Ministry of Science partners with Peptris Technologies for AI drug development

The Ministry of Science has entered into a partnership with Peptris Technologies to bolster drug development under an initiative called VIGOR, according to recent reports from The Economic Times. This venture, which possesses a total estimated budget of Rs 172 crore, aims to leverage artificial intelligence to refine four experimental drugs targeting critical health issues like neuromuscular disorders and diabetes.

This collaboration reflects a wider shift across the pharmaceutical sector, where research laboratories increasingly deploy advanced computational tools to accelerate drug discovery pipelines. Similar innovations are unfolding globally. In an exciting development, Rasayan Labs has unveiled a novel AI-based platform to enhance computational chemistry and drug discovery initiatives, granting free access to researchers at the Institute of Chemical Technology. Meanwhile, QClairvoyance Quantum Labs has performed chemically precise simulations of eight small molecules on an actual quantum computer, marking progress towards drug discovery applications.

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At the same time, major established drugmakers are rebalancing their portfolios as pandemic-era revenue streams normalize. Pfizer on Tuesday reported fiscal third-quarter results that topped estimates and hiked its full-year outlook, as demand for its newly launched and acquired products grows. According to Cnbc's reporting on Pfizer's Q3 earnings, the company is now expecting full-year revenue to total $62 billion to $64 billion, which compares with a previous outlook of $60.5 billion to $62.5 billion.

During an exclusive interview with Cnbc, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company's Covid product revenue was "very low" this quarter and year, but called it "positive news for us." Bourla described this as positive news, stating that actually, we've proven that we can make it irrelevant. Pfizer reaffirmed its Covid product outlook of roughly $4 billion for the year, expecting the majority of Covid shot sales in the fourth quarter during vaccination season, Guegan said during the call. The pharmaceutical giant now expects full-year adjusted profit of between $2.95 and $3.05 per share. That compares with previous guidance of between $2.80 and $3 per share. This revised profit outlook accounts for a one-time $650 million charge, or a negative impact of 10 cents per share, recorded in the third quarter tied to the company's licensing and collaboration agreement with Chinese cancer drugmaker Innovent Biologics.

Pfizer's quarterly performance arrived alongside leadership changes. Pfizer also Tuesday announced that Cecile Guegan, who has held various finance leadership roles at the company over the last two decades, stepped in as chief financial officer this month. She had served as interim CFO since August, when Pfizer's former CFO, Dave Denton, stepped down to take the same position at Nike. Pfizer in August expanded its multiyear cost-cutting efforts to help offset sharp declines in Covid product sales, and is now targeting roughly $9.7 billion in net savings through 2029.

As detailed in 247 Wall St.'s coverage of obesity pipeline pressures, the broader pharmaceutical landscape relies heavily on non-Covid growth drivers and obesity treatment progress to bridge the gap toward the end of the decade. Pfizer reported third-quarter revenue of $16.58 billion, relatively flat from the same period a year ago. That revenue was supported by strong sales of key products like its blood thinner Eliquis, which in particular raked in $2.52 billion in sales, up 25%, and targeted cancer drug Padcev, which posted $720 million in revenue for the period. Sales of Pfizer's newly launched and acquired products contributed $3.8 billion, growing 32% operationally, Guegan said during the earnings call.

Other global players are similarly adjusting their long-term strategies. Zydus Lifesciences is transitioning from a traditional pharmaceutical company to a more patient-driven organization, planning to focus on specialty medicines and biotechnology innovation. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly intends to innovate in the weight-loss market, launching up to four new products in the coming years while being open to partnerships with Indian biotechnology firms for future collaborations.

What to Watch Next

• Monitor the progress of the VIGOR initiative as the Ministry of Science partners with Peptris Technologies to bolster drug development targeting critical health issues like neuromuscular disorders and diabetes.
• Track upcoming Phase III clinical trials and combination data in the anti-obesity and oncology sectors as companies position themselves for approvals.
• Follow broader sector updates and market adjustments as outlined in our business coverage.