Eli Lilly and NVIDIA Team Up to Create Revolutionary AI Supercomputer for Drug Discovery
Eli Lilly and Company has recently announced an ambitious initiative to establish the most powerful supercomputer operated by a pharmaceutical company, in collaboration with the technology giant NVIDIA. This groundbreaking project aims to supercharge the processes of drug discovery and delivery, propelling the industry into a new era of medical science. The new supercomputer will function as an 'AI factory,' a pioneering infrastructure designed to oversee the complete AI lifecycle, from the ingestion of vast amounts of data to the training and high-volume inference needed for practical applications.
Diogo Rau, Lilly's executive vice president and chief information and digital officer, emphasized that their mission to improve lives globally necessitates not just excellence in science but also a commitment to advanced technology. He expressed confidence in Lilly's unique position within the pharmaceutical sector, stating, 'I don't believe any other company in our industry is doing what we do at this scale.' The emerging supercomputer, featuring NVIDIA's DGX SuperPOD architecture equipped with DGX B300 systems, is powered by over 1,000 B300 GPUs, ensuring ultra-fast interconnectivity between GPUs and related systems on a unified high-speed network.
The implications of this new supercomputer extend far beyond mere data processing. Scientists are set to harness its capabilities to train AI models on millions of experiments, significantly expanding the scope and sophistication of drug discovery endeavors. Lilly's proprietary AI models will soon be made available on TuneLab, a federated drug discovery platform that aims to democratize access to cutting-edge discovery tools across the biopharma landscape. This innovative approach will include collaboration with NVIDIA’s Clara open-source models, further enhancing the capabilities of the platform.
In addition to its role in drug discovery, the supercomputer is poised to streamline the development cycles of new medications, enabling faster delivery to patients in need. New AI-powered scientific agents will assist researchers in a multitude of tasks, including reasoning, planning, and collaborating across both digital and physical realms. This advancement is particularly crucial in the field of medical imaging, where enhanced technologies will afford scientists clearer insights into disease progression and the potential to develop new biomarkers for personalized medicine.
Furthermore, Lilly plans to leverage the supercomputer within its manufacturing processes. By utilizing technologies such as digital twins alongside NVIDIA's robotics, the pharmaceutical giant aims to boost production efficiency while minimizing downtime.
Kimberly Powell, NVIDIA's vice president of health care, remarked on the significant impact AI will have on the medical field, transforming our comprehension of biological processes and ushering in a new instrument of science that departs from traditional trial-and-error methodologies. Lilly's longstanding commitment to innovation and its reputable scientific background uniquely positions it to lead this transformative charge in medical discovery.
Thomas Fuchs, Lilly's senior vice president and chief AI officer, articulated the shift in strategy from treating AI as a mere tool to embracing it as a collaborative scientific partner. By embedding intelligence into every layer of their workflows, Lilly seeks to facilitate a learning enterprise that continuously adapts and improves with each incoming data point. 'This isn't just about speed,' he emphasized, 'but rather a holistic interrogation of biology at scale, enhancing our understanding of diseases and translating that knowledge into meaningful improvements for patients.'
In alignment with its sustainability objectives, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the supercomputer will operate on 100% renewable electricity sourced from Lilly's existing facilities. It will also utilize the company's established chilled water systems for effective cooling, further underscoring Lilly's commitment to environmentally responsible operations.
The official unveiling of Lilly's innovative 'Enterprise-Scale AI for Drug Discovery Strategy' occurred during NVIDIA's AI conference, GTC, held in Washington, D.C. This ambitious project signifies Lilly’s dedication to leveraging technology and science for the greater good, making strides towards addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. With nearly 150 years of pioneering discoveries, Eli Lilly aims to enhance health care accessibility and affordability while pushing the boundaries of medical science, ensuring that their advancements translate into significant strides in patient care. To stay updated on their innovations and efforts, visit Lilly’s website or follow them on social media platforms.