Denovo Sciences partners A*STAR to accelerate dengue research using an AI-based drug design platform

Denovo Sciences Inc. and the A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs) have announced a research partnership that aims to accelerate the discovery of novel inhibitors against the dengue virus.

Dengue fever is a major global health threat that does not have any effective treatment options till date. Under this partnership, Denovo Sciences will apply its AI-driven molecule design platform to generate a diverse library of potential drug compounds targeting the dengue virus. Scientists at A*STAR ID Labs will utilise their capabilities in virology and cutting-edge research facilities to screen and evaluate the efficacy of these AI-generated molecules in inhibiting the dengue virus.

The synergy between Denovo Sciences' AI prowess and A*STAR’s biomedical research capabilities aims to expedite the drug discovery process. This collaboration not only exemplifies the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation but also demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing critical global health challenges.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with A*STAR ID Labs in our quest to combat dengue virus," says Hovakim Zakaryan, CEO of Denovo Sciences Inc. "By integrating our AI-driven drug design capabilities with A*STAR's research expertise, we are poised to make significant strides towards novel therapeutic agents."

Dr Marco Vignuzzi, Senior Principal Investigator, A*STAR ID Labs said: “Dengue is a tropical disease that may trigger severe life-threatening symptoms. The development of new and effective therapeutic agents as interventions would allow us to address the unmet need for dengue treatments.”

Prof Lisa Ng, Executive Director, A*STAR ID Labs added, “A*STAR ID Labs will bring its expertise in pathogen biology and its screening capabilities to the project, working together with our research partners to break new ground in the fight against dengue.”

This partnership marks a pivotal step towards mitigating the global burden of dengue virus and underscores the transformative potential of uniting artificial intelligence and infectious diseases research.