UCB and Ailux Biologics Join Forces to Transform Biologics Research

At UCB, our commitment to innovation is driven by one clear objective – to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. Each partnership we pursue is carefully chosen to not only align with this mission but to amplify it. That's why we are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Ailux Biologics, a division of XtalPi, to propel biologics research into new territory.

This strategic partnership highlights UCB's ongoing dedication to addressing unmet medical needs, harnessing cutting-edge technologies, and shaping a future where healthcare solutions are developed faster, smarter, and more effectively.

A Powerful Alliance for Scientific Innovation

Through our partnership with Ailux Biologics, we’ve licensed XtalFold™, an AI-powered biologics platform designed to provide rapid and accurate insights into antibody and antigen structures. By integrating this sophisticated technology into our biologics discovery and optimization workflows, we’re equipping our teams with enhanced capabilities to engineer high-quality therapeutic candidates more efficiently. We believe XtalFold™ has the potential to enhance UCB’s ability to rapidly and efficiently discover therapeutic antibody candidates and ultimately deliver new medicines to patients.

XtalFold™ sets itself apart by leveraging sequence information alone to predict biomolecular interactions, including the crucial antibody-antigen interface. This streamlined, sequence-driven approach offers exceptional precision, even in complex regions that were challenging to model in the past.

Addressing Unmet Needs Through Technology

With around 70% of immune and central nervous system diseases still classified as having unmet medical needs, accelerating the discovery of effective therapies is critical. XtalFold will allow us to leverage structural insights into the entire antibody discovery and optimisation workflow; allowing us to be more efficient in how we select and engineer antibodies with suitable drug-like properties.

Coupled with UCB’s robust in-house antibody discovery platforms, this collaboration establishes a dynamic synergy between human expertise and computational power. It’s a blend of innovation and experience that further strengthens our ability to bring meaningful solutions to patients around the world.

Anticipating the Path Ahead

This isn’t just a collaboration to benefit the present; it’s a strategic move that looks towards the future of biologics development. UCB and Ailux Biologics will continue to explore the full potential of AI in discovery processes, aiming to deliver milestones that redefine therapeutic solutions. By adopting state-of-the-art platforms, we expect to not only accelerate drug discovery but foster an environment where innovation thrives.

We’re proud of what this partnership signals not just for UCB but for patients around the globe. Together with Ailux Biologics, we will continue to challenge the boundaries of science, and work to open doors to treatments that were once unimaginable. This is only the beginning, and as we move forward, our vision remains unwavering – transforming lives, one discovery at a time.