On January 9, 2026 Pierre Fabre Laboratories and Iktos, a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics on drug discovery, reported an integrated drug discovery collaboration to identify and develop novel small-molecule drug candidates in oncology. This initiative reflects both companies’ commitment to advancing oncology research by integrating complementary strengths across computational design, medicinal chemistry, biology, medical science and preclinical development.
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Under the terms of the agreement, Iktos will leverage its AI-driven generative design platform to accelerate the discovery of optimized small-molecule candidates against an undisclosed oncology target. Pierre Fabre Laboratories will contribute its extensive knowledge in oncology research and preclinical development to guide the selection, evaluation, and progression of candidate molecules.
Financial terms of the agreement are not disclosed but include an upfront and several milestone payments.
"This collaboration with Iktos marks an important milestone in our journey to build an AI-powered R&D engine at Pierre Fabre Laboratories" said Audrey Kauffmann, Head of Data Science and Biometry at Pierre Fabre Medical Care R&D. "By integrating Iktos’ generative AI and automated chemistry technologies into our research platforms, we are taking a step toward realizing our data and AI strategy. This cooperation exemplifies our ambition to leverage cutting-edge innovation to improve the quality and probability of success in drug discovery, while accelerating the delivery of meaningful advances for patients in oncology."
"We are delighted to start a drug discovery collaboration with Iktos", said Olivier Geneste, Head of Drug Discovery at Pierre Fabre Medical Care R&D. "Thanks to its well-established expertise in generative AI coupled to automated chemistry, we strongly believe that Iktos will help us in accelerating and derisking the discovery of innovative therapeutics targeting a highly valuable oncology target to serve unmet cancer patients’ needs."
"We are delighted to initiate this collaboration with Pierre Fabre Laboratories, a company with a distinguished track record in oncology," said Yann Gaston-Mathé, Co-founder and CEO of Iktos. "This collaboration exemplifies the powerful complementarity between Iktos’ generative AI and automated chemistry technologies and Pierre Fabre’s deep scientific and clinical development expertise. Together, we intend to create the optimal framework to rapidly and efficiently progress innovative small-molecule candidates in oncology, with the aim of bringing meaningful therapeutic advances to patients worldwide."
About the Pierre Fabre Laboratories R&D pipeline:
Pierre Fabre Laboratories has expanded its efforts in precision oncology by adding several assets to its R&D pipeline. PFL-241 and PFL-721, two mutant-selective EGFR inhibitors, are being developed for the treatment of EGFR-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. PFL-002 is undergoing clinical testing in solid tumors driven by MET genetic alterations. The pan-RAF inhibitor exarafenib is being developed to expand targeted therapy options for RAS/RAF-driven solid tumors. Moreover, pre-clinical candidates for various oncology targets are sought to be identified in collaboration with Vernalis Ltd. Furthermore, a collaboration with RedRidge Bio is underway to identify and develop biparatopic antibodies for multiple targets in precision oncology, dermatology, and rare diseases. These new additions to the discovery and clinical development portfolio complement Pierre Fabre Laboratories’ existing precision oncology portfolio targeting BRAF, MEK, HER2, as well as EBV-driven post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
(Press release, Pierre Fabre, JAN 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234661908])