Insilico Medicine has announced that its AI-designed drug for COVID-19, ISM3312, has entered clinical trials in China. This marks a significant milestone as one of the first AI-generated therapeutics to reach this stage of development. Preclinical studies have indicated that ISM3312 significantly reduces viral load and inflammation in the lungs, offering a potential new approach to combatting COVID-19.
Targeting 3CLpro Protease
The drug functions by inhibiting the 3CLpro protease, a key enzyme in SARS-CoV-2. This protease is essential for viral replication, making it an attractive therapeutic target. "The target is a great target... it's very dissimilar of those that we in the human body actually have, so it's a good target," said Dr. Peter Juni of Oxford University.
Insilico leveraged AI to develop and test a molecule that can effectively bind to and inhibit the 3CLpro protease. The AI was able to identify patterns and design a molecule that fits into the protease's pockets, forming the basis for ISM3312.
Potential Advantages Over Existing Treatments
Current treatment options for COVID-19, such as Paxlovid and Evusheld, have limitations. Some have shown reduced efficacy against emerging variants, leading to the FDA pulling authorization for Evusheld. ISM3312's mechanism of action, targeting a protease common to many coronaviruses, suggests it could be effective against a broader range of variants and even other coronaviruses.
Cautious Optimism
Despite the promising preclinical results, experts emphasize the need for caution. "It's a good start but there's a long time to go until we know whether it's safe in humans, and whether it actually works," Juni noted. The clinical trials will be crucial in determining the safety and efficacy of ISM3312 in humans.
