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  • September 2023 (Revised April 2024)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Atomwise: Strategic Opportunities in AI for Pharma

By: Satish Tadikonda
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:10
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Abstract

Abraham Heifets and his co-founder, Izhar Wallach, had founded Atomwise to develop i) an AI engine to transform drug discovery by creating better medicines faster, and ii) a machine learning-based discovery engine that combined the power of convolutional neural networks with massive chemical libraries to discover new small molecule medicines. Computational chemists employed at big pharmaceutical companies were interested in trying these engines and associated tools on their projects. On the other hand, Atomwise could keep its tools for itself if it were to become a pharmaceutical company on its own. These options would chart very different courses for Atomwise. The case articulates the dilemma facing Heifets and Wallach, as they contemplated committing to a business model that would leverage the strengths of the technology to deliver value for patients and for investors.

Keywords

Business Model; Business Startups; AI and Machine Learning; Science-Based Business; Technological Innovation; Biotechnology Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry

Citation

Tadikonda, Satish. "Atomwise: Strategic Opportunities in AI for Pharma." Harvard Business School Case 824-043, September 2023. (Revised April 2024.)
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About The Author

Satish K. Tadikonda

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • September 2023 (Revised April 2024)
    • Faculty Research

    Atomwise: Strategic Opportunities in AI for Pharma

    By: Satish Tadikonda
Related Work
  • Atomwise: Strategic Opportunities in AI for Pharma By: Satish Tadikonda
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