NEC reveals design blueprints for COVID-19 vaccines using AI

NEC Corporation, a Japanese multinational electronics and information technology company, has recently revealed analysis results from its ongoing efforts of employing AI prediction platforms for designing blueprints for COVID-19 vaccines.

Reportedly, the project was initiated by NEC group’s scientific teams to assist against COVID-19 outbreaks and strengthen global vaccine development projects, and was led by NEC OncoImmunity (NOI) in partnership with NEC Laboratories Europe (NLE).

Apparently, these prediction solutions are built on the artificial intelligence technology used by both NOI and NEC in the creation of personalized neoantigen cancer therapies.

According to the analysis, which can be found at bioRxiv, the team studied numerous sequences from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and managed to establish epitopes for 100 most regular HLA alleles found amongst the global population.

Moreover, the analysis establishes NEC Group’s important abilities to employ their AI systems to develop blueprints for a vaccine that is both effective and safe for a global population as well as has the ability to address the future and current coronavirus divergent strains.

NEC has decided to publish this research in order to support scientific developments in the field. Meanwhile, it is considering the prospect of beginning partnering efforts to trail the development of a comprehensive therapy that caters to ongoing needs.

Speaking on the development, Motoo Nishihara, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, NEC, said that the company is delighted that its AI technology could play a crucial role in mitigating the ongoing health crisis. NEC is focusing on capitalizing on its research and development activities that would help it improve the strengths of its AI solution in order to combat the spread of coronavirus.

By collaborating with institutions and firms across the globe, the company aims to help people live their regular lives without any fear, added Nishihara.

Source Credit: https://www.nec.com/en/press/202004/global_20200423_01.html