Degron Therapeutics (“Degron”), the company using its molecular glue-based targeted protein degradation drug-discovery platform to advance human health, today announced it has entered into a collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Takeda to discover and develop novel molecular glue degraders for multiple targets in oncology, neuroscience, and inflammation.
Degron and Takeda will collaborate to utilize Degron’s GlueXplorer® platform to identify, validate, and optimize molecular glue degraders for specific therapeutic targets selected by Takeda. Upon reaching a certain stage of advancement, the projects would be transitioned to Takeda for further development and commercialization.
“We are excited to collaborate with Takeda, expanding the use of our platform into new therapeutic areas,” said Lily Zou, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Degron Therapeutics. “Degron’s differentiated and powerful GlueXplorer platform has been validated by its robust, first-in-class pipeline of novel molecular glue drugs for disease targets that are undruggable by other modalities or better addressed with this new modality. By partnering with Takeda, we combine our molecular glue discovery expertise with Takeda’s vast drug development and commercialization experience in hopes of offering patients worldwide a new class of treatments.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Degron Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive potential future preclinical, clinical development and commercial milestone payments that could total $1.2 billion if all related milestones are achieved over the course of the agreement. Degron is also eligible to receive tiered royalty payments on sales of any potential commercialized products. The parties have the option to expand the collaboration to include more targets. Additionally, Takeda will make an equity investment in Degron. Degron Therapeutics will retain full ownership of its pipeline programs.
“Molecular glue degraders are a new class of drugs that can be directed at targets previously inaccessible or inadequately modulated by other treatment modalities,” said Chris Arendt, Chief Scientific Officer, Head of Research at Takeda. “This collaboration with Degron not only adds an innovative new platform to our drug discovery toolbox, it is also an example of cutting-edge innovation emerging in the exciting China biotech sector.”
Founded in 2021, Degron Therapeutics builds on research from the laboratory of ShanghaiTech University professor and company co-founder Yong Cang, Ph.D. Degron developed a proprietary GlueXplorer platform, which encompasses a unique and expanding library of structurally differentiated molecular glue degraders, multiple complementary screening approaches, and extensive assays to thoroughly validate the molecular glue mechanism for degraders discovered by the platform. Degron has generated a large amount of proprietary data and developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to predict novel molecular glue targets and accelerate compound discovery. Degron has created more than 60 novel diverse cores and 10,000 compounds for its library and a robust pipeline of programs targeting important disease targets including previously undruggable ones across multiple therapeutic areas.
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DDN®, the global pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-cloud data management solutions, today announced a transformative partnership with Ooredoo, Qatar’s premier telecommunications operator and information and communications technology (ICT) provider. This collaboration leverages DDN’s unparalleled expertise in advanced AI workflows, establishing Ooredoo as a frontrunner in the ICT sector by significantly enriching its service offerings.
Through this strategic alliance, Ooredoo will adopt DDN’s sophisticated AI infrastructure, including sovereign AI capabilities, to drive innovation and improve operational efficiencies across its networks. DDN’s proven solutions enable Ooredoo to deploy state-of-the-art AI technologies, ensuring their customers access the most robust and dynamic ICT services, optimized for today’s digital challenges.
“At Ooredoo, we are committed to promoting inclusive access to digital services and resources, as well as developing innovative solutions to improve our customers’ experiences,” says Thani Ali Al-Malki, chief business officer, Ooredoo Qatar. “With DDN’s expertise and cutting-edge technologies, we are poised to transform Qatar’s digital infrastructure and provide our customers with the latest advancements in AI and Sovereign Cloud Storage solutions. The partnership with DDN not only bolsters our position as an integrated ICT provider but also enables us to enhance operations for customers in Qatar and beyond.”
This partnership underscores DDN’s commitment to fostering AI advancements by providing scalable, high-speed storage solutions that empower enterprises like Ooredoo to fully leverage their data, thereby delivering exceptional service quality and pioneering new paths in AI-enabled communications.
“Organizations like Ooerdoo require robust AI and At Scale applications to meet customer demands and accelerate and maximize their market opportunities,” said Ankur Arora, Middle-East and Africa regional director, DDN. “DDN has a legacy of success in delivering efficient and cost-effective infrastructure, and our partnership will enable Ooredoo to set new benchmarks in technology and service excellence.”
To learn more about DDN’s proven AI and multi-cloud solutions (booth #L4B) along with Ooredoo’s services (booth #G1) visit our respective booths at Comex Oman, May 27-30, at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.
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Can You Trust On-Device AI with Your Privacy?
Google and Microsoft have recently unveiled their visions for artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on on-device AI, also known as offline or cloud-free AI. This concept, while intriguing, raises important questions about privacy and security.
Both companies are essentially asking: Would you be comfortable with an AI tool installed on your device, operating solely offline, providing real-time assistance akin to having a trusted human advisor by your side?
Microsoft’s recent introduction of “Copilot+” PCs featuring enhanced on-device processing, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor, highlights this trend. Among the innovations is a feature called “Recall,” designed to retrieve past digital interactions effortlessly. With Recall, users can access virtually anything they have ever seen on their PC, akin to having a photographic memory. However, Recall’s comprehensive data collection raises concerns about privacy and potential misuse.
Google’s Android platform has also embraced on-device AI with its Gemini Nano AI layer. This technology promises faster performance while safeguarding user privacy. During a demonstration, Google showcased Gemini Nano’s ability to detect and flag potential scam calls in real-time, directly on the user’s device. However, the lack of clarity regarding data collection and retention policies has sparked skepticism.
While both Microsoft and Google tout the privacy benefits of on-device AI, critics warn of potential risks. The comprehensive data collected by these AI tools could become targets for exploitation by malicious actors or governments. Moreover, the lack of transparency around trigger mechanisms and default settings raises concerns about user consent and control over their data.
In conclusion, while on-device AI offers convenience and privacy benefits, it also poses significant privacy and security risks. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for companies to prioritize transparency, user consent, and data security to build trust among users.
Source: fastcompany.com

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