On Sept. 23, 2025, Variational AI a generative AI drug discovery company, announced a collaboration with Merck to apply Variational AI’s Enki™ platform to design and optimize novel small molecule candidates against two undisclosed targets.

Under the agreement, Variational AI will use a fine-tuned version of its Enki™ platform trained on Merck’s proprietary data to generate and optimize small molecule candidates against therapeutic targets designated by Merck. Merck will have the exclusive right to develop and commercialize compounds arising from the collaboration. Variational AI will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestones with a total potential deal value of up to USD$349 million.

Variational AI’s Enki™ platform is based on a foundation model trained on Variational AI’s internal data, a curated version of the totality of all publicly available data, and proprietary generative models to create and optimize small molecule leads based on partner target product profiles.