Researchers have applied AI to every step of the drug development process. But this might not be enough to design safe and effective drugs.
Science has a need to verify results, but DeepMind’s protein prediction tool doesn’t work this way.
The AI model can predict structures for a vast array of the proteins used by living organisms.
There are many ways to kill microbes that cause dangerous infections. Combining genetic screening with machine learning can help researchers identify new antimicrobials.
Ancient microbes likely produced natural products their descendants today do not. Tapping into this lost chemical diversity could offer a potential source of new drugs.
Despite technological advancements, many challenges remain in getting a drug from lab to pharmacy shelf. Reframing what is a “medicine” could expand treatment options for researchers and patients.
With the dual threats of antibiotic resistance and emerging pandemics, finding new drugs becomes even more urgent. A trove of medicines may be lying under our nose.
Many approved drugs work on the body in ways that researchers still aren’t entirely clear about. Seeing this as an opportunity instead of a flaw may lead to better treatments for complex conditions.
While technological advancements have quickened the drug discovery process, some chemical compounds remain a common thorn in a researcher’s side.
Regulatory loopholes for research conducted off US soil allow for questionable trials and misleading data to slip under the FDA’s radar.
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