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Top Stories of the Week
- Owkin expands into Western Europe
- EvolutionaryScales launches the most powerful biological model (ESM3)
- NVIDIA and Recursion conversation on AI for drug discovery
Owkin expands into Western Europe
Owkin, an AI-focused company in precision medicine, is making waves by expanding its platform into Germany, Austria, and Switzerland through nine dynamic partnerships. This exciting collaboration aims to revolutionize patient outcomes in three critical areas: prostate cancer, muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Owkin’s innovative BiomarkerPlus platform will pinpoint prostate cancer patients at high risk of disease progression. The cutting-edge TargetMatch tool will dive deep into patient data to predict treatment responses and uncover new therapies for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Meanwhile, TrialPlus will harness the power of machine learning to revolutionize clinical trial designs for cardiovascular disease.
But that’s not all—Owkin is also amplifying its MOSAIC network, set to create the world’s largest spatial omics dataset in oncology. Three of the nine new partners will join MOSAIC, boosting the total number of patient samples to an impressive 7,000 across seven cancer types. This groundbreaking collaboration with top-tier institutions aims to supercharge AI’s capability to meet individual patient needs like never before.
EvolutionaryScales launches the most powerful biological model (ESM3)
EvolutionaryScale, an AI research lab, has just unleashed ESM3, a groundbreaking AI model that can design entirely new proteins never seen before. In mere seconds, ESM3 accomplished what would take natural evolution 500 million years—creating a brand new Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields like drug discovery, material science, and carbon capture.
The team behind ESM3 also built ESM1, the first transformer language model for proteins. This model has been instrumental in protein folding research and is widely used by scientists around the world.
In an exciting move, EvolutionaryScale is releasing an open-source version of ESM3 for non-commercial use. To make this possible, they are partnering with tech giants like Amazon and Nvidia. This collaboration promises to open up new frontiers in biological research and innovation.
NVIDIA and Recursion conversation on AI for drug discovery
Last week, a thrilling conversation unfolded between NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Recursion CEO Chris Gibson, centering on the transformative power of AI in science. The key takeaway: the importance of embracing bold innovation in scientific fields.
NVIDIA, once just a graphics chip company, has metamorphosed into an AI powerhouse. Huang believes a similar revolution is sweeping through biology. Traditionally dominated by experimentation, the field is now rapidly embracing computational modeling and AI, fueled by cutting-edge technology.
Huang emphasized the necessity of calculated risk-taking. Just as revolutionary approaches transformed chip design, success in drug discovery might require breaking away from conventional methods. He stressed the importance of a long-term vision and a sense of purpose—principles that both NVIDIA and Recursion embody. Despite the uncertainties, both companies are united by their potential to make a significant impact.
The conversation culminated in highlighting the human element behind scientific pursuit. Recursion’s mission is driven by the urgency to help patients, highlighting the responsibility that comes with such advancements.
Key Takeaways
Excitement is brewing as AI powers forward across scientific domains!
- In precision medicine, Owkin’s AI platform is making waves as it expands across Europe, promising to enhance patient outcomes significantly.
- Meanwhile, EvolutionaryScale’s AI model is pushing the boundaries of protein research by designing new proteins, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery.
- A recent dialogue between NVIDIA and Recursion underscores AI’s pivotal role in biology. The conversation underscores the imperative for bold innovation, calculated risks, and a steadfast long-term vision. These elements are crucial in harnessing technological advancements to achieve tangible, life-changing results.