Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall has teamed up with the US-based technology firm Microsoft to advance the development of medical solutions for dermatological diseases.
Under the three-year collaboration, Almirall and Microsoft Industry Solutions, together with other Microsoft partners, will create a joint Digital Office to create a unified Almirall data platform.
The platform will be designed to harness generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) and advanced analytics technologies to drive digital innovation in drug discovery and development.
The collaboration will combine Almirall’s R&D knowledge and expertise in drug discovery, with Microsoft’s advanced digital technologies to develop novel treatment options for dermatology.
Microsoft Spain country general manager Alberto Granados said: “Through this strategic partnership, Microsoft and its Industry Solutions organisation will collaborate with Almirall towards their goal of becoming the greatest dermatology company ever and to revolutionise dermatological treatments and providing patients with the best possible solutions.”
Through the partnership, Almirall aims to leverage generative AI for rapid analysis of extensive datasets creating a digital, agile, and patient-centric approach.
Within its R&D, the company will focus on advancing the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
The collaboration aims to discover synthesisable molecules and generate new technologies for Almirall’s dermatology pipeline.
Also, the partnership aims to optimise operations through data and AI and construct an intelligence-driven technology platform.
It will employ AI technologies to prioritise drug discovery based on novelty and commercialisation potential before validation, said Almirall.
Almirall CEO Carlos Gallardo said: “At Almirall, we believe that leading innovation is enabled by collaborating with experts and being at the forefront of science and technology.
“This agreement with Microsoft is a significant advancement in our digital transformation to achieve our goal of delivering novel treatment options for patients. It will empower us to apply the latest technologies to transform our ways of working and accelerate drug discovery.”
