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Today, Deepmind announced the launch of AlphaFold 3, the next generation of its AI software for structural biology, which has enabled thousands of researchers to predict the complicated chemical interactions involved with proteins. One major difference in the new iteration of the program: instead of just predicting protein folding, it predicts the interactions of other biological molecules as well including DNA, RNA and small molecules. The company published the accuracy of its predictions in the journal Nature.
In addition to the new capabilities–which even includes the ability to make predictions based on epigenetic changes to DNA–the company has also launched AlphaFold Server, a web service that enables researchers to generate biochemical models without having to install the system itself from open source code, as was the case with previous iterations. Something else new is that AlphaFold now works with diffusion models – which are popularly known for being used by AI systems that generate images from text prompts – in place of some of its previous structural models.
“The response to AlphaFold 2 was more than I could have ever imagined in terms of the kind of creativity and what the research community has done with it,” Deepmind research director John Jumper said at a press briefing. “And I can’t wait to see what they do with AlphaFold 3.”
Oscar Health Reports Its First Profitable Quarter As Insurer’s Enrollment Soars
Oscar Health reported a $177 million first quarter profit — a first since the company was founded more than a decade ago — as the provider of individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act lives up to promises under new management. Oscar shook up its management ranks and hired the former Aetna chief executive Mark Bertolini last year.
Read more here.
Pipeline & Deal Updates
Gene Therapy: Regeneron reported preliminary data on its gene therapy for genetic deafness, which showed restored hearing in two children who received the treatment.
Diagnostics: The FDA has approved Geneoscopy’s RNA screening test for colorectal cancer.
Immune Disorders: Zenas Biopharma, which is developing a monoclonal antibody aimed at treating MS, lupus and other autoimmune disorders, just raised a $200 million series C round to support its clinical efforts.
Infectious Disease: Karius, which has developed a genomics-based test for infectious diseases, announced it raised a $100 million series C co-led by Khosla Ventures, Gilda Healthcare and 5AM Ventures.
Viral Pipeline: Flagship Pioneering announced the $50 million launch of its latest company, Prologue Medicines, which aims to discover potential new treatments by exploring viral proteins.
Mental Health: Backpack Healthcare, a startup offering online mental health services for children, raised a $14 million Series A round led by PACE Healthcare Capital.
AI: Rad AI, a startup using generative AI to automate writing radiology reports, has raised a $50 million Series B led by Khosla Ventures.
Gates, Novo Nordisk Foundation And Wellcome Commit $300 Million To Climate Change, Infectious Diseases And Nutrition
The group said that while innovation has accelerated with new technologies and scientific breakthroughs in recent years, as well as collective action helping to eliminate diseases and improve lives, progress is now at risk because “funding and attention for global health and development is faltering.” Each of the three will contribute equally to the project — a commitment of $100 million each — a statement said, with funding initially set to last for three years.
Read more here.
Other Healthcare News
Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk reported $3.65 billion in profit in the first three months of 2024 beating expectations amid weight loss drug frenzy.
Cigna reported a $300 million first quarter loss due to a $1.8 billion impairment loss on its investment in doctor-staffed clinic operator VillageMD.
Health insurer Alignment Healthcare reported a net loss in the first quarter of $46.5 million, even though enrollment its Medicare Advantage plans increased by 50%.
The American Cancer Society launched the largest-of-its kind study meant to examine how racism, health history and lifestyle can impact the long-term health and cancer outcomes of 100,000 Black women in the U.S. over 30 years.
The luxury gym Equinox has partnered with lab testing company Function Health to offer a $40,000-per-year program to promote longevity first rolling out in New York City and Highland Park, Texas.
More than 321,000 children in the United States lost a parent to a drug overdose between 2011 and 2021, according to a new study.
Across Forbes
Warner Bros May Lose The NBA — But Its Stock Is Still A Buy. Here’s Why.
This Company Wants You To Rent Your Credit History
At Max Altman’s Saga Ventures, An Unlikely Trio Raises $125 Million To Invest Outside Silicon Valley Hype
What Else We are Reading
Making the promise of monoclonal antibody therapies available to all (STAT)
Medical freedom vs. public health: Should fluoride be in our drinking water? (NBC)
Three People Shot at Super Bowl Parade Grapple With Bullets Left in Their Bodies (KFF Health News)
