Exscientia, an AI-driven pharmaceutical technology company, presented its integrated approach to drug discovery, leveraging robotics and AI to automate the end-to-end workflow. The presentation took place at the ELRIG Drug Discovery 2024 meeting in London, UK.
AI-Driven Efficiency in Drug Design
Martin Redhead from Exscientia noted the increasing number of AI-designed molecules entering clinical trials since 2016. Citing a Boston Consulting Group publication, Redhead highlighted early data showing an impressive 80% Phase I success rate for AI-designed molecules, compared to the traditional industry average of 15%.
Automation for Complex Targets
Exscientia's automated system prioritizes flexibility to accommodate a variety of assays, rather than focusing solely on high-throughput screening (HTS). This approach enables rapid testing and a deeper understanding of complex targets and mechanisms.
"Traditional assaying automation is focused on HTS, and that means a human will look after the stocks and take them out of freezers. A human will prepare them on the bench. A human will load up the robot, and the robot will do the same assay over and over and over at scale," Redhead explained, emphasizing the shift towards more versatile automation.
Increased Productivity, Not Replacement
Exscientia recently unveiled a 26,000ft² robotic laboratory in Oxfordshire, UK. According to Redhead, the company has used AI to design four molecules in the last five years, all offering therapeutic classes with reduced human involvement. He emphasized that AI is intended to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. "People often tell me that they are worried AI is going to take their job. What I think is exactly the opposite, it’s going to make you a lot more efficient. It is going to make you better at your job."
Investment in AI-Led Drug Discovery
Biotechs with AI-led drug pipelines are attracting increased investment. In 2021, Bristol-Myers Squibb signed a $1.2 billion AI drug discovery deal with Exscientia to develop small molecules. GlobalData analysis projects the AI market in healthcare will reach $908.7 billion by 2030.
