AI-Powered Drug Discovery Breakthrough: Charles River and Valo Health Identify Lupus Candidate
Charles River Laboratories and Valo Health have identified a potential therapeutic for lupus and other autoimmune diseases using their AI-powered drug discovery platform, Logica®13.
The discovery marks the first advanceable product candidate from the Logica platform, which integrates Valo's AI-powered Opal Computational Platform with Charles River's expertise in drug discovery and preclinical development14.
The small molecule inhibitor targets a novel autoimmune target that no other therapies currently address1.
This discovery is part of an ongoing collaboration with Pioneering Medicines, Flagship Pioneering's in-house drug development unit13.
Logica aims to accelerate the drug discovery process by seamlessly translating targets to candidate nomination under a partnering business model34.
The partnership between Charles River, Valo Health, and Pioneering Medicines was first announced in February 20231.
Pioneering Medicines will take over the development of the candidate as it progresses towards becoming a preclinical asset1.
The discovery provides proof-of-concept for Logica as an engine to expedite and enhance drug discovery in critical therapeutic areas34.
The collaboration aims to address unmet medical needs and develop therapies for patients with limited or no treatment options34.
This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of AI-driven platforms to transform the drug discovery and development process, potentially bringing new treatments to patients faster7.
Sources:
1. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/drug-discovery-pact-between-charles-river-and-valo-health-nets-potential-lupus-asset-flagships
3. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250325969918/en/Charles-River-and-Valo-Health-Identify-a-Potential-Therapeutic-for-Lupus-Using-Logica-an-AI-Powered-Drug-Discovery-Platform
4. https://www.valohealth.com/press/charles-river-and-valo-health-identify-a-potential-therapeutic-for-lupus-using-logica-an-ai-powered-drug-discovery-platform
7. https://www.pharmanow.live/latest-news/charles-river-valo-health-unveil-ai-driven-lupus-drug-candidate