March 11, 2025 | In this episode of The Chain, host Andrew Buchanan, principal scientist at AstraZeneca, and Andreas Plückthun, professor and head of biochemistry at the University of Zurich, discuss AI/ML technologies in the antibody and protein engineering space. Plückthun shares his perspectives on what technologies show promise and success, why the definition of epitope is important when developing a drug, and what aspects he expects to improve in the ML field in the future.

GUEST BIO

Andreas G. Plückthun, PhD, Professor and Head, Biochemistry, University of Zurich
Andreas Plückthun, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. His research on protein engineering has included pioneering work on antibody engineering, the development of ribosome display, new scaffolds (the DARPin technology and Armadillo Repeat Proteins), engineering of stable G-protein coupled receptors towards high stability, and most recently a new retargeting platform for gene therapy. He is member of the German Academy of Science (Leopoldina) and recipient of many international awards and founder of three biotech companies, Morphosys, Molecular Partners and G7(divested to Heptares/Sosei). Trained as chemist in Heidelberg, he received his Ph.D. at UC San Diego, was Postdoc at Harvard, group leader at the Max-Planck-Institute in Martinsried, and then Professor in Zurich. His work has been published in over 475 papers, which have been cited over 50,000 times. He is an inventor of more than 25 patent families.

MODERATOR BIO

Andrew Buchanan, PhD, FRSC, Principal Scientist, Biologics Engineering, Oncology, AstraZeneca
An experienced multidisciplinary team leader and inspiring scientist. A track record of leading and motivating innovative, matrixed, global complex project and platform technology teams. As a member, leader, or mentor of teams, Andrew has contributed to more than 20 drugs entering first-time in human clinical studies. Of these, three are marketed medicines benefiting patients. With colleagues, he has published over 35 original manuscripts and patents.