Gilead Sciences, Inc and Terray Therapeutics, Inc. have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at discovering and developing novel small molecule therapies across multiple therapeutic targets. This partnership leverages Terray’s cutting-edge tNova platform to accelerate drug discovery and deliver innovative treatments for complex diseases.
Terray’s tNova platform integrates high-throughput chemical experimentation with computational analysis and a generative AI-driven drug discovery engine. By applying AI-powered methods to a vast library of quantitative, purpose-built structure-activity data, Terray’s iterative approach identifies optimal molecules to address challenging drug discovery problems. This advanced platform has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of identifying promising therapeutic candidates.
Dr. Flavius Martin, Executive Vice President of Research at Gilead Sciences, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Next-generation, AI-driven platforms using custom-generated large, relevant data sets will serve as important tools in our efforts to shape the future of drug discovery in our ongoing pursuit of innovative treatments across our therapeutic areas of focus. We are excited to collaborate with Terray and explore how their integrated discovery platform will complement our own internal research capabilities and expertise.”
Jacob Berlin, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Terray Therapeutics, also highlighted the significance of this partnership. “We’re proud to strategically partner with Gilead,” he said. “We’re very excited to put tNova’s unique blend of experimentation and computation to work alongside the deep expertise of our collaborators at Gilead to find transformational small molecule therapeutics that bring relief to patients in need.”
Terms of the Agreement
Under the terms of the agreement, Terray will utilize its tNova platform to identify and develop small molecule compounds targeting a set of therapeutic areas selected by Gilead. Following the initial discovery phase, Gilead will have the option to exclusively license the compounds directed at these targets. Upon exercising this option, Gilead will take responsibility for further development and commercialization activities related to the products emerging from the collaboration.
Terray stands to benefit from an upfront payment and is eligible to receive additional milestone payments tied to the achievement of preclinical, clinical, and sales-related milestones. Furthermore, Terray will be entitled to tiered royalties on the net sales of any products commercialized by Gilead through this partnership.
Financial Impact
Gilead’s collaboration with Terray is expected to have a minimal impact on its financial performance for 2024. Specifically, the transaction will reduce Gilead’s GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) by approximately $0.01. Notably, Gilead does not exclude acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparency and investment in long-term innovation.
Advancing Small Molecule Therapeutics
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI-driven platforms for the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics. By combining Terray’s advanced technology with Gilead’s extensive expertise in drug development and commercialization, the partnership aims to address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes.
Small molecule therapies play a crucial role in modern medicine, offering targeted treatment options for a wide range of diseases. However, the discovery and development of such therapies often involve complex and resource-intensive processes. Terray’s tNova platform streamlines these processes by integrating experimental data with AI-driven computational models, enabling the identification of high-potential candidates more efficiently.
Gilead’s decision to collaborate with Terray reflects its strategic focus on innovation and its commitment to exploring cutting-edge technologies in drug discovery. By investing in partnerships like this, Gilead aims to expand its portfolio of therapeutic solutions and maintain its leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry.
A Promising Partnership
The collaboration between Gilead and Terray highlights the growing importance of AI and data-driven approaches in the pharmaceutical sector. As the industry continues to evolve, partnerships that combine technological innovation with deep expertise in drug development will be instrumental in addressing complex health challenges.
By joining forces, Gilead and Terray are well-positioned to accelerate the discovery and development of groundbreaking therapies that have the potential to transform patient care. This partnership not only underscores the promise of AI-driven platforms like tNova but also reinforces the value of strategic collaborations in advancing the frontiers of medicine.
Looking ahead, the success of this initiative could pave the way for further advancements in drug discovery and development, setting a new standard for innovation in the field. With both companies committed to excellence and patient-centric solutions, this collaboration marks an exciting chapter in the pursuit of transformative medical breakthroughs.
