Iktos and Bayer announced an agreement to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the discovery and development of new sustainable crop protection products.
According to the companies, Iktos' Makya generative design software will be deployed by Bayer scientists to facilitate the design of new molecules according to pre-defined profiles and accelerate "hit-to-lead/lead" optimization through from which potential molecular candidates are optimized and developed into lead compounds.
Makya is based on generative learning models that design and optimize, in-silico, new molecules that satisfy multiple parameters such as efficacy, selectivity, safety and sustainability. The technology brings insights and directions to the molecular discovery process based on data-driven chemical structure generation technology. It also allows scientists to analyze billions of molecules in a virtual environment, facilitating the exploration of new and larger chemical spaces.
This approach is now being used to help solve a key challenge in crop protection discovery: the rapid and efficient identification and optimization of successful and safe molecules. In terms disclosed by the companies, there is great potential to support Bayer's sustainability goal of reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.
"The world's farmers need reliable, sustainable solutions to overcome current and future challenges, including climate change, the growing resistance of pests to existing solutions, and society's growing expectations about the food we eat and the health of our planet" , said Rachel Rama, head of small molecules at Bayer's Crop Science division.
"Bayer's CropKey approach to crop protection innovation is made possible by innovative data-driven technologies like those made available by Iktos. They will enable us to unlock a new way to protect crops, food security and the environment, and, in doing so, set a new benchmark in the industry.”
"We are excited and proud to join forces with Bayer, a leading global life sciences company, and to have Bayer scientists use our software in their small molecule active ingredient design," said Yann Gaston-Mathé, co-founder and CEO of Iktos.
"It is our ultimate goal to facilitate our use of technology by expert discovery scientists who have deep knowledge and understanding of their discovery programs. This way, AI's promise to dramatically improve discovery will have a better chance of being realized and impacting the development of small molecule active ingredients.”
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