EXSCIENTIA
8.7.2021 10:02:52 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Exscientia has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates Philanthropy Partners, as part of the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator. This is to expedite the optimisation of a new class of COVID-19 therapeutics created using its artificial intelligence (AI) drug design platform. Exscientia has demonstrated proof-of-concept by using its AI platform to design a novel class of inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2’s main protease enzyme, Mpro , also known as 3CLpro , the causative agent of COVID-19. Mpro is essential for the replication of coronavirus, so administering an Mpro inhibitor to patients as a standalone antiviral or alongside other concurrent treatments could provide a useful frontline therapy.
Exscientia’s AI-based platform will be used to optimise the novel small molecule inhibitors into a therapeutic development candidate, designed to be active against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. The project’s goal is to identify potential pan-coronavirus therapeutics that could be effective against COVID-19, and also new mutations or other SARS viruses that may emerge.
The new grant provided by the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator - an initiative launched by the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard to speed up the response to the pandemic - comes in addition to recent backing from the Gates Foundation supporting Exscientia’s work in developing treatments for tuberculosis, malaria and non-hormonal contraceptives which began in January 2021. Under the new grant, Exscientia will receive $1.5 million which will be used to advance a development candidate on achieving defined milestones. The virus protease inhibitors will be designed using Exscientia’s AI-driven drug discovery platform, which delivers optimised compounds, fulfilling complex design goals faster and more effectively than with conventional drug discovery methods.
Dr. Denise Barrault, Senior Portfolio Manager at Exscientia, commented, “The danger of new emerging strains and mutations of coronavirus means there is an urgent need for new antiviral drugs in this pandemic alongside vaccines, to respond more quickly in potential future coronavirus pandemics. We believe that the world needs innovation to accelerate the discovery of more effective counter-measures for a range of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.”
Exscientia has built a track record of improving and accelerating drug discovery by advancing the first three completely AI-designed small molecule drug candidates into clinical trials. In addition to its own proprietary programmes, Exscientia has entered into collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Bristol Myers Squibb, Bayer, Sanofi and Dainippon Sumitomo, as well as multiple biotech companies. The company currently has more than 20 partners or wholly owned programmes for diseases involving cancer, immunology, the central nervous system, and genetic mutations.
ENDS
About Exscientia
Exscientia is an AI-driven pharmatech company 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 how drugs are created. Exscientia’s AI platform has now designed three drugs that are in Phase 1 human clinical trials.
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.
Exscientia has offices in Oxford, Miami, Osaka and Dundee. For more information visit us on www.exscientia.ai or follow us on Twitter @exscientiaAI.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210708005344/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
Kao’s Laurier Launches New Brand Communication Initiative across Asia: Strengthening Global Integration as a Core Brand in Kao’s Asian Business4.3.2026 03:10:00 CET | Press release
Starting on International Women’s Day, March 8, Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452) will launch new brand communication campaign in nine Asian countries and regions for its feminine sanitary product brand, Laurier, which is the core of its Asian business. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303996141/en/ Laurier Campaign Key Visual Laurier aims to help create more supportive and understanding environments around menstruation, so that women can feel more at ease, both physically and emotionally, under the key message “Comfort, Made Together,” which will be implemented simultaneously across Asia. Kao aims to further develop Laurier as a global brand. Laurier, one of the core brands supporting Kao’s consumer care business in Asia, has been promoting globally integrated operations since 2023. Across all nine Asian countries and regions including Japan, Laurier has been working to unify product specifications and consolida
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots and Representatives from the New York New Jersey Host Committee, U.S. Soccer Federation, Mexico Football Federation and Canada Soccer Light the Empire State Building to Celebrate 100 Days to Go Until the FIFA World ...3.3.2026 23:06:00 CET | Press release
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303105064/en/ FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots and Representatives from the New York New Jersey Host Committee, U.S. Soccer Federation, Mexico Football Federation and Canada Soccer Light the Empire State Building to Celebrate 100 Days to Go Until the FIFA World Cup 2026™ FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots and Representatives from the New York New Jersey Host Committee, U.S. Soccer Federation, Mexico Football Federation and Canada Soccer Light the Empire State Building to Celebrate 100 Days to Go Until the FIFA World Cup 2026™ On Tuesday, March 3, the Empire State Building will rotate in the colors of the flags of the three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – to mark 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Earlier today, the Empire State Building hosted a special tower lighting ceremony with Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host C
SES Publishes 2025 Annual Report3.3.2026 21:41:00 CET | Press release
SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company’s full year financial results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2025. Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram Read our Blogs > Visit the Media Gallery > About SES At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That’s why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected—no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what’s next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership—backed by a track record of bringing innovation “firsts” to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered
Xsolla Expands Global Payment Coverage Across 18 Markets With 6 Trusted Local Payment Methods to Help Developers Reach New Players Worldwide3.3.2026 18:00:00 CET | Press release
Amazon Pay Japan, Zain Cash, Tamara, M-Pesa, Zamtel, and the Aircash app and vouchers are now available through Xsolla Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, today announced a major expansion of its global payments portfolio across 18 markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. As developers continue to expand into high-growth and emerging markets, this expansion enables developers to reach new paying users, improve conversion rates, and deliver payment experiences tailored to local player preferences. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303816373/en/ Graphic: Xsolla The newly supported payment methods include:Local Amazon Pay in Japan, with over 100 million registered Amazon Japan accounts, provides fully localized checkout experiences in Japanese Yen Zain Cash in Iraq is expanding access to mobile-first payment options in a rapidly
SES Announces Annual General Meeting of Shareholders3.3.2026 17:42:00 CET | Press release
SES: Société Anonyme RCS Luxembourg B 81267 Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of SES, Société Anonyme, to be held at the Company’s registered office at Château de Betzdorf, L-6815 Betzdorf (the “Company”), Luxembourg, on Thursday 2 April 2026 at 10:30 a.m. CET AGENDA Attendance list, quorum and adoption of the agenda Nomination of a secretary and of two scrutineers Presentation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 2025 activities report of the Board of Directors Presentation of the main developments during 2025 and of the outlook Presentation of the audit report Approval of annual financial statements, balance sheet and profit and loss account as of 31 December 2025 Approval of consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2025 Allocation of 2025 profits and transfers between reserve accounts Discharge of the members of the Board of Directors Determination of the number of Directors Confirmation of the co-optation of Joseph Cohen and determination o
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