Novartis struck a strategic collaboration with UK AI‑driven biotech Relation Therapeutics, sending $55 million in upfront payments, an equity stake and R&D funding to accelerate targets for atopic and immune dysregulation diseases. Relation will lead functional genomics and human tissue studies while Novartis gains worldwide development and commercialization rights. The pact includes up to $1.7 billion in milestones plus tiered royalties, and marries Relation’s patient-derived multiomics and Lab‑in‑the‑Loop platform with Novartis’s immuno‑dermatology development engine. "Lab‑in‑the‑Loop" refers to an iterative workflow combining AI predictions with rapid experimental validation to speed target nomination and reduce false leads.