Absci, a pioneer in generative AI-driven drug discovery, and Twist Bioscience, a leader in high-quality synthetic DNA production through its silicon platform, have announced an innovative collaboration to create a novel therapeutic antibody using generative AI. This partnership combines Absci’s pioneering AI-driven drug discovery capabilities with Twist’s industry-leading DNA synthesis technology, potentially accelerating the pace of drug development and advancing treatments for diseases with unmet needs.

“Uniting the expertise of two frontrunners in biotech innovation sets the stage for accelerated pharmaceutical R&D,” said Sean McClain, Founder & CEO of Absci. “We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with Twist, harnessing the combined strength of our platforms to deliver more efficient biologic solutions for patients.”

The collaboration will focus on designing a new therapeutic candidate targeting an undisclosed molecule by integrating Absci’s generative AI platform with Twist’s state-of-the-art DNA synthesis technology. This joint initiative will tap into Absci’s proprietary de novo AI design tools and Twist’s Multiplexed Gene Fragments, facilitating rapid validation and testing of the designed antibody candidates. Both companies aim to partner with a third party for the clinical development and potential commercialization of the candidate.

“We’ve collaborated with Absci for years and are excited to elevate our relationship from a preferred supplier to a strategic ally. This new phase enables us to harness Absci’s AI capabilities alongside Twist’s DNA synthesis platform to discover antibodies that address a critical biological target with implications across multiple diseases,” stated Dr. Emily M. Leproust, CEO and cofounder of Twist Bioscience.

This endeavor is the latest addition to Absci’s portfolio of collaborations with top-tier pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and Merck, as well as prestigious research institutions such as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Beyond partnerships, Absci is actively developing its pipeline of innovative drug candidates.

Twist will contribute elements from its SynBio portfolio, designed for antibody discovery and validation, including Multiplexed Gene Fragments, its Express portfolio, and long DNA synthesis. This partnership underscores the comprehensive value of Twist’s platform in progressing from discrete DNA synthesis to full antibody discovery workflows.