Amgen builds generative AI models for human data analysis and drug discovery

Amgen, a prominent biotechnology company, is launching Project Freyja, a groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with NVIDIA. This venture aims to expedite drug discovery and development through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) insights derived from one of the world's largest human datasets. Named after the Norse goddess of prediction, the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD will play a central role in this project, enhancing the capabilities of Amgen researchers.

Project Freyja's Human Diversity Atlas will map the landscape of human genetic variation, creating a comprehensive atlas for identifying drug targets and disease-specific biomarkers. This endeavour lays the foundation for personalised medicine, tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup. Equipped with AI capabilities, Amgen researchers will leverage Freyja to develop precision medicine models, potentially leading to the creation of individualised therapies for various serious diseases. Additionally, by identifying novel biomarkers, Freyja aims to facilitate the development of accurate and efficient diagnostics for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.

The NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, a computing powerhouse with 248 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, will enable Amgen to train advanced AI models in a matter of days, significantly accelerating data analysis and discovery. Project Freyja will leverage deCODE genetics' extensive library of de-identified human data, exceeding 200 petabytes and encompassing nearly 3 million individuals. This vast resource offers a unique perspective on human diversity and its role in health and disease. The collaboration between Amgen and NVIDIA reflects a commitment to combining technology and biotechnology to usher in a new era of drug discovery.