Both MASH and cardiomyopathies are complex, heterogeneous diseases with significant unmet medical need. Using its Virtual Human AI platform, insitro will work to identify the biological and genetic drivers of both diseases and advance targets nominated by AstraZeneca from discovery through to development candidate. The platform combines large-scale human and cellular data with AI-enabled target identification and drug design. AstraZeneca will then use its clinical development and regulatory expertise to take new medicines forward.

“We know that disease biology is incredibly complex, and one of the most critical decisions in R&D is selecting the right target,” says Sharon Barr, Executive Vice President and Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca. “Partnering with insitro, we will use advanced AI to identify the biological drivers of disease to support the rapid discovery of high-quality novel targets, advancing our ambition to deliver the next generation of medicines to patients faster.”

“MASH and cardiomyopathies are prevalent, underdiagnosed diseases where high-content data holds immense signal for uncovering disease drivers. By applying AI to these complex datasets, we can unlock greater discovery power and reveal novel genetic insights,” says Daphne Koller, Founder and CEO, insitro.

Under the agreement, insitro will receive an upfront payment of USD 40 million and is eligible for up to approximately USD 1.46 billion in development and commercial milestones, plus single-digit royalties on global sales. AstraZeneca will have exclusive worldwide rights to the programs selected through the collaboration.