Research & Development

The two companies are intended to co-create a novel target identification platform, using Aignostics’ technology and patient cohorts, as well as Bayer’s expertise in the discovery and development of novel oncology therapeutics. According to the companies’ press release, the collaboration will also ‘include the development of computational pathology algorithms powered by AI and machine learning (ML) that connect baseline pathology data, such as molecular tumour profiles, with clinical data, such as patient outcomes, to enable better patient identification, stratification and selection for clinical trials’.

Under the terms of this agreement, Aignostics will receive an initial upfront payment and is eligible for success-based milestone payments and royalties on any commercialised therapies resulting from this collaboration.

Christian Rommel, member of the executive committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and head of research and development at Bayer, commented: “Gaining insights into human disease biology, discovering targets with a strong disease link by integrating AI, ML and multimodal pathology into precision drug development has a huge potential for our R&D innovation strategy. Bringing Aignostics’ technical knowhow and their access to large patient data sets together with Bayer’s expertise in cancer research and development will enable discoveries and faster clinical development, helping to provide cancer patients with more impactful medicines.”

Viktor Matyas, CEO of Aignostics GmbH, added: “Innovation at Aignostics has always been fuelled by close collaboration with clinicians and biopharma. With this partnership, we’re thrilled to take that approach to the next level. Fusing our technology and multimodal data with Bayer’s extensive expertise in drug discovery and clinical development has the potential to generate better drugs for patients with high unmet need in less time. Together with Bayer, we’re excited to transform AI’s immense potential into a reality for healthcare.”