Accenture bets on 1910 Genetics to accelerate AI drug discovery

Accenture has recently announced a strategic investment in 1910 Genetics, a Boston-based biotechnology company that specializes in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and biological automation to expedite drug discovery processes. This investment is part of Accenture Ventures’ ongoing commitment to foster innovation in the life sciences sector, especially in collaboration with emerging biotech companies. Accenture aims to leverage 1910 Genetics’ unique AI-driven approach to disrupt the conventional trial-and-error model of drug discovery.

Founded in 2021, 1910 Genetics is transforming drug discovery through an impressive suite of proprietary AI tools that significantly cut down the time and cost associated with drug development. By integrating computational, biological, and laboratory automation data, the company is addressing some of the most challenging therapeutic areas, including neurological diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cancer. The start-up has already attracted high-profile investors such as Microsoft’s M12 Fund, Playground Global, and FoundersX, further validating its cutting-edge technology platform.

A Deep Dive into the AI-Driven Platforms of 1910 Genetics

1910 Genetics uses two drug discovery engines, ELVIS and ROSALYND, to develop both small molecules and protein therapeutics. This dual capability is a key differentiator in the AI drug discovery space. The ELVIS platform deploys several AI tools, such as SUEDE and BAGEL, for virtual screening and generative chemistry, respectively. For instance, SUEDE screens up to 14 billion molecules in just under six hours, vastly outperforming traditional screening methods, which can take months and have a significantly lower success rate. Additionally, ROSALYND is aimed at protein therapeutics, using a combination of machine learning, quantum chemistry, and big data to advance potential drug candidates faster and with greater efficacy.

With this robust technology, 1910 Genetics has already demonstrated its potential by rapidly developing small-molecule candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company screened billions of compounds to identify molecules that could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. Dr. Jen Nwankwo, Founder and CEO of 1910 Genetics, emphasized that the company’s vision is to “build a biopharmaceutical company from the ground up with AI,” highlighting the need for biology-first innovation rather than retrofitting existing drug development models with new technologies.

Accenture’s Vision for AI-Powered Drug Discovery

Accenture’s investment in 1910 Genetics aligns with its broader vision of transforming biopharma R&D through technology and innovation. Petra Jantzer, Ph.D., Accenture’s Life Sciences global lead, mentioned that AI, combined with sophisticated biological modeling, is crucial for the development of more effective therapeutics, especially in personalized medicine. Accenture aims to utilize 1910 Genetics’ capabilities to enhance its offerings in in-silico drug discovery, a method that uses computer simulations to predict biological interactions, thereby accelerating the development of individualized treatments.

This investment follows similar moves by Accenture, including a previous stake in Ocean Genomics, another AI-focused drug discovery start-up. This demonstrates Accenture’s growing footprint in advancing the ‘New Science’—a combination of health, technology, and AI that is expected to drive more than 80% of future biopharma revenue growth.

The Impact on Biopharma and Beyond

The biopharma industry has increasingly shifted toward precision medicine, seeking to leverage AI and other advanced technologies to develop treatments tailored to individual patient profiles. Accenture’s partnership with 1910 Genetics will likely play a significant role in advancing this trend, particularly by focusing on so-called “undruggable” targets—diseases that have so far eluded effective treatments due to their complex biology. With its integrated AI platforms and high-throughput lab automation, 1910 Genetics is well-positioned to tackle these challenges head-on.

This collaboration also signals a broader trend of technology companies increasingly intersecting with biotech. With high-profile backers like Microsoft, 1910 Genetics stands as an example of how AI and cloud technologies can be applied to fundamentally change drug discovery. The combination of Accenture’s consulting expertise and 1910 Genetics’ pioneering technology has the potential to significantly speed up drug R&D timelines, reducing costs, and ultimately bringing life-saving treatments to market more quickly.

Industry Analysts’ Viewpoint

Industry analysts have noted that the biopharma sector is in the midst of a digital transformation, where investments like these are key to driving future growth. The capabilities of 1910 Genetics to integrate computational chemistry, robotics-driven wet labs, and multimodal AI models into a cohesive drug discovery process have been highlighted as revolutionary. Accenture, by partnering with and investing in such emerging companies, is not only expanding its technological reach but is also contributing to reshaping the global biopharmaceutical landscape.

Transforming Biopharma with AI

With Accenture’s support, 1910 Genetics is expected to fast-track its ambitious goal of making “undruggable” targets a thing of the past. The strategic partnership is a testament to the power of combining advanced AI models, biological automation, and consulting expertise to solve some of the most pressing challenges in drug discovery. As biopharma companies continue to navigate a rapidly changing technological landscape, collaborations like these will be instrumental in ushering in a new era of personalized and effective medical treatments.