AI-enabled drug discovery and development company BenevolentAI (Euronext Amsterdam:BAI) announced on Tuesday that biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca plc (STO:AZN) (LON:AZN) (Nasdaq:AZN) has selected a novel target for lupus, discovered using BenevolentAI's AI platform and validated by AstraZeneca.

This marks the second target selection this year from their extended collaboration, showcasing continued success in identifying drug targets. The partnership, combining BenevolentAI's AI-driven discovery platform and AstraZeneca's expertise, focuses on multiple therapeutic areas like heart failure and systemic lupus erythematosus.

This structure benefits both parties, with BenevolentAI receiving upfront payment, research funding and potential royalties.

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, primarily affects women and people of Asian, Black African and Caribbean heritage.