自"阿尔法折叠2"颠覆蛋白质结构预测以来，人工智能（AI）技术在治疗性抗体设计领域展现出前所未 有的应用潜力。 《自然》网站在近日的报道中指出，近年来，多个科研团队利用自主开发的AI工具，辅助设计并成功 制备出多种功能各异的治疗性抗体。不过，专家同时提醒，这些抗体的安全性与有效性仍需进一步验 证。 抗体药物市场巨大 抗体是免疫系统中识别特定靶标并激发保护性反应的关键蛋白质。与所有蛋白质相同，抗体由氨基酸链 折叠形成复杂的三维空间结构，既能阻断病原体侵入细胞，也可标记异常细胞引导免疫系统清除，还能 用于递送药物或抑制疾病相关蛋白质的活性。目前全球已有160余种工程化抗体获批用于癌症、感染性 疾病及自身免疫性疾病的治疗。 英国牛津大学旗下《抗体治疗》杂志2022年的分析数据显示，随着数千种新型抗体不断涌现，预计到 2028年，全球抗体药物市场年收入将突破4550亿美元。正如诺贝尔奖得主、美国华盛顿大学蛋白质设计 专家戴维·贝克所言："抗体已成为制药领域的硬通货。" 然而，传统抗体开发流程通常面临周期长、成本高、挑战大的困境。候选抗体需经历多轮优化，才能具 备理想药物的特性，包括良好的溶解性、高度的特异性以及避免脱 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the development of an AI-driven virtual laboratory that enables multidisciplinary research teams to tackle complex scientific problems, specifically in the context of designing new nanobodies for SARS-CoV-2 [2][4][11]. Group 1: AI-Driven Virtual Laboratory - Researchers from Stanford University and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub have created a virtual laboratory platform powered by AI agents, which can autonomously design and execute complex research strategies [2][4]. - The virtual lab allows human scientists to pose scientific questions while AI agents, including a "Chief Scientist Agent" and various "Specialist Agents," collaborate to advance research [5][6]. Group 2: Research Outcomes - Within days, the virtual laboratory successfully designed 92 novel nanobodies, with two showing the ability to bind to the spike protein of new SARS-CoV-2 variants during laboratory validation [9][11]. - The research demonstrates that AI agents can generate creative and rational solutions to scientific challenges, enhancing human scientists' capabilities rather than replacing them [11]. Group 3: Implications and Future Applications - This study marks the first instance of autonomous AI agents effectively solving a challenging scientific research problem from start to finish, showcasing a new paradigm where AI drives the entire research process [11]. - The virtual laboratory platform is designed for biomedical research but can be adapted for broader scientific fields, indicating its potential for widespread application [11].

Core Viewpoint - A patent dispute between two biopharmaceutical companies, HAPO (和铂医药-B) and Baiaosaitu (百奥赛图-B), has sparked significant discussion in the industry and impacted their market valuations. HAPO recently secured a major contract worth up to $620 million based on its antibody technology, while the patent dispute centers around HAPO's claims of patent infringement by Baiaosaitu regarding antibody technology [1][2]. Company Overview - HAPO, founded in 2016, acquired a Dutch biotechnology company to obtain its fully human antibody transgenic mouse platform, HarbourMice, which is now a core asset. The ongoing patent case involves the only heavy chain antibody (HCAb) technology from this platform [2][4]. - Baiaosaitu, established in 2009, initially focused on gene-edited mice and has developed a reputation for its PD-1 humanized mice, which are used in antibody development. The company has transitioned to antibody discovery and has seen significant revenue growth [3][4]. Patent Dispute Details - The patent dispute began in September 2024 when HAPO accused Baiaosaitu of infringing on its "combining molecule" patent related to the production of fully human heavy chain antibodies [4][6]. - The global market for antibody drugs has surpassed $200 billion, with the technology in question being considered a "chip-level" technology in biomedicine [1][5]. Market Position and Financials - HAPO has not yet launched any drugs but has achieved profitability through business development partnerships, with potential transaction values exceeding $5.5 billion since 2022 [2][3]. - Baiaosaitu's antibody business revenue reached 318 million yuan in 2024, reflecting over 80% year-on-year growth, with seven of the top ten global pharmaceutical companies as clients [3][6]. Technical Aspects of the Dispute - The dispute centers on the methods of producing heavy chain antibodies, with HAPO using a method that knocks out the light chain, while Baiaosaitu employs a silencing technique. The core issue is whether these methods are equivalent [9][10]. - There are only six companies globally with fully human heavy chain antibody mouse platforms, highlighting the competitive landscape [6]. Legal Proceedings - Following the lawsuit, Baiaosaitu has taken steps to challenge the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court and has sought to invalidate HAPO's patent [10][11]. - The Chinese biopharmaceutical sector is experiencing a surge in patent applications, indicating a potential increase in related legal disputes in the future [11].