As we speak, the way that drugs are created is changing. The process of discovering and approvating new drugs can be a long and tedious one that takes years to develop and has a low success rate. Artificial intelligence (AI), however, could speed up this process.
Google Cloud has launched on May 15 two AI-powered tools to speed the discovery and advancement of drugs for biotech companies and pharmaceuticals: Target and lead Identification Suite and Multiomics suite.
Currently, developing a new drug from the idea to the rollout of a finished product takes 12-15 years and can cost over $1 billion, according to a BioIT World Conference, held May 16-18, at the Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts. The event featured speakers from Pfizer Inc. Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Harvard Medical School.
CNBC reported, that Target and Lead ID Suite was designed to assist biotech companies and pharmaceutical firms predict and understand protein structure. Proteins are a key component of drug discovery. Scientists can securely share molecular information on proteins using Google Cloud ‘s Analytics Hub.
The researchers then predict the protein structure using AlphaFold2 a machine-learning model created by Google subsidiary. AlphaFold2 is based on Google’s VertexAI platform, which allows researchers to create and deploy machine-learning models more quickly.
AlphaFold2 is able to predict with great accuracy the three-dimensional structure of a particular protein in “minutes”.
Multiomics Suite will, however, help researchers to ingest and store large amounts of genomic information, as well as analyze, share, and analyse it. The suite is designed to help researchers analyze genomic data.
CNBC reported that Colossal Biosciences is a biotechnology firm that aims to reverse extinction by using DNA and genetics.
Scientists can now sequence DNA in a fraction of the time that it would take to analyze and decipher it. Thanks to technological advances, we can now access genomic information in fields like genetic variants associated with diseases.
Google’s tools may transform certain businesses. The investigation of new drugs (INDs), in Biotech, often overlaps the industry for cannabis.
Shweta is the global director for Google Cloud’s life sciences solutions and strategy. Maniar said CNBC that “we’re helping organisations get the medicines to people quicker.” I am very happy about this, as myself and my team have worked on it for several years.
A biological target is the first step in drug development. It’s what you use to design your treatment. The most common biological target is the protein. This building block for diseases and life forms. To find the target, scientists must first identify the protein’s structure, as this determines the function of the disease.
Maniar explained that if you understand protein structure, function and roles, you can now start developing drugs around them.
If technology continues to advance, the AI market could reach trillions of dollars. Google released OpenAI ChatGPT in late 2021 and chatbot Bard, in February.
The first time High Times published the article Google Cloud launches AI tools to speed up drug development process.
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