PharmaIndustrial India Magazine September-October 2023

BioMap Enters Strategic Collaboration with Sanofi to Co-Develop AI modules for Biotherapeutic Drug Discovery BioMap entered a strategic collaboration with Sanofi to co-de- velop AI modules for biotherapeutic drug discovery leveraging BioMap’s AI platform. BioMap will receive an upfront payment and near-term payments for reaching module development milestones. BioMap is eligible to receive payments of more than $1 billion based on achievement of preclinical develop - ment, clinical development, regulatory, and commercial mile - stones. Leveraging BioMap’s custom-built foundational models and AI expertise, as well as Sanofi’s proprietary data, computational innovations in protein engineering, and biologics development experience, both parties aim to create advanced AI models and protein Large Language Models that will enable biologics design and multiparametric optimization. “As the largest foundational model-based approach within life sciences, we are thrilled to collaborate with Sanofi and lever- age the potential of BioMap’s cutting-edge AI engine to help solve complex problems associated with new protein therapies to drive drug discovery,” said BioMap’s Chief Technology Of - ficer, Le Song. “We have built what is essentially a biological map of proteins using data sets from public and private sourc - es to inform our foundational models. Utilizing automation and integrated workflows to enhance the collection of high-quality data, we can catalyze the process of new hit discovery and lead optimization.” “By combining Sanofi’s proprietary data sets, digital infrastruc- ture, AI and data science capabilities, and drug development expertise with BioMap’s protein Large Language Models, high-performance computing, and deep understanding of AI, we can optimize the process of discovery and development of breakthrough biotherapeutics,” said Matt Truppo, Global Head of Research Platforms at Sanofi. “Our collaboration with BioMap further underscores Sanofi’s commitment to becoming the first pharma company powered by artificial intelligence at scale.” GSK and Zhifei Sign Exclusive Strategic Vaccine Partnership GSK has reached an exclusive agreement with Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products, Ltd. (Zhifei) to co-promote GSK’s shingles vaccine, Shingrix, in China for an initial three-year period, with the potential to extend the partnership should all parties agree. Zhifei has a track record of driving access to innovative vaccines in China. By bringing together the scale and expertise of the two companies, the strategic partnership will significantly extend the availability of Shingrix, supporting the rapid expansion of patient access to the vaccine and future potential indications. Set to start on 1 January 2024, Zhifei will have exclusive rights to import and distribute Shingrix in China – focusing on promot - ing the vaccine through its extensive service network, which covers more than 30,000 vaccination points across the country. In partnership, GSK - as the license holder for the product - will co-promote Shingrix by raising awareness of the importance of shingles vaccination amongst healthcare professionals within community health centres and hospital settings. Luke Miels, Chief Commercial Officer, GSK said, “This part- nership is consistent with our focus on products with a high and durable level of differentiation. It materially expands the number of Chinese adults who can benefit from Shingrix and includes the option to extend the collaboration to include our novel RSV vaccine Arexvy.” NEWS PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS PHARMA INDUSTRIALINDIA · SEP-OCT 23 11