Audio version
PMWC 2025 brought together a diverse mix of experts—data scientists, platform companies, researchers tackling rare diseases, investors, and non-profit organizations—all focused on advancing precision medicine.
Arnout Van Hyfte, Head of Products & Platform at BioStrand, and Dr. Shuji Sato, VP of Innovative Solutions at IPA, represented our team at PMWC 2025, diving into engaging discussions with researchers, industry leaders, and innovators. Arnout took the stage at the AI & Data Sciences Showcase, sharing practical insights on how blending AI with in vivo, in vitro, and in silico workflows is reshaping drug discovery, making it more efficient and data-driven.
What everyone was talking about
One of the hottest topics at PMWC 2025 was the importance of accurate and rapid diagnostic assays, where antibodies could deliver the required specificity and sensitivity. There’s a growing need for high-quality antibodies to detect disease biomarkers, generating richer datasets that provide deeper insight into disease progression. But as the complexity of data increases, managing and integrating it efficiently becomes just as critical as generating it.
Arnout Van Hyfte from BioStrand, presenting "Accelerating Drug Discovery: Integrating In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Workflows"
The shift to single-cell techniques
We’re seeing a clear shift in how researchers are characterizing patients. DNA and RNA sequencing have become standard tools, and the next big step is single-cell analysis. By examining patients at the cellular level, researchers can better stratify diseases and develop more precise treatments. But working with this level of detail comes with challenges—more data means more complexity.
This is where smarter data integration becomes crucial. Making sense of diverse datasets and identifying meaningful connections can lead to faster, more effective decision-making in drug development. At BioStrand and IPA, we’re helping researchers turn raw data into actionable insights by linking diverse biological data layers seamlessly.
Making sense of complex data and targets
As drug discovery advances, researchers are dealing with increasingly complex human targets that don’t have straightforward animal model counterparts. This is where making sense of vast amounts of biological data becomes even more crucial. BioStrand’s HYFT™ technology plays a key role here—linking sequence data to structural and functional information to map complex relationships across life science data layers. By integrating HYFT with AI models, researchers can explore deeper biological insights that support target identification and validation. In silico techniques enable the construction of surrogate models that represent intricate disease pathways, aiding preclinical development while optimizing time and resources. Combined with HYFT-driven insights, this approach helps refine drug discovery strategies.
Precision is also essential in antibody discovery. The demand for highly specific and sensitive antibodies continues to rise, not just for diagnostics but also for reagents that keep pace with technological advancements in screening and disease characterization. Engineering these antibodies to work effectively in a single iteration helps ensure they keep up with the latest screening technologies and research needs.
Arnout Van Hyfte, Head of Products & Platform at BioStrand, and Dr. Shuji Sato, VP of Innovative Solutions at IPA
A future built on collaboration
PMWC 2025 wasn’t just about the science—it highlighted the shift toward end-to-end models in the industry. Platform companies are seeking collaboration, researchers need more integrated solutions, and the focus is increasingly on seamless, end-to-end approaches.
At BioStrand and IPA, we’re bridging the gaps in drug discovery by combining AI, in silico modeling, and deep biological expertise. The key takeaway from this year’s conference? Precision medicine isn’t just about data—it’s about making that data work smarter for better, faster discoveries.
Let’s talk about how we can support your research. Reach out and let’s explore new possibilities together.
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