UCB plugs Cradle's AI protein platform into antibody discovery, from hit generation to preclinical readiness

UCB is applying Cradle's end-to-end protein engineering platform within its digital antibody engineering program, in selected discovery projects running from hit generation through lead optimization and preclinical readiness. UCB's earlier digital antibody discovery and engineering effort drew on its own antibody discovery platform together with computational science, disease-biology expertise and a network of technology and research partners. The scope comes from the joint announcement and covers multiple programs across UCB's biotherapeutics pipeline rather than a single experiment.

The platform is used by feeding wet-lab property results back into models built for each specific program, so the models update as the program advances. Cradle calls this a "lab-in-the-loop," in which experimental data continuously feed program-specific models and form a compounding learning loop. The announcement describes a workflow under the collaboration in which UCB scientists use the platform and apply their own judgment to optimize candidates across the full set of properties required for success.

The announced scope is UCB's use of the Cradle platform in selected discovery projects, covering hit generation, lead optimization and preclinical readiness across UCB's biotherapeutics pipeline; the announcement gives no project count, timeline or result for any candidate molecule.

The announcement uses "potentially" language for designing better molecules, learning faster and reaching patients sooner, and reports no validated candidate or clinical progress; the specific projects selected and their pace are not disclosed.