Eli Lilly and OpenAI team up to fight drug-resistant bacteria

American drug maker Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) is entering a collaboration with OpenAI, using AI to develop new antimicrobials targeting drug-resistant bacteria.

The company announced it will use OpenAI's generative AI capabilities to discover these novel medicines.

Eli Lilly highlighted that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, which it said is worsened by misuse and overuse of antimicrobials.

It aims to bring 2 to 4 new antibiotics to patients by 2030 through the AI initiative.

"Our collaboration with OpenAI represents a groundbreaking step forward in the fight against the growing but overlooked threat of antimicrobial resistance," said Diogo Rau, Eli Lilly’s chief information and digital officer.

Brad Lightcap, OpenAI chief operating officer, meanwhile, added: "Advanced AI has the potential to deliver innovative breakthroughs in pharma, and we're committed to working together with industry leaders to deliver tangible benefits for patients."