Japan-based Ono Pharmaceutical has signed an agreement with US biotechnology company Aitia to collaborate on drug discovery in neurological diseases.
The agreement will see Aitia apply its REFS technology to build Gemini Digital Twins (GDTs) of neurological conditions to identify potential new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Ono Pharmaceutical will secure exclusive global rights to research, develop, and commercialise drug candidates for targets identified through this approach.
Aitia’s REFS technology employs causal AI to create virtual patient models, known as GDTs.
These twins aim to mirror the disease characteristics of actual patients, enabling the identification of causal relationships that conventional correlation-based AI cannot achieve.
The technology could be particularly valuable in neurology, where disease mechanisms involve complex genetic, developmental, neural network, immune, and environmental factors.
Under the arrangement, Aitia will use its platform to analyse clinical and omics data and construct digital models to predict new therapeutic targets.
Ono discovery and research corporate officer and executive vice-president Seishi Katsumata said: “Ono has long been committed to creating innovative medicines for diseases with high unmet medical needs, including neurological diseases.
“Through this collaboration, we are delighted to leverage cutting-edge REFS technology to identify true therapeutic targets in neurological diseases, where disease mechanisms are complex and not yet fully understood.
“We believe this will accelerate the development of innovative medicines. We will continue to expand our R&D pipeline in the neurology field and strive to deliver new treatments to patients.”
Last month, Mediar Therapeutics announced a collaboration and option agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical to develop new treatments for fibro-inflammatory diseases.
Ono agreed to work with Mediar to utilise its fibrosis-focused discovery platform, expertise in myofibroblast development, and knowledge of fibrosis pathways.
