The Technion recently launched Tech.AI, a center that brings together the Technion's biomed activity in the field of AI and makes research and application at the forefront of AI accessible to researchers from all units at the Technion
The Technion and the biopharma company Pfizer recently signed a framework agreement to identify opportunities for cooperation and accelerate scientific breakthroughs at the interface between artificial intelligence and drug development. The framework agreement was drawn up during a visit by Pfizer executives to the Technion. The delegation led by the Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Dr. Albert Burla was attended by the Chief Scientist and President of Pfizer Dr. Michael Dolsten, the Vice President and Director of Digital and Technology Lydia Fonseka and other senior managers. They met with the president of the Technion Prof. Uri Sion, with the members of the senior management of the Technion and with faculty members from the life sciences and engineering.
Pfizer, a biopharmaceutical company with 170 years of experience in developing innovative medicines and vaccines, has intensified its impact on human health in recent years with the development of vaccines that protect against the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus - an achievement in which BioNTech is a partner.
In addition to its independent activity in the development of medicines and vaccines, Pfizer maintains close cooperation with the biotech industry and with academia to identify technologies and research that may bring about scientific breakthroughs. The new framework agreement is in line with the Technion's pursuit to promote technological and medical developments by locating new technologies and digital tools that have applied and industrial potential.
"Human health is one of the main challenges facing humanity in the 21st century," he said Technion President Prof. Uri Sion. "Scientific and technological breakthroughs, like other huge challenges, today require multidisciplinary research and close cooperation between academia and industry. We recently launched Tech.AI, a center that consolidates the Technion's biomed activity in the field of AI and makes research and application at the forefront of AI accessible to researchers from all units at the Technion. The partnership with the industry, where the biggest challenges will be revealed, is essential for the success of this initiative and I have no doubt that Pfizer will contribute a lot to this success."
During their visit, the guests met leading researchers from the Technion working in the field of artificial intelligence in the context of human health: Prof. Shai Shen-Or from the Rapaport Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Tomer Shlomi from the Taub Faculty of Computer Science, Dr. Dvir Aran from the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Computer Science Es Taub, Dr. Nega Ron-Harel from the Faculty of Biology and Dr. Uri Shalit from the Faculty of Data and Decision Sciences.
According to Prof. Shai Shen-Or, "The Technion, a leading institution in the field of AI, was ranked first in Europe in this field by CS ranking. The Tech.AI center covers all activities at the Technion in this field. We are very excited about the agreement with Pfizer, which will allow Technion researchers to work closely with industry on real challenges in drug development, will help identify potential AI applications in drug research and development, and will expand the Technion's ability in applied research."
