Absci and AMD collaborate to transform AI-driven drug discovery

Absci Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) have unveiled a strategic collaboration designed to revolutionise drug discovery through artificial intelligence (AI). The partnership includes a $20 million equity investment from AMD, further cementing Absci’s position as a leader in AI-enabled biopharmaceutical innovation. By integrating AMD’s high-performance computing solutions, the collaboration is set to enhance Absci’s proprietary AI platforms and accelerate the discovery of next-generation biologics.

AMD Investment Drives AI Drug Discovery Forward

The $20 million investment, structured as a private investment in public equity (PIPE), underscores AMD’s confidence in Absci’s Integrated Drug Creation platform. Absci’s unique approach combines AI with scalable wet lab technologies, enabling simultaneous optimisation of drug characteristics critical to therapeutic success. This integrated system allows Absci to transition from AI-designed candidates to validated biologics in as little as six weeks, drastically reducing traditional timelines.

Through this partnership, Absci will deploy AMD Instinct accelerators and ROCm software to power its most demanding workloads, including the advanced de novo antibody design models that form the backbone of its drug discovery efforts. AMD’s technology is expected to enhance the efficiency and scalability of Absci’s operations while lowering infrastructure costs and improving turnaround times.

Expert Insights On The Collaboration

Sean McClain, Founder and CEO of Absci, highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership. He noted that AMD’s commitment to providing innovative, high-performance AI solutions would empower Absci to further its mission of creating better biologics for patients, faster. McClain pointed out that AMD’s advanced computing systems would directly support the development of new antibody therapeutics, enabling breakthroughs in complex biological modeling.

Mark Papermaster, AMD’s Chief Technology Officer, described the collaboration as a natural alignment between AMD’s cutting-edge hardware and software solutions and Absci’s pioneering work in AI-driven drug discovery. Papermaster emphasised AMD’s dedication to enabling breakthroughs in biopharma through its advanced computing platforms.

Redefining The Future Of Biopharma

The strategic collaboration not only advances Absci’s capabilities but also reflects broader industry trends in AI adoption for drug development. With biopharmaceutical companies increasingly seeking ways to streamline discovery processes, AI offers the potential to reduce costs, improve success rates, and deliver therapeutics faster.

Absci’s proprietary IgDesign1 model, the first in vitro validated inverse folding model for antibody design, exemplifies how AI is unlocking solutions to previously insurmountable challenges in biologics innovation. The integration of AMD’s accelerators will enable Absci to expand the capabilities of this model and further refine its approach to antibody discovery.

Industry Implications And Broader Context

This partnership highlights AMD’s strategic entry into the biopharma space, showcasing the versatility of its computing solutions in addressing complex scientific challenges. For Absci, the collaboration represents an opportunity to scale its operations and solidify its role as a key innovator in AI-driven drug discovery.

The collaboration will be showcased at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 15, 2025. Absci plans to present real-world applications of AMD’s Instinct accelerators and how they are powering advancements in biologics discovery, positioning the partnership as a potential model for future collaborations between AI and biopharma leaders.

A New Era Of AI In Drug Development

As the pharmaceutical industry embraces AI, partnerships like this underscore the transformative potential of combining advanced computing with innovative drug discovery platforms. Absci and AMD are not only driving scientific progress but also setting a precedent for how technology can reshape the future of healthcare.