Numerate, a computational drug design company applying artificial intelligence (AI) at cloud scale to transform small molecule drug discovery, has formed a multi-year agreement with Takeda under which Numerate will identify and deliver multiple clinical candidates.

Numerate will drive discovery programs aimed at identifying clinical candidates for use in Takeda’s core therapeutic areas: oncology, gastroenterology, and central nervous system disorders. The projects will rely on Numerate leveraging its AI-driven platform, from hit finding and expansion through lead design/optimization and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion)/toxicity modeling.

“This is an ideal arrangement for Numerate because our team will be working largely independently while having the opportunity to leverage Takeda’s global experience, therapeutic area insights, and unique R&D capabilities,” said Guido Lanza, president and chief executive officer, Numerate. “We expect to produce multiple clinical candidates, while also continuing to refine, validate and expand our proprietary AI-driven platform as we work across a broad range of target types and drug design challenges.”

David Weitz, head of Takeda California and global research externalization, said, “We are excited to partner with Numerate. Numerate has established an impressive track record of leveraging their AI platform to overcome drug design challenges, both for its own pipeline and in pharma/biotech collaborations. By having Numerate select projects that align with Takeda’s strategy we expect the partnership to yield multiple assets that Takeda can develop into truly transformative medicines for patients.”