeutics, who has extensive experience in the industry."

The company has been impressed by their ability to consistently bring new therapies to the clinic and develop partnerships worldwide, and is looking forward to a productive and long-term relationship, Heifets added.

corea022@docdocdoc.co.kr

<© Korea Biomedical Review, All rights reserved.>