Eli Lilly, a prominent name in the pharmaceutical industry, has recently signed a groundbreaking research agreement with BigHat Biosciences, signaling a significant step forward in the co-development of next-generation antibody therapeutics. This collaboration forms part of Lillys strategic initiative to enhance its capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug development, a rapidly evolving field that is transforming how new therapeutics are discovered and brought to market.

The newly established agreement encompasses the development of up to two distinct antibody programs. BigHat Biosciences will leverage its innovative platform, known as Milliner, to take charge of the design and engineering of therapeutic antibodies. Notably, the financial details of this partnership have remained undisclosed, sparking curiosity within the industry about the potential scale and impact of the deal.

BigHat's Milliner platform represents a cutting-edge approach to overcoming longstanding challenges in antibody development. By merging machine learning (ML) with a synthetic biology-based high-speed wet lab, this technology aims to optimize a variety of critical attributes of antibodies simultaneously. These attributes include affinity, specificity, immunogenicity, and manufacturability, all of which are essential for developing biologics that boast improved therapeutic profiles. The goal is to accelerate the timeline of drug development while enhancing the effectiveness of new treatments.

As part of the agreement, Eli Lilly is not only investing equity in BigHat but also extending its support through the Catalyze360 initiative. This initiative underscores Lillys commitment to fostering innovation and includes backing for BigHats internal gastrointestinal (GI) cancer antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) program, which is anticipated to enter clinical trials by 2026. Importantly, BigHat will maintain full global rights and control over the development of this ADC, allowing them to drive the project with autonomy.

This partnership marks a continued commitment by Eli Lilly to integrate AI more deeply into its drug discovery and development processes. Earlier in 2023, Lilly announced a collaboration with OpenAI aimed at identifying new antimicrobials that target drug-resistant bacteria. Moreover, in 2024, the company secured a substantial $409 million deal with Genetic Leap, focusing on RNA-targeted therapies further solidifying its position as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation.

Coincidentally, the announcement of this collaboration on April 17 coincided with the release of promising results from Eli Lillys oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) drug, orforglipron. This development positively impacted Lilly's stock, causing a notable surge in share prices and showcasing the company's robust pipeline of potential therapeutics.

For BigHat Biosciences, partnering with a powerhouse like Eli Lilly adds substantial weight to its growing portfolio of strategic collaborations. Previously, BigHat has entered into research partnerships with notable firms such as Johnson & Johnson, focusing on neuroscience applications, and AbbVie, which included an initial $30 million payment and additional milestones potentially worth up to $325 million. Additionally, the AI-focused company has struck deals with industry giants like MSD and Amgen, further solidifying its reputation in the biopharmaceutical landscape.

Founded in 2019, BigHat is making strides with a pipeline of preclinical programs dedicated to oncology and immunology. Among its ventures are next-generation ADCs and functionally differentiated T-cell engagers (TCEs). Notably, in November 2024, BigHat acquired commercial licensing rights to Synaffixs site-specific ADC technology platform, which is being utilized in its lead GI cancer ADC program. This program is currently in the investigational new drug (IND)-enabling stage and is projected to be BigHats first clinical candidate, marking a significant milestone in the company's growth trajectory.