#Israel #Rehovot #Evogene #ChemPass AI #John Irwin

Evogene Welcomes Notable Scientists to Its Scientific Advisory Board

Introduction

Evogene Ltd., known for its cutting-edge work in computational chemistry, has made significant strides by appointing two prominent figures in the scientific community to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The recent additions of Prof. John J. Irwin from the University of California, San Francisco, and Prof. Dan T. Major from Bar-Ilan University are aimed at enhancing Evogene's capabilities in the fields of pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical discovery.

The Vision for ChemPass AI™

Evogene's focus on innovative solutions is encapsulated in its proprietary generative AI engine, ChemPass AI™, which is specifically designed to facilitate the discovery and optimization of novel small molecules. With the help of the two newly appointed professors, the company is poised to accelerate the development of this technology. ChemPass AI™'s architecture allows it to generate highly effective molecular candidates that are optimized for multiple essential parameters, ultimately streamlining the discovery process and increasing success rates in drug development.

Academic Heavyweights Join Forces

Prof. John J. Irwin

Prof. Irwin is an esteemed Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at UCSF. His contributions to ligand discovery and virtual screening have shaped modern drug discovery practices. His initiative in creating widely utilized open-access resources, such as ZINC and DOCK, has earned him over 35,000 citations in scholarly works. His appointment is expected to enhance Evogene's focus on evidence-based decision-making and ligand discovery, aiming to improve efficiency in drug discovery cycles.

Prof. Dan T. Major

On the other hand, Prof. Major is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University with expertise in multiscale molecular modeling. He has made groundbreaking contributions to integrating quantum mechanics with AI, significantly impacting drug discovery and material design. His pioneering work in hybrid QM/MM simulations and tools such as EnzyDock identifies him as a key player in accelerating innovation within the ag-chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Their Impact on Evogene's Strategy

Both professors will play an instrumental role in providing strategic insights as Evogene further develops ChemPass AI™. They will assist in ensuring that the platform remains accurate, scalable, and applicable across various real-world applications. As stated by Prof. Irwin, Evogene's rigorous and computationally driven approach to small-molecule discovery addresses crucial challenges in the industry, which he is eager to support.

Prof. Major emphasized his anticipation of leveraging his knowledge in advanced molecular modeling to enhance the technologies that hold real potential for significant impacts in drug and agricultural chemical discovery.

Future Directions

Dr. Gabi Tarcic, Evogene's Chief Development Officer, remarked that the appointments mark a pivotal moment for the evolution of ChemPass AI™, promising improvements in the quality and predictive capabilities of their discovery platform. This confirms Evogene's commitment to translating computational innovations into practical applications that benefit the pharmaceutical and ag-chemical industries.

Evogene continues to stand at the forefront of computational chemistry by joining forces with leading scientists to push the boundaries of drug development and agricultural innovation. As the company focuses on creating ground-breaking solutions, this strategic enhancement of the scientific advisory board is likely to yield significant advancements in both sectors.

Conclusion

As Evogene embarks on this new chapter with the addition of Prof. Irwin and Prof. Major to its Scientific Advisory Board, the company reaffirmed its vision of integrating scientific innovation with the demands of the industry. With a strong emphasis on AI-driven methodologies, the path ahead for Evogene appears promising, as it looks to revolutionize the landscapes of pharmaceutical and agricultural research.