AI round-up: the expanding influence of AI in drug discovery

Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence demonstrated by animals (including humans). According to a report by IDTechEx, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the drug discovery process is promising to drastically cut down timelines and costs of bringing new therapies to patients. They say the potential for AI to address these pain points has drawn significant attention from investors and players in the pharmaceutical industry. Naheed Kurji, Co-founder and Executive of the Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH), CEO of Cyclica and Andreas Windemuth, Chief Science Officer of Cyclica, said in an article written for DDW: “Over the past decade, a new industry has arisen that seeks to apply artificial intelligence (AI), or more aptly machine learning (ML) technologies, to healthcare. This surge was driven by methodological advances, increased computing power, and increased availability of data.” Read their full article, “Opportunities and challenges for AI in drug discovery”. Similarly, Dr Lotfi Chouchane and Dr Javaid Sheikh from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar outlined the challenges and opportunities ahead for drug discovery in an article, “Precision medicine in the era of artificial intelligence”, of which there is also a free-to-listen DDW podcast episode available to listen to here. DDW’s Megan Thomas has rounded up DDW-reported stories throughout 2021 about the successes of AI in drug discovery as well as trends, predictions and analysis by industry experts. 1. Half of pharma believes AI can help bring new drugs to market faster New research reveals that 50% of European and US pharmaceutical manufacturing companies know artificial intelligence (AI) can help bring new drugs to market more rapidly and securely, but 96% face challenges with using it to derive value from their data. 2. BioIVT enhances its website to facilitate drug and diagnostic R&D BioIVT has added advanced tissue, biofluid and cell search and e-commerce capabilities to its website, which is enabling customers to mine its biospecimen repository and related clinical database using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications to advance scientific knowledge of different diseases. 3. Bristol Myers Squibb develops Exscientia’s drug candidate Exscientia has announced that Bristol Myers Squibb has elected to in-license its immune-modulating drug candidate. Exscientia has two active collaborations with Bristol Myers Squibb, which together focus on multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology and immunology. A significant expansion of the relationship was announced earlier this year. 4. Human studies begin on AI Covid-19 treatment with up to 97% effectiveness Covid-19 patients, known as SM-19. In vitro and in vivo assays conducted by the IIT Research Institute (IITRI) in Chicago showed significant efficacy in reducing viral load of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. 5. AI in drug discovery will be worth $4.05 billion by 2028 The global artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery market size is expected to reach US$4.05 billion by 2028 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report “Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Therapeutic Area (Oncology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Diseases, Infectious Disease, Others); By Application; By Regions; Segment Forecast, 2021 – 2028” gives insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth. 6. Charles River and Valence partner to provide AI-enabled drug design Charles River Laboratories and Valence Discovery have teamed up to provide clients access to Valence’s artificial intelligence platform for molecular property prediction, generative chemistry, and multiparameter optimisation. 7. NovAliX partners with Chemical.AI to develop artificial intelligence toolkit for drug discovery NovAliX, a drug discovery-focused contract research organisation (CRO), and Chemical.AI, an artificial intelligence (AI) company leveraging human expertise and cutting-edge AI technology for chemistry and pharmaceuticals, have created a strategic It is hoped that the affiliation will help create the most relevant AI solutions for drug developers.