Eli Lilly (LLY) has announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for advancing treatments against drug-resistant diseases. The partnership aims to pioneer “novel antimicrobials” capable of combating drug-resistant pathogens, which are identified as significant global health threats.
Diogo Rau, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Eli Lilly, emphasized the potential of generative AI to accelerate the discovery and development of these essential medications. He described the collaboration as a pivotal advancement in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and reaffirmed Eli Lilly’s commitment to addressing critical health challenges worldwide.
Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed in the announcement made on Tuesday. However, Eli Lilly had previously committed $100 million in 2020 towards developing new antibiotics, aiming to deliver between two to four new treatments by 2030.
Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI, expressed confidence in the capability of their AI technology to drive innovation within the pharmaceutical sector. He noted that AI has already been instrumental in enhancing various aspects of drug development, including manufacturing efficiency and optimizing clinical trials.
This collaboration between Eli Lilly and OpenAI marks a significant milestone in leveraging AI to revolutionize drug discovery and combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance globally.
