On November 11, 2021 Aix Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Aix), a company that develops and provides big data-based marketing solutions, and Portrai Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Portrai), a spatial transcriptomics and AI-based new drug analysis company, reported the companies have formed a partnership with an eye toward entering the Japanese market (Press release, Portrai, NOV 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234651827]).
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aix Co., Ltd. has entered into a business partnership with Portrai, a Korean spatial transcriptomics-based artificial intelligence (AI) new drug analysis company, in order to contribute to and smoothly enter the Japanese AI new drug development market.
Portrai was founded by four active doctors, centered around Seoul National University Hospital and a professor at Seoul National University in Korea. When developing new drugs, Portrai has the technology to explore complex cellular and molecular mechanisms related to drugs under development by comparing images of drug distribution within tissues with spatial transcriptomics data. Spatial transcriptomics technology is a technology that can grasp the positional information of each cell in the tissue section space and perform gene expression profiling for each cell. In new drug development research, it is a cutting-edge biotechnology that can be widely applied to drug treatment mechanisms, drug efficacy prediction, etc.
Portrai’s "PortraiDRUG" technology combines spatial transcriptomics analysis with biomolecular imaging technology to integrate the fine distribution location of drugs in lesions and genetic information obtained from spatial transcriptomics analysis. In addition, it is possible to analyze actual drug-induced changes in expression and signaling systems at the cellular level, making it an effective method for evaluating treatment responses when developing new drugs that require huge budgets.
"PortraiTME" technology introduces AI as an image analysis method in addition to spatial transcriptomics technology, and is useful as a platform for analyzing the detailed environment of various cancer cells, including cell types, and developing biomarkers.
The two companies have agreed to share their business experience in Japan and Korea, including knowledge related to AI and local patenting processes, and to jointly promote the provision of technology in Japan and the construction of an AI service model. The two companies signed an MOU on November 7th this year and plan to collaborate on surveying needs for new drug AI analysis services, localizing new drug AI analysis services in Japan, and managing related patents in the Japanese region.
Protrai’s CEO Lee (specialist physician) said he hopes to demonstrate his track record in proving the company’s superiority and commercialization potential in the Japanese market through the lineup of Portrait TARGET (technology for discovering molecular targets for new drugs), Portrai MOA (technology for exploring drug mechanisms), and Portrai DRUG (technology for evaluating drug distribution and value), which are currently under development.
Our company’s CEO Min said of the significance of this partnership, "We want to continue to strengthen our AI bio business, which we expect to be a growth area within AI, and continue to produce results in order to establish ourselves as a specialized bridge company in the field of AI-based solution services in Japan and Korea."