San Diego-based startup Nanome has announced the launch of its generative AI copilot called MARA, which allows scientists to understand 3D molecular structures in virtual reality. MARA serves as an assistant for chemists working in biopharma research and development, providing valuable insights and executing routine tasks. The AI assistant is accessible through a ChatGPT-like web interface and can provide informative responses to scientific queries.
The launch of MARA comes at a time when the potential of AI in critical areas such as drug discovery is being questioned. However, Nanome’s CEO, Steve McCloskey, believes that MARA can be tailored to meet the unique needs of any lab, whether it’s a prestigious research facility or a biotech startup. The company plans to develop a more comprehensive version of MARA that will serve scientists in virtual environments.
In addition to the MARA announcement, Nanome is also hosting an exclusive executive event called AI Unleashed for enterprise data leaders. The event aims to provide insights and networking opportunities for senior executives overseeing data stacks and strategies.
So, what can scientists expect from MARA? Similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, scientists can input their questions into a text window, and MARA will use large language models and real-time data and simulation systems to provide meaningful answers in a conversational tone. The AI assistant has a wide range of capabilities, including exploring, preparing, and rectifying various molecular file formats, performing complex processes across tools and databases, and empowering chemists to explore new theories and ideas.
MARA’s platform also allows organizations to integrate custom molecular simulation tools, databases, electronic lab notebooks, and more. The tool provides hallucination-free answers by using language models strictly for planning and reasoning, ensuring scientifically accurate information. This transparency and scientific confidence set MARA apart from other systems that may still hallucinate.
Nanome has received an overwhelmingly positive response from chemists and biologists during the initial testing phase of MARA. Leading pharma companies, who are long-time users of Nanome’s XR platform, have started using the new AI assistant. The company plans to optimize MARA for biopharma R&D and expand its capabilities to work with genetics data, clinical data, material science data, and other scientific disciplines.
The ultimate goal for Nanome is to ensure that MARA is transparent, accountable, and aligns with the needs of its users to gain trust and widespread adoption. The company is dedicated to providing transformative enterprise technology and facilitating knowledge sharing among technical decision-makers.
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