Absci and Twist Bioscience Collaborate to Design a Novel Antibody with Generative AI

Absci Corporation and Twist Bioscience have announced a collaboration to create a novel therapeutic antibody, integrating Absci’s generative AI drug design platform with Twist’s silicon-based DNA synthesis technology. This partnership aims to enhance the precision and speed of antibody design by merging AI-based molecular prediction with high-fidelity DNA synthesis, focusing on a therapeutic candidate for an undisclosed biological target.

Absci’s generative AI platform, trained on c biological datasets, proposes potential antibody structures with optimized characteristics like binding affinity and stability. However, AI-predicted candidates require validation due to inherent model variability in practical applications.

Twist Bioscience’s silicon-based DNA synthesis utilizes Multiplexed Gene Fragments, which are double-stranded gene fragments up to 500 base pairs in length, delivered as pooled DNA instead of individual fragments in wells. Similar to the DropSynth method, this pooled format enables the synthesis of thousands of sequences in parallel. However, Twist’s technology focuses on producing high-quality, customizable fragments optimized for even representation across fragment lengths and GC content, making it particularly suited for targeted, high-throughput applications like antibody discovery, where precise and reliable variant quality is crucial.

In this collaboration, Absci’s AI designs antibody candidates, which Twist synthesizes for testing. This workflow integrates AI-driven design with Twist’s high-throughput synthesis, potentially streamlining the path from digital modeling to physical testing. Twist’s platform supports bulk generation of candidate variations, with scalability dependent on ongoing technology refinements.

Sean McClain, Founder & CEO of Absci, stated:

“Bringing together two leaders in biotechnology innovation represents an opportunity to accelerate pharmaceutical R&D. We are excited to strengthen our relationship with Twist and leverage the power of our shared platforms to bring better biologics to patients faster.”

Following synthesis, Absci and Twist plan to partner with a clinical developer to advance promising candidates through preclinical and clinical stages. Success beyond this phase will hinge on further testing, regulatory clearances, and partnership agreements.

See also: AbSci and Other AI-Powered Biotechs Lead the Way in Antibody Discovery

Absci’s partnerships with AstraZeneca, Merck, and research institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reflect its commitment to validating its generative AI in diverse biopharma applications. Twist’s DNA synthesis technology, with its broad synthetic biology and genomics applications, remains in exploratory use for antibody design.

Emily M. Leproust, CEO and cofounder of Twist Bioscience, remarked:

“We have been working with Absci for several years and look forward to extending our collaboration beyond a preferred supplier to leverage their AI platform along with Twist’s capabilities to discover antibodies to a key biological target that potentially impacts multiple disease areas.”

Topics: AI & Digital