Insilico claims major victory as AI outperforms big pharma in early drug R&D

pharmaphorum | September 04, 2019

Hong Kong’s Insilico Medicine has found a way to use AI and deep learning to design, synthesise and validate a novel drug candidate in 46 days – 15 times faster than the best pharma companies. A new scientific paper published in Nature Biotechnology said that the company used cutting-edge AI and deep learning techniques of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) for drug discovery and biomarker development. Insilico Medicine was the first to use GANs to generate novel molecules in 2016 and since then has spent two years developing ways to combine the techniques for drug development. These efforts have now been used to design a novel DDR1 kinase inhibitor from scratch in 21 days, then to synthesise and pre-clinically validate it in 25 days. AI is increasingly being used in drug R&D, with companies such as BenevolentAI, Exscientia in the UK, and US-based Google DeepMind and Berg becoming involved. GANs are specialised algorithms that create synthetic datasets that are indistinguishable from real datasets, by having two neural networks that compete against each other. One neural network generates the data and the other compares it to a real data set in iterative cycles so that the degree of error in the synthetic data set is gradually decreased.

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Curia Collaborates with Corning to Advance Biopharmaceutical Continuous-Flow Development and Manufacturing Programs

Globenewswire | March 24, 2023

Curia, a leading contract research, development and manufacturing organization, today announced a collaboration with Corning Incorporated to expand and accelerate continuous-flow development and manufacturing programs for the chemical and biopharmaceutical industries globally. The collaboration with Corning’s Advanced-Flow™ Reactor (AFR) team includes the first installation of Corning’s G1 production system, designed for the continuous industrial production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Continuous flow chemistry is critical for the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs, and provides advantages compared with traditional batch processing. It is an inherently safer technology that delivers faster and more robust material production with a higher selectivity of desired products. “Innovation in drug development and production calls for safety at high speed,” said Christopher Conway, president, Research & Development, Curia. “The implementation of Corning’s G1 Production Reactor at our Albany facility expands our capability to provide scalable solutions that address complex development and manufacturing requirements facing the pharmaceutical industry. Using advanced technology and standardized workflows, Curia offers continuous flow chemistry from targeted development to commercial scale globally.” The G1 production reactor includes an updated set of dosing lines and controls that enable continuous operations and compliance to cGMP standards. “Collaborating with an innovation-focused company like Curia will help drive advancements in the chemical-processing industry,” said Alessandra Vizza, business director, Corning Advanced-Flow Reactors. “The implementation of Corning’s G1 production system can deliver a host of benefits. The system is an inherently safer technology that will help Curia reduce time to market with higher-quality chemical and API processing, increased efficiency of chemical and API synthesis, and lower production costs.” “Additionally, the space-saving, energy-conserving, and waste-reducing benefits of Corning’s AFR Technology may help customers reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing business – a key attribute as the field continues to gain momentum in the U.S. and around the world,” said Vizza. Curia’s expertise and global network of facilities, combined with Corning’s continuous flow technology, can help drive business efficiencies and, ultimately, improve patients’ lives. About Curia Curia is a leading contract research, development, and manufacturing organization providing products and services from R&D through commercial manufacturing to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical customers. Curia’s nearly 4,000 employees at 29 locations across the U.S., Europe, and Asia help its customers advance from curiosity to cure.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH

Hovione and Ripple Enter Strategic Partnership to Expand Epidel® Platform into Non-Ophthalmic Space

Hovione | March 21, 2023

Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO, leader in spray drying and particle engineering, and Ripple Therapeutics, a leading ophthalmic sustained drug delivery company, have entered a strategic partnership to expand the use of Ripple's Epidel® platform beyond ophthalmic applications. The core feature of Ripple's Epidel® technology is the ability to deliver sustained-release pharmaceuticals with surface erosion release kinetics without the use of polymers or excipients. This enables higher drug loading, smaller size implants, defined and predictable biocompatible degradation products with straightforward and scalable manufacturing processes. Surface erosion-based drug release provides a highly effective way to control dose and duration. By incorporating Ripple's Epidel® platform into its toolbox, Hovione can expand its portfolio of novel drug delivery solutions to the pharmaceutical industry. "The combination of technology synergy, innovative vision and cultural fit makes collaborating with Hovione an exciting next step in the advancement of the Epidel® platform beyond the ophthalmic field," stated Dr. Wendy Naimark, Ripple co-founder and Chief Technology Officer. "Hovione's expertise in controlled, sustained drug delivery, along with their experience in chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing, makes for a great partnership." "We are thrilled to partner with Ripple, who developed a state-of-the-art platform for sustained release," says Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's CEO. " Our shared goal is to accelerate and broaden the access to this highly innovative and enabling technology for the benefit of our pharmaceutical customers and their patients worldwide." By extending the use of the Epidel® platform beyond ocular applications, this partnership will enable the development of a diverse range of new products with optimal sustained release profiles. About Hovione Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices. Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards. About Ripple Therapeutics Ripple Therapeutics Corporation is a clinical stage, privately held company that is focused on ophthalmic therapeutics with controllable, sustainable drug delivery. The core feature of Ripple's Epidel™ technology is the ability to engineer sustained-release pharmaceuticals with surface erosion release kinetics without the use of polymers or excipients. Ripple's novel therapeutics provide for better outcomes for patients, easier management of care for physicians and lower costs for payors. Ripple has a full product pipeline in development.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH

Cambrex Announces the Acquisition of Snapdragon Chemistry

Cambrex | January 24, 2023

Cambrex, a renowned global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) offering drug substance, product, and analytical services throughout the drug lifecycle, recently announced the completion of its acquisition of Snapdragon Chemistry, a US-based provider of chemical process development services to a diverse range of emerging and established biopharma customers. Snapdragon Chemistry specializes in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) batch and continuous flow processes, employing cutting-edge automated technology and proprietary equipment to address complicated process and analytical development challenges. With its headquarters for R&D and manufacturing in Waltham, Massachusetts, Snapdragon's 70+ employees, including 31 Ph.D. scientists, have strong ties to the local scientific community. Cambrex's CEO Tom Loewald commented, "Today, we welcome our new colleagues from Snapdragon to Cambrex." He added, "With Snapdragon's depth of scientific expertise in API process development, I'm certain our customers will see the benefits of this combination and be delighted to work with Snapdragon's team." (Source – PR Newswire) Cambrex's portfolio of specialized pharmaceutical development and manufacturing solutions continues to grow, with Snapdragon reinforcing its experience in continuous flow production in addition to augmenting the recent investments in continuous flow process development capabilities at its North Carolina facility in High Point. Snapdragon's CEO Matt Bio said, "I am extremely proud of what our team at Snapdragon has built over the years." He further added, "With Cambrex, we have found an ideal home for our customers and employees, and I look forward to continued success as part of Cambrex." (Source – PR Newswire) About Cambrex Founded in 1981, Cambrex is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers drug substances, products, and analytical services throughout the drug lifecycle. It provides a variety of specialized medicinal substance technologies and capabilities, such as controlled substances, biocatalysis, continuous flow, material characterization, solid-state science, stability storage and testing, and potent APIs. Cambrex is a trusted partner in the branded and generic markets for the development and manufacturing of API and finished dosage forms. With over 40 years of experience, it has a growing workforce of over 2,300 specialists serving global clients from North America and Europe.

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