Three life science groups will collaborate over the next two years on using artificial intelligence to learn from complex data sets and help scientists design and test potential new drugs, by using deep learning methods to create a drug discovery platform that can better predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity of new drug candidates. Optibrium, Intellegens, and Medicines Discovery Catapult will use Optibrium’s StarDrop software and Intellegens’ deep learning toolkit Alchemite to develop AI methods to use across ADMET.

CEO of Optibrium, Matthew Segall, said: “We are delighted to lead this project in collaboration with Medicines Discovery Catapult and Intellegens. We will apply cutting edge deep learning methods and new data to address important challenges in drug optimisation. The funding from Innovate UK is important validation of our project team’s expertise and the impact it will have on the industry’s efficiency and productivity.”

“Three life science groups will collaborate over the next two years on using artificial intelligence to learn from complex data sets and help scientists design and test potential new drugs“

CEO of Intellegens, Ben Pellegrini, said: “Intellegens is extremely excited to be part of this collaboration and looks forward to applying our novel deep learning techniques to help build a next generation platform to improve the drug discovery process.”

Chief informatics officer of the Medicines Discovery Catapult, Professor John Overington, said: “At Medicines Discovery Catapult we apply innovation, working alongside UK SMEs to drive the development and adoption of new approaches for the discovery and early development of new medicines. This collaborative R&D activity will allow us to do just that and the grant from Innovate UK represents an important milestone for the advancement of informatics and data science.”