Turbine, a Hungary-based developer of AI-driven cell simulations, has entered a research collaboration with MSD (Merck in the US and Canada) to simulate cancer patient populations that are challenging to treat and study in laboratory settings.
The collaboration aims to identify novel dependencies in the specified cancer patient populations, potentially leading to new treatment options.
It will use Turbine’s Simulated Cells to create virtual tumour models that accurately reflect disease subtypes difficult to study in pre-clinical experiments.
The approach seeks to uncover novel dependencies in resistant tumour populations.
Also, it guides MSD’s experimental efforts to validate drug targets, biomarkers, and combination therapies.
The agreement will be initially active for one year, and MSD holds the option for multi-year access to Turbine’s virtual lab and proprietary tumour models.
The collaboration promises to enhance the understanding of cancer biology and accelerate the discovery of effective therapies.
Turbine chief scientific officer Daniel Veres said: “Millions of cancer patients are fighting forms of the disease for which no lab-based model exists today.
“Unconstrained by the physical limitations of lab-based tumour models, the promise of Simulated Cells is to mimic the biology of disease in patients and open new paths to treat them.
“It’s great to get a chance to make this possible with an organization committed to rethinking the R&D process with AI.”
Turbine’s AI technology enables the virtualisation of experiments, facilitating faster and smarter identification of therapeutic ideas.
By simulating cellular and tissue behaviour under treatment, Turbine helps pharmaceutical companies design more efficient trials and reducing research time.
The platform has been validated through partnerships with companies like AstraZeneca and Bayer and supports nearly 30 research programmes.
Turbine is backed by Accel and the MSD Global Health Innovation Fund.
Last month, MSD agreed to acquire UK-based biopharmaceutical company Verona Pharma for about $10bn to enhance its portfolio.
