AI Proteins Announces Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb for Miniprotein Therapeutics Worth Up to $400 Million

AI Proteins, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in the computational design of therapeutic miniproteins, announced a research collaboration and option agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY). The partnership aims to discover and develop novel miniprotein-based therapeutics using AI Proteins' advanced discovery platform.

Founded in late 2021, AI Proteins focuses on designing de novo miniproteins with desirable therapeutic properties, combining elements of synthetic biology, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence. The company’s technology enables development of miniproteins that are highly specific, stable, and potentially cost-effective, with the flexibility for a variety of administration routes. AI Proteins is advancing its own pipeline in oncology and exploring broader applications through partnerships in inflammation, metabolic diseases, and other areas.

AI Proteins’ discovery process integrates in silico design, yeast and phage display, automated production, and deep saturation mutagenesis to optimize miniproteins with drug-like properties.

AI Proteins's pipeline, reportedly able to engineer miniproteins ready for preclinical developments in 3-12 weeks

Chris Bahl, Ph.D., President, Chief Scientific Officer, and Founder of AI Proteins, said:

“We are looking forward to collaborating with Bristol Myers Squibb to apply our protein design technology to new therapeutic targets. By integrating our expertise in de novo protein engineering with Bristol Myers Squibb’s deep pharmaceutical knowledge, we aim to create a new class of targeted therapies that could improve patient outcomes.”

Under the agreement, AI Proteins will use its AI-driven platform to design and optimize miniproteins for two undisclosed therapeutic targets. These miniproteins, characterized by their small size and high affinity, aim to address limitations of traditional antibody-based therapies by offering improved tissue penetration and faster clearance.

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Bristol Myers Squibb holds an option for an exclusive worldwide license to these miniproteins and may expand the agreement to include two additional targets for an expansion fee. The deal includes potential development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments of up to $400 million, along with royalties on net sales of any resulting products.

AI Proteins' current product portfolio

The partnership builds on AI Proteins’ broader strategy of leveraging collaborations to validate its miniprotein technology across multiple therapeutic areas. By combining modularity, stability, and affordability, the company claims its miniproteins may offer a versatile therapeutic modality for targets traditionally considered challenging.

Cover image: AI Proteins

Topics: Novel Therapeutics