From designing drugs with a simple text prompt to running experiments guided by extended reality, a new wave of agentic AI is transforming the modern lab. Our editors discuss the latest autonomous systems accelerating biological discovery. In business deals, Gilead Sciences has acquired Tubulis in a transaction worth up to $5 billion, strengthening the buyer’s position in antibody–drug conjugates for cancer. Correspondingly, Eli Lilly and Biogen are each making billion-dollar-plus bets, acquiring Centessa, a sleep disorder drug developer, and Apellis, known for its work in immunology and rare diseases. Our episode rounds out by unpacking the dynamic obesity drug market, where intensifying competition from Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is prompting Lilly to temper the 2026 sales outlook for its oral obesity drug, Foundayo.
Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Fay Lin, PhD and Alex Philippidis for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Can AI Agents Automate Scientific Discovery?
By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, April 1, 2026
Gilead to Acquire Tubulis for Up to $5B, Expanding Cancer ADC Capabilities
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 7, 2026
Lilly Acquires Centessa for Up to $7.8B; Biogen Buys Apellis for Up to $6.1B
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, March 31, 2026
StockWatch: Price War Dampens Lilly Surge After Oral GLP-1 Wins FDA Nod
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, April 5, 2026
Touching Base Podcast
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Behind the Breakthroughs
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
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