Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) announced it will support the introduction and implementation of Benchling's AI platform for research and development at two Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. research sites in Japan — Tokyo Research Park and Fuji Research Park.

Under the arrangement, Cognizant will provide end-to-end support including platform setup, data migration, system implementation and ongoing maintenance. The deployment is intended to give researchers in Kyowa Kirin's Research Division a unified environment for experiment planning, data collection and AI-assisted workflows.

Benchling connects directly with laboratory instruments to capture data automatically as structured, searchable records. The platform is also expected to support molecular design, access to historical experimental data, report generation and analysis of relationships across research activities.

Kyowa Kirin is a Japan-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on bone and mineral disorders, hematologic diseases, hemato-oncology and rare diseases. The company operates three research facilities worldwide and is pursuing modalities including advanced antibody technologies and hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy.

Kyowa Kirin said it sought a platform capable of supporting automation and AI at scale, along with an experienced implementation partner. The company stated it aims to enhance cost predictability and enable flexible cost management by receiving products and services under a single contract.

"Through the implementation of Benchling under the partnership with Cognizant, we expect to promote the standardization of workflows and the structuring of data in research environments," said Takashi Shimada, Head of Research Division at Kyowa Kirin. "By enhancing the entire research process, we aim to establish a next-generation drug discovery foundation capable of continuously creating innovative new medicines."

Sajith Wickramasekara, co-founder and CEO of Benchling, noted that "in biopharma research and development, the speed and quality of research cycles have a direct impact on patients."

Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.