AI revolutionises drug discovery with promising new treatments
Recursion Pharmaceuticals is using AI to uncover new drug targets, with one cancer treatment already in early-stage human trials.

AI is transforming the way new medicines are developed, with AI-powered drug discovery advancing at an unprecedented pace. Insilico Medicine, a US-based biotech firm, has designed an experimental treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) using AI to identify a potential drug target and generate molecules. The approach significantly reduced the time and resources needed, with the drug discovery process taking 18 months instead of the usual four years.
AI-driven methods are being adopted by both startups and major pharmaceutical companies to accelerate drug development. Insilico Medicine has multiple drug candidates in clinical trials, while Recursion Pharmaceuticals is using AI to analyse vast biological datasets and uncover new treatment possibilities. A molecule designed by Recursion to target lymphoma and solid tumours has already entered human trials, demonstrating the growing potential of AI in medical research.
Despite the progress, experts note that AI-discovered drugs have yet to complete full clinical trials. The technology faces challenges, particularly in data availability and bias, but researchers remain optimistic. As AI continues to refine drug discovery, many believe it will lead to faster, more cost-effective treatments and a higher success rate in bringing new medicines to market.