[Adobe Stock]
Steps in a new direction
Traditional drug discovery methods first involve screening large dataset libraries. Next in line are hit-to-lead optimization and preclinical testing. This entire process is as time-consuming as it is resource intensive. According to the WHO, the average cost to develop a new drug ranges from US$43.4 million to US$4.2 billion with an overall success rate of clinical drug development of 10%–15%.
AI offers a promising path forward through augmenting human capabilities in analyzing vast datasets, identifying potential drug candidates, predicting clinical outcomes, and optimizing clinical trial design. This technology has already achieved significant milestones. In 2020, Exscientia marked a breakthrough with the first AI-designed drug molecule to enter human clinical trials. Subsequently, DeepMind’s AlphaFold has advanced biological understanding by predicting the structures of more than 200 million proteins.
How successful are AI approaches so far? A 2024 study probed that question, asking in its title: “How successful are AI-discovered drugs in clinical trials?” It concluded that AI-derived molecules have a success rate of 80–90% — substantially higher success rates than historic averages. The analysis also showed that, since 2015, AI-native biotechs and pharma partners have entered 75 molecules into the clinic, of which 67 were in ongoing trials as of 2023. Companies like Insilico Medicine are also making headlines with AI-driven drug candidates advancing through clinical trials.
AI technologies in this context
While AI technology makes headlines, the term can be nebulous. AI techniques encompass machine learning (ML), deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and generative models. Each contributes uniquely to different stages of drug development.
Machine learning (ML) algorithms learn from data to make predictions and decisions. Researchers extensively apply ML to predict drug-target interactions, analyze biological data, and optimize drug formulations. Deep learning, a subset of ML utilizing neural networks, predicts protein structures and interactions, crucial for understanding drug mechanisms. For instance, AlphaFold2 (from Google DeepMind) and ESM3 (from Evozyne, founded by former Meta employees) tap deep learning to predict the structures of nearly all known proteins, transforming our understanding of disease mechanisms. Natural language processing (NLP) allows machines to understand and interpret human language. Scientists use NLP to extract critical information from scientific literature, patents, and clinical trial data, fueling hypothesis generation and knowledge discovery. Generative models are transforming drug discovery by designing novel chemical compounds with specific desired properties. The process can significantly accelerate identifying promising drug candidates.
Finally, Large language models (LLMs) are helping transform drug discovery thanks to their advanced natural language processing capabilities to analyze and generate complex biological and chemical data. LLMs trained on molecular data can generate new structures that meet specific criteria, such as binding affinity and selectivity given their ability to apply the principles of medicinal chemistry encoded in their training data.
Key areas where AI is transforming drug development
In the discovery phase, AI supports target identification and validation by analyzing omics data to find genetic mutations linked to diseases. It also accelerates drug design and optimization using generative models. Techbio companies such as Exscientia and InSilico Medicine have taken a significant step forward by announcing the first AI-designed drug molecule to enter human clinical trials. AI also facilitates biomarker discovery by examining clinical and molecular data to identify biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic response, thus promoting personalized medicine. During preclinical development, AI systems can predict drug candidate toxicity, thus lowering the risk of late-stage failures. They can also predict drug behavior in the body and improve candidate selection.
In the field of genomic medicine, several companies are deploying AI to accelerate the development of complex biotherapeutics. AI-based in silico simulations are used to discover and design optimized payloads and vectors essential for genomic medicine. This combination of AI and genomic medicine holds great promise for advancing personalized treatments and opening new prospects for the future.
A number of companies are also creating AI-powered gene therapy vectors, enhancing their ability to target specific cells using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. This approach not only improves the efficacy of gene therapies but also expands the potential for treating various diseases.
Companies like Asklepios Biopharmaceutical (AskBio) acquired by Bayer exemplify this by integrating AI into their gene therapy development processes to understand gene regulation better and identify new regulatory sequences within genomes. This Techbio approach enhances the efficiency and success rates of developing next-generation gene therapies versus regular biotech companies.
Challenges and roadmap for implementation
Implementing AI in drug development involves several strategic steps and challenges. One of the main considerations is establishing a solid data strategy. Ensuring high-quality, diverse and reliable datasets is essential for training accurate AI models, as the effectiveness of these models relies on the data they are fed. Rigorous validation of AI predictions through in vitro and in vivo validation is crucial to ensure their reliability and applicability in real-world scenarios. Another significant challenge is the deployment and scaling of AI solutions. Integrating AI into existing workflows and scaling its use across various departments require substantial effort and coordination. Continuous evaluation of AI models is also necessary to ensure they remain accurate and relevant with new data, necessitating an ongoing commitment to model maintenance. The human element cannot be neglected. Aligning R&D departments is vital as the degrees of interest and know-how vary within the scientific communities. Awareness is still required as many are still dubitative on the impact of AI on their respective specialization. New expertise is needed, and pharmaceutical companies are competing fiercely for highly sought-after profiles such as computational and structural biologists.
AI’s future in drug development
The use of AI in drug development is primed for continued growth. Pharma companies are increasingly turning to AI in their R&D processes to bolster efficiency and results. This integration takes various forms, including internal development, partnerships, and acquisitions. Improvements in AI algorithms will likely further enhance the predictive accuracy and efficiency of these models. Collaboration between technology-focused biotech firms and established pharmaceutical companies is also poised to accelerate. This partnership combines technological expertise with deep knowledge of pharmaceutical development, ultimately speeding the creation of new treatments. AI is also key to the growth of personalized medicine, enabling the development of treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. This promises improved treatment efficacy and better patient outcomes. The integration of AI into the pharmaceutical industry offers the potential for streamlined drug development, reduced costs, and improved treatments. As AI technology continues to evolve, it promises to usher in an era of more innovative and effective therapies, benefiting patients globally.
References
- Madura KP Jayatunga, Margaret Ayers, Lotte Bruens, Dhruv Jayanth, Christoph Meier, Drug Discovery Today, Volume 29, Issue 6, 2024, How successful are AI-discovered drugs in clinical trials? A first analysis and emerging lessons,
- Heliyon: Qureshi, R., Irfan, M., Gondal, T. M., Khan, S., Wu, J., Hadi, M. U., Heymach, J., Le, X., Yan, H., Alam, T. (2023). AI in drug discovery and its clinical relevance. Heliyon, 9(7), e17575.
- Nature: AI’s potential to accelerate drug discovery needs a reality check, Nature, Springer Nature, Oct. 10, 2023.
- Harvard Law School, Petrie-Flom Center: Chun, M. (Year). How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Drug Discovery.
- McKinsey: Bhandari, M., Chang, A., Devenyns, T., Loche, A., & Van der Veken, L. (2020). How AI can accelerate R&D for cell and gene therapies.
- AlphaFold: Information on the impact of AlphaFold in predicting protein structures.
- Exscientia: Information on the company’s use of generative models in drug discovery.
- Insilico Medicine: Company information on using AI for creating new drug-like molecules.
- Pharmaceutical Collaborations: Details of collaborations between companies like Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, NVIDIA, and Recursion in AI-driven drug discovery.
- Clinical Trials: Information on how AI is used in patient recruitment and trial design from various clinical research studies and articles.
Authors
Timothé Cynober, Pharm.D. is the global head of business development and licensing while David Del Bourgo, MBA is the CEO and co-founder of WhiteLab Genomics.
Filed Under: Data science, Drug Discovery and Development
