Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics for drug design company Iktos announced on Friday that it has entered a strategic collaboration with Cube Biotech, a biotechnology company, to accelerate the discovery of novel small molecule agonists targeting the Amylin Receptor.

The partnership integrates Iktos' generative AI-driven drug discovery and robotic synthesis platform with Cube Biotech's NativeMP membrane protein technology and expertise in purification and biophysical assays. This combined approach aims to deliver innovative solutions for pharmaceutical companies addressing complex drug discovery challenges.

Amylin receptor agonists present a transformative opportunity for treating cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic hepatitis (MASH). As a regulator of appetite and satiety, the receptor is a critical target for addressing obesity, which affects over one-third of the global population. Existing therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists face limitations due to high costs, accessibility issues, and side effects.

Orally administered small molecule Amylin receptor agonists have the potential to provide scalable, effective and more accessible treatments. However, structural and biological complexities of the receptor have hindered the development of viable low-molecular-weight modulators. Iktos' advanced 3D generative chemistry technology uniquely optimizes molecules by accounting for protein flexibility, overcoming challenges associated with traditional models. Cube Biotech's NativeMP platform ensures accurate stabilization and testing of membrane proteins, improving assay reliability and enabling better targeting of active drug sites.