Novartis partners with Chai Discovery to use the Chai-3 AI platform for therapeutic antibody discovery across multiple targets, expanding AI-driven drug research.
Written By: Chikkula Pavan Kumar, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Novartis has expanded its use of artificial intelligence in drug discovery through a new collaboration with Chai Discovery, an AI biotechnology company developing computational tools for molecular design. The partnership provides Novartis with access to Chai’s AI models, including the recently developed Chai-3 platform, to support the discovery of therapeutic antibodies across multiple research programs.
The agreement builds on more than a year of technical collaboration between the two companies. During that period, Novartis evaluated Chai’s next-generation protein folding technology through early access programs before broadening the relationship to include AI-assisted antibody discovery.
Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
AI Platform Supports Antibody Engineering
Chai Discovery develops artificial intelligence models that predict and optimize molecular interactions, allowing researchers to generate biomolecules with predefined characteristics. Rather than relying solely on conventional laboratory screening, the platform applies machine learning to identify and refine antibody candidates with properties such as improved target binding and molecular stability.
The company’s latest Chai-3 model forms part of a broader computer-aided molecular design platform that supports protein engineering and therapeutic discovery. By narrowing the number of experimental candidates requiring laboratory validation, AI-guided approaches may shorten early-stage discovery timelines and improve research efficiency.
Therapeutic antibodies have become one of the fastest-growing classes of medicines, treating diseases including cancer, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and rare genetic conditions. However, identifying antibodies with optimal biological properties remains a complex and resource-intensive process. AI-driven molecular modeling has emerged as a promising approach to accelerate candidate selection while expanding the range of targets that researchers can explore.
Collaboration Expands Earlier Technical Work
The new agreement extends an existing scientific relationship that began more than a year ago. Novartis previously evaluated Chai’s protein folding capabilities before broadening the collaboration to incorporate antibody discovery across multiple therapeutic targets.
Joshua Meier, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chai Discovery, said the collaboration represents an important expansion of the company’s AI platform into additional therapeutic programs. He noted that combining advanced molecular design models with pharmaceutical research expertise could help identify new antibody candidates more efficiently.
Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research at Novartis, said artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how medicines are discovered by helping researchers evaluate more potential therapeutic options earlier in development. She added that Chai Discovery’s computational capabilities complement Novartis’ research expertise and could help address biologically challenging disease targets while advancing potential treatment options for patients.
Growing Adoption of AI in Drug Discovery
The collaboration adds Novartis to a growing list of pharmaceutical companies using Chai Discovery’s AI platform. The company has previously disclosed collaborations with Pfizer and Eli Lilly, reflecting broader industry interest in applying artificial intelligence to accelerate early-stage drug discovery.
For Novartis, the partnership strengthens its expanding AI-enabled research strategy by integrating advanced computational antibody design into multiple discovery programs. While no specific therapeutic areas or development timelines have been disclosed, the collaboration underscores the growing role of AI in improving the speed and precision of biologic drug discovery before candidates enter preclinical and clinical development.
Reference
Chai Discovery Announces Collaboration with Novartis to Advance AI-Driven Antibody Discovery
About the Writer
Chikkula Pavan Kumar (LinkedIn), PharmD is a Doctor of Pharmacy with a keen interest in clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, and evidence-based practice. In his words, he is passionate about patient safety and translating complex medical information into clear, research-driven communication.