Algen Biotechnologies has announced a multi-target collaboration with AstraZeneca to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets in immunology using its AI-powered AlgenBrain™ platform. Under the agreement, Algen will leverage its advanced functional genomics technology to identify and validate new cell type-specific disease targets, with AstraZeneca gaining exclusive rights to develop and commercialize therapies based on targets discovered through the partnership. The deal includes an upfront payment from AstraZeneca, milestone-based payments tied to development, regulatory, and commercial progress, and a potential total value of up to $555 million. This significant investment underscores the growing importance of AI-driven approaches in modern drug discovery. Chun-Hao Huang, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of Algen Biotechnologies, said, “We’re excited to collaborate with AstraZeneca to bring the power of our AI-driven functional genomics platform to decode complex chronic inflammatory conditions. Together with AstraZeneca’s deep expertise in translational science and clinical development, we aim to uncover new biological insights that can accelerate the creation of novel therapies—alone or in combination—to transform patient outcomes.” Jim Weatherall, Ph.D., Chief Data Scientist, Biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, added, “We are using AI and machine learning to enhance target discovery, which we believe will lead to more effective medicines. Truly transformative therapies start with identifying the right biological targets—those with strong human translational relevance. Algen’s platform offers a powerful way to achieve this.” AlgenBrain™ is designed to model disease progression by capturing billions of dynamic RNA changes across human, disease-relevant cell types. By combining high-throughput single-cell gene modulation with AI-driven analysis, the platform maps causal relationships between gene regulation and disease outcomes. This enables the identification of novel genes whose therapeutic targeting could potentially reverse disease processes. The platform grounds early discovery in human biology, aiming to improve translational accuracy, increase the likelihood of clinical success, and bring more effective treatments to patients faster. It operates within a continuous learning loop, integrating experimental data with deep learning models to generate actionable insights. Christine Du, Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder of Algen Biotechnologies, said, “This collaboration with AstraZeneca reflects a broader shift toward data-driven, biology-first approaches in drug discovery. AlgenBrain™ is built to uncover the most promising targets by merging experimental biology with AI. By anchoring discovery in human biology and linking gene function directly to disease outcomes, we believe this platform can drive a new era of predictive, precision medicine across multiple therapeutic areas.” Algen Biotechnologies is a precision therapeutics company founded by Chun-Hao Huang and Christine Du as a spin-out from Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna’s lab at the University of California, Berkeley. The company combines CRISPR gene modulation with artificial intelligence to build an end-to-end platform that decodes causal disease biology and accelerates the development of next-generation therapies. Headquartered in San Francisco, Algen is advancing a new paradigm in drug discovery with a focus on human relevance and biological insight. For more information, visit www.algenbio.com. Media Contact: Kimberly Ha, KKH Advisors, 917-291-5744, [email protected]