CCMB Signs MoU with Aganitha in Hyderabad

The Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aganitha, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) and computational programming company, to broaden the possibilities of addressing multiple diseases. The umbrella memorandum aims to apply generative AI to focus on target analysis, small molecule design, antibody and nanobody engineering for addressing malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy.

According to Dr Puran Singh, senior scientist at CCMB, explained that with regard to malaria, “Using various techniques, we identify the molecules of the parasites – proteins -- essential for parasite development. The question is, can we use these proteins for the development of drugs or vaccines or both?” “We keep doing experiments in the lab to identify proteins. With the advancement in computational biology and programming, one can use generative AI



to predict the inhibitor; to determine whether the protein we have identified can be used as a drug target or for the development of a vaccine. That initial prediction, which would otherwise require many experiments in the lab, can be easily predicted by AI. Of course, after prediction, one has to validate its accuracy in the lab.”

He told that this technology was available earlier in bits and pieces. Aganitha, he said, was an expert in this area. “Once they have predicted that a protein could be a drug target, the next step is to model the structure of the protein. In the lab, this can take years. The computational tools provided by AI can do it in a few days. Of course, the structure may not be 100 per cent accurate. But it can be significantly accurate, good enough to be used for prediction of inhibitors which can be later used for developing drugs. That's where AI is useful,” he said.