Abu Dhabi researchers use AI to identify potential blood cancer drug
In short
Researchers at Insilico Medicine in Abu Dhabi used artificial intelligence to identify compounds that could be developed into treatments for blood cancer, with findings published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Aletihad reported the company said two compounds, ISM-PR25 and ISM-PR44, degraded the BTK protein in malignant B cells, with mouse tests showing 26% and 29% efficacy respectively. The National reported the substances are PROTACs that destroy the BTK protein rather than binding to it temporarily, and that Insilico says AI can cut the time needed to select a drug candidate.
Why it matters
The documents present the work as an early-stage discovery that has not yet been shown to work in humans, and The National reported that nine out of 10 potential drugs that reach human testing fail to become approved medicines. Both outlets frame AI as a way to shorten research timelines, which Insilico says could increase success rates and reduce costs. Aletihad quoted the company's president as saying its ambition in Abu Dhabi is to build a team that originates new medicines and contributes to international drug discovery.
Key facts
- Insilico Medicine, a clinical-stage biotechnology company with scientists based in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, used artificial intelligence in research that identified compounds against blood cancer. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The compounds target Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a protein that supports the growth and survival of malignant cells in blood cancers. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Aletihad reported the company said it developed two compounds, ISM-PR25 and ISM-PR44, and that trials in mice showed 26% efficacy for ISM-PR25 and 29% for ISM-PR44. [ 2 ]
- The National reported the newly discovered substances are PROTACs, double-ended molecules that drag a target protein to the cell's disposal system and destroy it, in this case BTK in some leukaemias and lymphomas. [ 1 ]
- The National reported that Insilico typically takes 12 to 18 months to select a potential drug for further testing before human trials, compared with two and a half to four years using traditional methods. [ 1 ]
- Aletihad reported Insilico Medicine is backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and quoted its president, Alex Aliper, saying the company's ambition in Abu Dhabi is to build a team that can originate new medicines and contribute to international drug discovery. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Insilico Medicine, a biotechnology company with scientists based in Abu Dhabi, used artificial intelligence in research that identified compounds targeting the BTK protein for the treatment of blood cancer. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The research findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the compounds have entered human clinical trials. Aletihad said the drugs are currently in the trials phase, while The National described them as lead compounds and said tests to determine whether they can enter clinical trials were still under way; Aletihad's efficacy figures come from trials in mice.
- The reported efficacy figures of 26% for ISM-PR25 and 29% for ISM-PR44. Only Aletihad reports these numbers, attributing them to Insilico, and the documents give no independent confirmation or detail on how efficacy was measured.
- How the new molecules are classified. The National describes them as PROTACs, while Aletihad describes them as Bruton's tyrosine kinase degraders; the documents do not reconcile the two descriptions.
- When or whether the compounds will reach human testing and approval. The National's article text is truncated at the point where it discusses tests to determine whether the compounds can enter clinical trials.