ACROBiosystems Introduces CHO-Direct and ACRO AIx to Accelerate AI-driven Drug Discovery

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, ACROBiosystems unveiled its latest innovation portfolio—ACRO AIx, CHO-Direct and GlobalLifeShip cross border supply chain to respond the demand of AIDD era.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into drug discovery, the design and screening of candidate molecules are becoming more efficient. Experimental validation is emerging as a critical link between computational predictions and R&D decisions. In AI-driven Drug Discovery (AIDD), rapidly generating candidate sequences is only the starting point. Obtaining reliable, reproducible experimental data in a timely manner—and using those data to assess function and development potential—is essential to advancing research programs.

To address this need, ACROBiosystems is introducing the CHO-Direct Rapid High-Throughput Affinity Validation Service and ACRO AIx, expanding its portfolio of products and experimental validation capabilities for AI-driven drug discovery. CHO-Direct provides a rapid entry point for candidate validation, delivering affinity data for antibodies in as little as four days from sequence submission. ACRO AIx brings together standardized products, reproducible validation modules, and experimental tools to build wet-lab infrastructure for AI-enabled research across the industry. As one of its core applications, CHO-Direct connects with R&D workflows through open interfaces.

CHO-Direct Provides a Four-Day Fast-Track Entry Point to an End-to-End AIDD Validation Workflow

In AI-driven antibody discovery, computational approaches can rapidly generate large numbers of candidate sequences, while downstream expression and testing often struggle to keep pace, limiting the efficiency of candidate screening and model iteration. To address these challenges, ACROBiosystems is launching the CHO-Direct Rapid High-Throughput Affinity Validation Service. Using an optimized CHO cell system and an efficient workflow, the service delivers affinity data for antibodies in as little as four days from sequence submission. It draws on the protein-folding and post-translational modification environment of mammalian cells and maintains continuity with CHO systems commonly used in downstream development and manufacturing, creating a rapid, digital validation workflow from sequence input to structured data output.

For pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and AIDD research teams, CHO-Direct offers more than faster access to affinity data. It provides a consistent experimental pathway for evaluating computational predictions. Standardized validation enables candidates to undergo experimental assessment earlier, helping teams focus their R&D resources on candidates that warrant further investigation.

Rapid validation is the entry point. ACROBiosystems has established a portfolio of products and tools covering more than 5,000 target proteins and over 300 challenging membrane protein targets. The company is also expanding its high-throughput TR-FRET kits for functional pathway inhibition screening and reporter cell lines available for commercial licensing worldwide. These capabilities extend into cellular function and higher-order models, supporting a multidimensional, multilevel AIDD validation platform spanning proteins, cells, and organoids.

Validation can then extend to cellular and higher-order models. Using overexpression, knockout, and reporter cell lines, researchers can assess cell binding, internalization, immune activation, and pathway modulation to investigate candidate function and mechanism of action. Human 3D organoid models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), including heart, brain, skin, and kidney models, can support efficacy, dose-response, and related functional assessments, providing early experimental data with greater biological relevance. Results across these levels complement one another, providing a more comprehensive experimental basis for continued candidate optimization and advancement decisions.

ACRO AIx Builds Wet-Lab Infrastructure for Biopharmaceutical Research in the AI for Science Era

Building on the rapid validation capabilities provided by CHO-Direct, ACRO AIx addresses broader needs for experimental reproducibility, data connectivity, and workflow coordination in AI-enabled R&D. CHO-Direct is a directly accessible, standardized validation service within this infrastructure. ACRO AIx encompasses a wider range of products, tools, and multilevel validation capabilities, allowing research teams to choose how to engage according to their laboratory resources and project stage.

In addition to using the CHO-Direct service, customers can adopt the CHO-Direct Tool Set, comprising high-expression CHO cell lines, dedicated culture media, and transfection reagents, to reproduce the expression system in their own laboratories. For VHHs, small proteins, and early-stage high-throughput exploration, ACROBiosystems plans to introduce the CFS Tool Kit, using cell-free expression to support more flexible experimental needs. Tools such as ExpSolPredictor and SeqOptimizer bring experimental insights upstream into sequence design. Drawing on accumulated expression data, they predict soluble expression performance and inform sequence optimization related to expression yield, stability, and aggregation risk.

Connecting products and data is another integral component of ACRO AIx. The AIDD-Ready protein library provides researchers with in-stock target proteins, tools for challenging membrane protein targets, and custom development support for new target proteins. Planned open APIs will connect inventory and lead-time information, structured product parameters, lot-specific quality reports, and order fulfillment status, enabling AI tools and R&D workflows to access relevant product and data capabilities. Together with a tiered validation framework spanning proteins, cells, and organoids, ACROBiosystems AIx aims to create more seamless connections between computational design, experimental execution, and data feedback.

Beyond early-stage drug discovery, ACRO AIx also extends into AI4CMC, the application of AI to pharmaceutical development and manufacturing processes. To address efficiency, reliability, and cost needs in biologics manufacturing, ACROBiosystems is developing a portfolio of key materials, including cytokines, enzymes that tolerate specific process conditions, AI protein-enhanced culture media, and novel affinity ligands. The company has already begun working with selected partners to advance AI-designed proteins toward larger-scale industrial applications.

ACRO AIx is positioned as open infrastructure serving the industry. ACROBiosystems provides products, tools, validation, and fulfillment capabilities. It does not develop its own drug pipeline or undertake complete, end-to-end R&D projects; customers retain their molecules, intellectual property, and associated data. This approach enables the company to support the needs of different research teams and help customers integrate experimental capabilities into their own R&D operations.

GlobalLifeShip cross border supply chain serving global market

ACROBiosystems is also introducing the GlobalLifeShip cross border supply chain. The platform's capabilities include cross-border transportation, overseas warehousing, and last-mile delivery available to partners. Drawing on ACROBiosystems' supply chain and global hubs built through serving life science customers worldwide, the platform supports partners in entering and serving international markets, complementing the company's research products and experimental validation capabilities.

About ACROBiosystems

ACROBiosystems Group, founded in 2010 and listed in 2021, is a biotechnology company aimed at being a cornerstone of the global biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries by providing innovative products and business models. The company spans across the globe and maintains offices, R&D centers, and production bases in more than 15 different cities within the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany. ACROBiosystems Group has established numerous long-term and stable partnerships with the world's top pharmaceutical enterprises, including Pfizer, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson, and numerous well-known academic institutes. The company comprises several subsidiaries such as ACROBiosystems, bioSeedin, Condense Capital, and ACRODiagnostics.

ACROBiosystems' brands include Resilient Supply, CytoPak, SAFENSURE, FLAG, Star Staining, Aneuro, ComboX, GENPower and many others. Its main products and services are recombinant proteins, kits, antibodies, scientific services, and other related products. ACROBiosystems employs a strict quality control system for its products that are used in biopharmaceutical research and development, production, and clinical application. This includes targeted discovery and validation, candidate drug screening/optimization, CMC development and pilot production, preclinical research, clinical trials, commercial production, and clinical application of companion diagnostics.

Through the continuous development of new technologies and products, ACROBiosystems Group creates value for the global pharmaceutical industry and actively empowers our partners. The company is dedicated to accelerating the drug development process, including targeted therapies, immunotherapeutic drugs, and their clinical applications, and contributes to global health.

SOURCE ACROBiosystems