EXSCIENTIA
9.4.2021 07:32:05 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Exscientia, a leading artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pharmatech company, today announced the first AI-designed molecule for immuno-oncology to enter human clinical trials. The A2a receptor antagonist, which is in development for adult patients with advanced solid tumours, was co-invented and developed through a Joint Venture between Exscientia and Evotec, including application of Exscientia’s next generation 3-D evolutionary AI-design platform as part of Centaur Chemist® . The drug candidate has potential for best-in-class characteristics, with high selectivity for the target receptor, bringing together potential benefits of reduced systemic sides effects as well as minimal brain exposure to avoid undesired psychological side effects. Preclinical data related to this project will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting to be held 9-14 April, 2021.
With this announcement, the company’s AI technologies and drug-hunting expertise are now responsible for the first two AI-designed drugs to enter Phase I testing, following on from Exscientia’s previous announcement in 2020.1
Andrew Hopkins, CEO of Exscientia said, “Immuno-oncology medicines are bringing benefit to a range of cancer patients. Our selective A2a receptor antagonist addresses a next-generation immuno-oncology strategy to empower the human immune system by reversing the effects of high adenosine concentrations. We set ambitious therapeutic objectives for this project, especially high selectivity for the A2a receptor and central nervous system (CNS) sparing properties, in order to reduce the likelihood of systemic side effects. Even with these challenging objectives, we were able to discover our candidate molecule within 8 months of project initiation.”
Tumour cells produce high levels of adenosine, a molecule that helps them escape immune system detection by binding to the A2a receptor on cancer fighting T-cells, reducing T-cell ability to eliminate disease.2 Exscientia’s AI-designed A2a receptor antagonist is being investigated for its ability to prevent adenosine from binding to the T-cell receptor and potentially promote anti-tumour T-cell activity.
ENDS
About Exscientia
Exscientia is an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pharmatech committed to discovering and designing the best possible medicines in the fastest and most effective manner. Exscientia is the first company to progress AI-designed small molecules into the clinical setting and repeatedly demonstrate the ability of AI to transform the how drugs are created.
Drug design is precision engineering at the molecular scale. Exscientia has built dedicated AI systems that efficiently learn from the widest range of data and consistently reapply enhanced knowledge through iterations of design. Because Exscientia’s AI platform learns more effectively and rapidly than human-led efforts alone, candidate molecules satisfying complex therapeutic requirements are created with revolutionary efficiency. Exscientia believes that designing better drugs, faster, will allow the best ideas of science to rapidly become the best medicines for patients.
For more information visit us on www.exscientia.ai or follow us on Twitter @exscientiaAI .
1 Exscientia. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and Exscientia Joint Development New Drug Candidate Created Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Begins Clinical Trial. Available at: https://www.exscientia.ai/news-insights/sumitomo-dainippon-pharma-and-exscientia-joint-development Last accessed: April 2021.
2 Vigano, S., Alatzoglou, D., Irving, M., Ménétrier-Caux, C., Caux, C., Romero, P. and Coukos, G., 2019. Targeting adenosine in cancer immunotherapy to enhance T-cell function. Frontiers in immunology , 10 , p.925.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210408005918/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Interactive Brokers Launches Access to Korean Equities, Breaking New Ground for Global Investors7.5.2026 03:00:00 CEST | Press release
Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global broker, today announced the launch of access to equities listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX), becoming the first major US-based broker to offer seamless trading in Korea's $1.8 trillion equity market. Korea ranks fourth among Asia's equity markets and tenth globally by market capitalization, with over $10 billion in daily volume – liquidity comparable to many European exchanges. The market is home to category-leading semiconductor manufacturers, automotive innovators, and consumer technology companies with global footprints, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Hyundai Motor. As one of Asia’s most liquid markets, Korea represents a point of entry for international investors seeking exposure to the region’s technology leadership and industrial innovation. For investors operating across multiple markets and time zones, Interactive Brokers' launch expands the ability to build truly global portfolios with the same integrated tr
Andersen Global udvider med samarbejdspartneren NetExpat7.5.2026 01:38:00 CEST | Pressemeddelelse
Andersen Global styrker sin platform på tværs af Asien-Stillehavsområdet, Europa og USA gennem en samarbejdsaftale med NetExpat, der er en virksomhed med speciale i medarbejderassistance, interkulturel oplæring og ledelsesudvikling for internationalt mobile medarbejdere. NetExpat blev grundlagt for mere end 25 år siden og er en anerkendt markedsleder inden for global mobilitet og talentudvikling med støtte til multinationale kunder verden over. Virksomheden tilbyder vurderings-, trænings- og coachingprogrammer, der er designet til at understøtte globale arbejdsstyrker og deres medarbejdere i forbindelse med flytninger, herunder interkulturelle parathedsvurderinger, målrettet, effektiv kulturoplæring, karriere- og integrationsstøtte til medarbejderes ægtefæller samt talentudviklingsprogrammer for internationalt orienterede teams. "I mere end to årtier har NetExpat haft fokus på at hjælpe organisationer og deres medarbejdere med at trives med international mobilitet," udtaler Alain Verst
Brightfin Launches Spend Clearly AI to Help Enterprise Tech Leaders Take Control of Growing IT and AI Costs6.5.2026 22:32:00 CEST | Press release
New AI-powered optimization app delivers real-time visibility, cost reduction, and predictive forecasting as enterprise AI spending accelerates Brightfin, a leader in AI native IT cost optimization, today announced the launch of Spend Clearly AI, an intelligent optimization app purpose-built for enterprise technology leaders navigating the dual pressures of rising IT complexity and rapidly escalating AI investment. As organizations race to deploy AI apps, models, and infrastructure, technology demands on the budget are expanding faster than ever and growing harder to track, justify, and control. The modern enterprise IT bill has become a moving target. Spend Clearly AI gives CIOs, CTOs, and IT finance teams a single, intelligent app to see exactly where every technology dollar is going, eliminate waste, and stay ahead of costs before they spiral. "Stop thinking about IT as a cost problem. The goal isn't just to spend less — the goal is to spend better," said Joel Martins, CEO of Bright
iQmetrix to Showcase Intelligent Commerce Operating System and Catalyst Innovation at DTW Ignite 20266.5.2026 19:20:00 CEST | Press release
Bronze sponsor debut includes Catalyst project innovation, live platform demo, and a unified AI‑native commerce vision iQmetrix, the Intelligent Commerce Operating System for telecom, announced today it will exhibit, speak, and compete as a bronze sponsor at DTW Ignite 2026 in Copenhagen from June 23–25. The company will deliver a live product demo in The Loft, showcase its ODA PRISM Catalyst project alongside a consortium of global operators and technology partners, and exhibit at Booth #317 throughout the event. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260506948390/en/ The debut marks a milestone in iQmetrix’s global growth strategy and deepens its partnership with TM Forum, following its recent recognition as an ODA Component Directory Partner. The Future of Commerce Is Won at the Orchestration Layer DTW Ignite 2026’s theme, “The Future. Faster.,” captures the urgency facing communications service providers worldwid
Go Beyond the Guidebook: Why Ireland Rewards Those Who Slow Down6.5.2026 18:15:00 CEST | Press release
In a world where travel often feels rushed and driven by checklists, Ireland stands apart. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260501313521/en/ Lusty Beg Island Kesh, Co. Fermanagh The destination offers something deeper, drawing visitors beyond the expected toward richer encounters with its landscapes, culture and communities. As a compact island, Ireland gives holiday makers the chance to take in much of the destination while still travelling at a relaxed, unhurried pace. It’s a chance to slow down, not to do less, but to feel more - more calm, more connection, and more of what makes travel meaningful. This approach to travel is matched by Ireland’s natural warmth and welcome, helping visitors feel at home from the moment they arrive. Take the scenic route From the rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the world’s longest coastal routes, to the rolling landscapes of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Irela
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom