Artificial intelligence matches drugs to patients

Israeli health-tech firm Genetika+ is using a combination of stem cell technology and artificial intelligence (AI) software to best match antidepressants to patients. The technology involves generating brain cells from a patient's blood sample, exposing these to several antidepressants and recording changes called "biomarkers". This information, along with a patient's medical history and genetic data, is processed by AI to determine the best drug for a doctor to prescribe and the correct dosage. Although the technology is still in the development stage, Genetika+ intends to launch commercially next year. The company has secured funding from the European Union and is working with pharmaceutical firms to develop new precision drugs. There are more than 280 million people globally who suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization. While antidepressants may not be the correct treatment for all, it is estimated that almost two-thirds of initial prescriptions for depression or anxiety may not work properly. AI expert Dr Heba Sailem says the potential for AI to transform the pharmaceutical industry is huge, but fellow expert Calum Chace says the take-up of AI across the sector remains "a slow process". He adds that pharma companies are huge, and any significant change in the way they do research and development will affect many people in different divisions. However, Insilico Medicine, a Hong Kong-based firm, is using AI to accelerate drug discovery. Its most developed drug, a treatment for a lung condition called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is now being clinically trialled. CEO Alex Zhavoronkov says AI has helped the firm develop new drugs more quickly and cost-effectively.