Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken huge leaps in the last decade. From self-guided drone systems to AI-enabled automated cars, we have seen how the technology has transformed various industries.
And now, AI is moving into the pharmaceutical industry with the development of the first drug test.
What is the new AI system?
The new AI system is known as AtomNet. It is an AI platform that helps in drug discovery. The AtomNet team creates 3D models of drug compounds, then uses deep neural networks to better understand their pharmacological properties.
The AI system is a combination of different AI techniques like machine learning, deep learning, and artificial neural networks, which allows it to use large and complex data sets to accurately predict the efficacy of specific compounds.
How does AtomNet work?
AtomNet builds a 3D model of a compound using the molecular structure dataset, which contains information about the chemical structure of different compounds.
The system then evaluates the properties of the compound using Machine Learning algorithms, generating insights helpful in predicting and assessing molecular efficacy, for example, its interaction with certain proteins.
The process uses a technique called convolutional neural networks (CNN) that allows AtomNet to navigate around the molecular structure and identify molecular features in three dimensions.
The AI system then uses the identified information, combined with molecular features, to predict the compound’s efficacy. This is how AtomNet can help to discover whether a molecule has the potential to function as a drug.
How accurate is AtomNet?
AtomNet is among the most accurate AI systems, as it was able to outperform existing computational techniques.
When AtomNet was evaluated against various known drug compounds, it had an accuracy rate of 99.64 percent, with a false-positive rate of 0.25 percent. The accuracy rate is higher than anything ever achieved with other computational models, including docking-based methods and molecular dynamics simulations.
Why is AtomNet significant for the pharmaceutical industry?
AtomNet is a groundbreaking discovery for the pharmaceutical industry. It has the potential to transform the process of drug discovery by helping researchers identify more efficient drug compounds more quickly and inexpensively.
The current drug discovery process is time-consuming, expensive, and only successful in delivering a few drugs to the market, but AtomNet can speed up the process and reduce costs.
What are the implications of AtomNet for drug discovery?
The implications of AtomNet for drug discovery are significant. Below are some of the benefits of the AI system for the pharmaceutical industry:.
1. Decreased drug testing time and cost
The most significant advantage of using AtomNet is the decrease in the time and cost of drug testing. Researchers need to evaluate compounds to determine whether they have the potential to function as a drug.
Current methods of testing compounds usually take between 3-6 years and cost millions of dollars, but AtomNet can identify new drug candidates in days, eliminating the need for expensive and lengthy laboratory analysis.
2. Improved accuracy
The accuracy of AtomNet is high compared to existing methods of testing compounds. It can accurately predict a molecule’s efficacy, toxicity, and other pharmacological properties.
With accuracy improvement, researchers will have more confidence in the compounds being developed, leading to better drug outcomes and efficiency.
3. More efficient drug development
AtomNet can help pharmaceutical companies discover more efficient ways of developing drugs. Researchers can use the AI system to evaluate new compounds and make decisions based on molecular structures.
This will help create successful combinations of drugs that work faster and have fewer side effects for patients, meeting their specific medical needs.
Conclusion
AtomNet is a promising innovation in the drug discovery process. The AI system has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by decreasing drug testing time and costs, improving accuracy, and creating more efficient drug development.
The pharmaceutical companies can use AtomNet to make decisions that result in faster and more effective treatments, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients.