As AI-designed drug looks to pass final hurdle, will this tech change drug discovery forever?

No drug designed by artificial intelligence has ever entered a phase 3 clinical trial, the final hurdle before regulatory approval. This could soon change, however. A small molecule from InSilico Medicine that targets a chronic lung disease could enter this final stage within the next year or two.

The company reported a 71-patient study in China in June showing that the molecule, rentosertib, was safe and well-tolerated. This is the most advanced investigational drug in which the biological target and therapeutic compound were discovered using AI.