Beyond human imagination: Artificial intelligence creates highly effective antibodies

In the heart of South London's once bustling biscuit factory, a remarkable transformation is underway. Instead of the familiar whirring of industrial ovens and mixers, the space now hums with the activity of robotic arms, DNA sequencing machines, and incubators.

This is the domain of LabGenius, a visionary company led by James Field, dedicated to pioneering an AI-powered paradigm shift in medical antibody engineering.

Unleashing the power of AI on antibody design

In the intricate realm of disease-fighting antibodies, nature's ingenuity has been harnessed and amplified through human innovation. These proteins, shaped to cling to invaders and eliminate them, serve as the immune system's vanguard.

"Everybody who has a disease is on a clock, and every minute of every day that clock is ticking..." which is why we're using #ML to bring protein therapeutics to patients faster.

Thank you @MediaWorksLDN and @atomico for helping bring our work to life⬇️https://t.co/dznxwpqRD2

— LabGenius (@labgeni_us) October 1, 2021

For decades, pharmaceutical enterprises have crafted synthetic antibodies to combat cancer and prevent organ rejection. However, the traditional process, demanding exhaustive sifting through countless amino acid combinations and subsequent experimental testing, has been an arduous journey.

If you want to create a new therapeutic antibody, somewhere in this infinite space of potential molecules sits the molecule you want to find

James Field, founder & CEO of LabGenius

LabGenius, emerged in 2012 from the convergence of plummeting DNA sequencing, computational costs, and robotic capabilities. With a blend of cutting-edge technologies, the company has orchestrated a choreography where AI algorithms orchestrate the design of disease-targeting antibodies.

Automated robotic systems then nurture their growth, conduct tests, and feedback data into the algorithmic loop, with minimal human intervention. Within these walls, sterile labs house bustling technicians, clad in lab coats, tending to samples and orchestrating a symphony of mechanised progress.

The AI-infused journey of discovery

In the realm of antibody creation, the human touch has evolved into a partnership with AI, accelerating the journey from conception to fruition. A machine learning model, the centrepiece of LabGenius' approach, embarks on an expedition across the vast expanse of potential antibody variants.

The only input you give the system as a human is, here’s an example of a healthy cell, here’s an example of a diseased cell. And then you let the system explore the different [antibody] designs that can differentiate between them.

James Field, CEO of LabGenius

With a mere snapshot of a healthy and ailing cell, the model springs into action, crafting and evaluating over 700 initial designs from a staggering search space of 100,000 possibilities. These candidates then undergo rigorous automated testing, epitomising efficiency in action.

The journey unfolds cyclically, with each test informing and refining the model's understanding of antibody effectiveness. Unlike traditional iterative approaches, LabGenius sidesteps the pitfalls of tunnel vision by unveiling unexpected solutions that might elude human minds.

This orchestrated dance between AI and biological assays takes a mere six weeks from problem setup to the completion of the initial batch—a far cry from the conventional timelines.

A bold vision for the future

LabGenius' pioneering AI-driven methodology isn't just confined to antibody engineering; it holds promise for revolutionising drug discovery across the board. With $28 million in funding and strategic partnerships, the company is poised to redefine the landscape of pharmaceutical innovation.

James Field envisions a future where patient care is elevated through antibodies with enhanced efficacy and diminished side effects—a testament to the unparalleled potential of AI to unravel new frontiers in medical science.

In the crucible of LabGenius' automated ingenuity, the boundaries of human imagination meld with AI's computational prowess, forging a path to unparalleled medical breakthroughs.

With each automated iteration, LabGenius beckons us closer to a realm of therapeutic possibilities previously hidden in the enigmatic landscape of protein design.