BioMed X, an independent biomedical research institute based in Heidelberg, Germany, announced  the launch of a new initiative with Servier. The two partners will implement BioMed X’s proven XSeed Labs incubator model at Servier’s research and development site in Paris-Saclay. This new XSeed Labs – the first of its kind in Europe – will be hosted at the Spartners incubator facility which is operated by BioLabs. XSeed Labs is an adaptation of BioMed X’s unique innovation model by which talented researchers are crowdsourced from the world’s leading academic institutions and embedded within the R&D facilities of pharmaceutical companies.

The first research project at the new XSeed Labs in collaboration with Servier is entitled “New AI-Empowered Platform for Sterically Guided Design of Bispecific Antibodies”. It will focus on the development of an AI-driven platform that enables the rational design of bispecific antibodies by accounting for steric and structural parameters of dual target engagement.

Bispecific antibodies represent an emerging and powerful therapeutic drug class for cancer therapy, as illustrated by the clinical approval of immune cell engagers (ICE) and the upcoming generation of dual-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). However, the success of these agents may be limited by physical constraints. The two binding arms of a bispecific antibody must simultaneously engage their targets under physiological conditions. Steric hindrance, epitope accessibility and spatial dynamics are key limiting factors that currently evade systematic design principles. There is an urgent need for innovative platforms that can rationalize and optimize bispecific antibody architecture with these constraints in mind.

Call for Research Project Proposals

BioMed X and Servier are inviting research project proposals addressing the challenge of sterically guided bispecific antibody design from academic scientists worldwide. Proposals should address the following key challenges:

• Design and training of machine learning models to integrate structural data, binding geometries, and cell surface topology.
• Mapping and prediction of epitope combinations enabling optimal immune synapse formation for ICE and internalization for ADC.
• Development of in-silico simulation tools for dynamic modeling of bispecific antibody engagement under physiological conditions.
• Validation of predictive models through experimental systems and structure-function analyses.

Researchers are encouraged to submit interdisciplinary proposals that combine expertise in antibody engineering, AI/machine learning, structural biology, and immuno-oncology. Projects that demonstrate originality and translational potential will be prioritized. The new research team will join the expanding global network of BioMed X research groups operating at the interface between academia and industry.

Interested researchers are invited to submit their project proposals via the BioMed X Career Space at https://career.bmedx.com/call/2025-XPS-C01 by August 31, 2025.

“We are excited that jointly with our partner Servier, we could expand our successful XSeed Labs model to Europe,” said Dr. Christian Tidona, Founder and CEO of BioMed X. “Following our first XSeed Labs in the US, this is a great validation of our new model, showing that early innovation by academic talents placed inside an established pharma R&D campus is indeed possible and can create significant value for a pharma company’s early R&D pipeline.”

Céline Triquel, Head of R&D Open Innovation at Servier, said: “How to innovate in the way we innovate? We are glad to launch another open innovation model at Servier: We'll have soon the great opportunity to host an XSeed Labs team at Spartners. This is a chance for our current Spartners residents to enrich their community with a different way of innovating thanks to the fantastic crowdsourcing model of BioMed X. This is an incredible opportunity for Servier’s R&D teams who will be in direct and close interaction with the XSeed Labs team. And finally, a chance for the patients as we invest in R&D to speed up our journey towards new therapeutic solutions in oncology.”