Predictive oncology to launch AI drug discovery platform for Covid-19

Predictive Oncology has announced plans to launch an artificial intelligence (AI) technology platform for vaccine and drug development under an operating agreement with Soluble Therapeutics.

The company is focussed on coronaviruses and acute respiratory syndromes, including Covid-19, MERS and SARS.

Predictive Oncology also signed a letter of intent with InventaBioTech to buy Soluble Therapeutics, its assets and HSC Technology.

Soluble Therapeutics’ computer system uses HSC technology and its six machines to run more than 12,000 computer simulations per machine to produce new diagnostics, vaccines and drugs.

The HSC technology showed efficacy with new and existing vaccine and drug programmes, said the company.

By combining this technology with Predictive Oncology’s predictive modelling platform, the company anticipates developing a new AI discovery platform.

Predictive Oncology CEO Carl Schwartz said: “Soluble has six customised machines in its facilities that can help identify the best solutions for vaccines, proteins or antibodies being developed to help fight the COVID-19 contagion.

“Through this operating partnership and acquisition, we are ready to assist in the development of viable treatment options that use biological, complex ingredients and formulations to speed up the pre-clinical and clinical development of treatments.”

Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition of Soluble Therapeutics is set to complete in the second quarter of this year.