[BIO USA] 바카라 사이트’s global R&D hub, ‘CX Center’ advances five-part antibodies and immunology-based novel drug development

[by Ji, Yong Jun] On the morning of June 17 (local time), in a commercial district straddling the border between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, a unique space stood out amid the concentration of high-rise office buildings. This space, which redefines the conventional framework of traditional pharmaceutical companies, is the ‘Cambridge Crossing Center (hereinafter referred to as CX Center)’, serving as the global research and development (R&D) hub of the multinational pharmaceutical company Sanofi.

The CX Center, established by 바카라 사이트 in June 2022 as a ‘single integrated campus’ through the consolidation of its previously dispersed research facilities across Massachusetts, was purposefully designed to foster research collaboration and brainstorming. Spanning 12 above-ground floors and encompassing a total area of ​​47,400 m2, the center accommodates approximately 2,500 employees. It vertically integrates the full spectrum of novel drug development processes, including experimentation, data analysis, clinical trials, manufacturing, and quality control, within a single location. “We envisioned a space where even casual conversations among scientists in the hallway could contribute to the research process,” a 바카라 사이트 official explained.

◇Global R&D leaders in full force… Inside the CX Center unveiled

On the occasion of the ‘2025 Bio International Convention (BIO USA),’ 바카라 사이트 hosted an ‘R&D Innovation Showcase’ and opened the doors of the CX Center to visiting journalists from around the world. During the event, key members of 바카라 사이트’s leadership, including Senior Vice President Alyssa Johnsen, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) Michael Quigley, R&D U.S. Country Lead Srinivas Rao, and Global Head of Research Platforms and Computational R&D Matt Truppo, were present to introduce and elaborate on the CX Center’s principal research activities.

“The CX Center is organized into four treatment areas, immuno-inflammation, oncology, rare diseases, and vaccines, with laboratories, offices, automated equipment rooms, and communal spaces interconnected in a modular layout,” Rao stated. “This design allows researchers to move freely between floors and departments, access real-time data across the entire R&D process, and engage in continuous discussion.”

◇Researchers join forces with AI to drive ‘automation innovation’

At the heart of the CX Center lies an innovation ecosystem centered on the integration of researchers and artificial intelligence (AI). 바카라 사이트 has implemented its proprietary AI platform, ‘Bioin,’ which is actively used in actual research activities. In the experimental facilities, a protein synthesis robot named ‘PEP’ automatically generates over 5,000 samples per year. By inputting commands into the ‘AutoLead’ system, researchers initiate a continuous, automated execution of the ‘Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA)’ cycle, wherein AI ​​and robotics work in tandem around the clock to identify the optimal small-molecule candidates from among hundreds of thousands of possibilities. According to Matt Truppo, Global Head of Research Platforms and Computational R&D, while traditional workflows required numerous repetitive, human-centered experiments, the adoption of this automation system has significantly accelerated the R&D cycle.

◇Pursuing five-part antibody development to break free from the immune disease specialist label

바카라 사이트 has also recently unveiled a complex targeting strategy through its ‘Second Make’ project, aimed at developing a ‘penta-specific (five-part)’ antibody. This innovative antibody is structured with two domains targeting IL-13 and two targeting TSLP, in addition to a domain that binds to human serum albumin (HSA) to extend the drug’s half-life, resulting in a total of five functional domains. “It is akin to combining the development of five individual new drugs into one,” Truppo remarked.

바카라 사이트 also presented its new R&D vision during the showcase, outlining a strategic shift toward applying immunological approaches to therapeutic areas traditionally viewed as peripheral to immunotherapy. This includes expanding into fields like neurological disorders, ophthalmic diseases, and oncology, underscoring the company’s ambition to redefine these areas through the lens of immunology.

“바카라 사이트 needed to break out of the narrow frame of immuno-inflammation,” stated Quigley. “We plan to apply our understanding of core immune pathways and cell signaling networks to other disease areas.” This shift will initially focus on retinal diseases. Whereas ‘anti-angiogenic drugs’ have traditionally served as the standard of care in this domain, 바카라 사이트 is now developing novel drug candidates that target inflammation-driven mechanisms as an alternative approach.

◇TMU established to enable ‘ultra-fast’ development from drug candidate to patient

In the final presentation, Senior Vice President Alyssa Johnsen introduced 바카라 사이트’s newly established ‘Translational Medicine Unit (TMU),’ created with the objective of expediting the delivery of laboratory-discovered drug candidates to patients. The TMU is primarily responsible for evaluating key data related to clinical-stage candidates, including safety assessments, quantitative pharmacology, and early-phase clinical studies.

“We established TMU to minimize the risk of failure in the novel drug development process and to make important decisions quickly,” Johnsen emphasized. “Our aim is to create an organic integration across the entire R&D process, enabling us to advance from early-stage development to regulatory approval with greater speed and efficiency,” she added.