BigHat Biosciences and Lilly Partner on AI-Driven Antibody Therapeutics
BigHat Biosciences, a pioneering biotechnology company leveraging machine learning (ML) to guide antibody discovery and development, has announced a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly). This partnership will utilize BigHat’s advanced Milliner platform, which combines state-of-the-art ML technologies with synthetic biology-based high-speed wet labs, to design and engineer therapeutic antibodies with enhanced functionality and improved biophysical properties.
Under the terms of the collaboration, BigHat and Lilly will work together to design and discover next-generation antibodies for up to two antibody therapeutic programs. The collaboration’s goal is to create therapeutics for patients suffering from chronic diseases, with a focus on generating antibodies that offer superior efficacy and durability.
“Partnering with Lilly presents an exciting opportunity to unlock the full potential of AI-driven biologic design,” said Peyton Greenside, CEO and Co-founder of BigHat Biosciences. “By combining Lilly’s deep expertise in drug discovery and development with our machine learning-powered Milliner platform, we aim to accelerate the creation of differentiated, next-generation protein therapeutics.”
The partnership underscores BigHat’s commitment to pursuing value-generating strategic collaborations, while continuing to advance its own internal pipeline of proprietary therapeutics in oncology and immunology. BigHat’s machine learning-powered platform is designed to address molecular engineering challenges, facilitating the creation of novel therapeutics that can significantly improve patient outcomes.
BigHat’s internal pipeline includes next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers (TCEs), with an emphasis on advancing ADCs for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers into clinical trials in 2026. As part of the collaboration, Lilly’s Catalyze360™ model will provide additional support for BigHat’s program. While Lilly’s resources will support the development of these programs, BigHat will retain full global rights and control over the initiative.
In addition to working on the antibody discovery collaboration, Lilly will also make an equity investment in BigHat, further cementing their commitment to the partnership. This investment is part of Lilly’s Catalyze360™ approach, designed to empower early-stage biotech companies. This model provides funding, lab space, and access to drug development talent and resources, utilizing three key pillars: Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs®, and Lilly ExploR&D.
Lilly’s involvement provides BigHat with the resources and expertise needed to bring its groundbreaking work in antibody design to the next level. The partnership highlights the growing importance of collaborations between biotech startups and established pharmaceutical companies in accelerating the development of innovative therapies.
BigHat Biosciences was founded with the mission to design safer and more effective biologic therapies using machine learning and synthetic biology. The company integrates advanced machine learning technologies with a wet lab environment for high-speed antibody characterization. This combination enables BigHat to accelerate the search for better antibodies and more efficiently design novel therapies for challenging diseases.
As a preclinical-stage drug discovery company, BigHat focuses on addressing critical unmet needs in therapeutic areas such as oncology and inflammation. The company’s innovative approach is not limited to discovery; it extends across the entire process of biologic therapy development, guiding the creation of antibodies that could revolutionize treatment options in oncology and immunology.
BigHat’s pipeline is diverse, with both wholly-owned and partnered programs targeting high-need areas. Its work on ADCs and TCEs, for example, is pushing the boundaries of therapeutic development, aiming to offer new hope to patients with types of cancer that currently have limited treatment options. The company’s commitment to improving patient outcomes is reflected in its cutting-edge technologies and strategic collaborations.
Having raised more than $100 million in funding from prominent investors such as Section 32, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and 8VC, BigHat is well-positioned to continue its mission of advancing biologic therapies. The company’s success has also been driven by a culture that values inclusivity, teamwork, and a family-friendly environment, factors that contribute to its ability to attract top-tier talent and foster innovation.
In summary, the collaboration between BigHat Biosciences and Lilly represents a powerful alignment of resources and expertise aimed at advancing the next generation of antibody therapeutics. By combining Lilly’s drug development experience with BigHat’s ML-driven discovery platform, the partnership is poised to accelerate the creation of biologics that could address some of the most challenging diseases, offering new hope to patients in need of better treatment options. This collaboration exemplifies the role of strategic partnerships in the rapidly evolving biotechnology landscape and underscores BigHat’s role as a leader in the field of AI-driven drug discovery.
