AI Proteins and Astellas agree an AI-designed miniprotein collaboration and license worth over $400 million

AI Proteins announced a research collaboration and license agreement with an affiliate of Astellas Pharma: AI Proteins will use its AI-driven platform to design and optimize de novo miniprotein candidates against undisclosed targets, exclusively licensed to Astellas, which takes over development, approval and commercialization. AI Proteins is eligible for over $400 million in upfront and milestone payments plus royalties. Announced 21 October 2026.