New Frontiers: AI and the Research We Support
MARCH 2025
In our newsletter to you last month, we reported the major announcement by the White House which described development of drug discovery processes utilizing a new technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI). The integration of AI in drug discovery is set to revolutionize a historically expensive and time-consuming process. Traditionally, bringing a single drug to market costs pharmaceutical companies approximately $2.6 billion and takes up to a decade or more (see the chart at left). However, AI-driven approaches such as machine learning (ML) have demonstrated the potential to cut discovery costs by 70%, bringing the total expense to below $700 million. With its ability to process vast datasets rapidly, AI can identify promising drug candidates much faster than human researchers, accelerating the path to FDA approval and addressing the inefficiencies of traditional research and development (R&D) models.
The 5th District AHEPA Cancer Research Foundation has made significant contributions to advancing critical medical discoveries which AI will enhance and magnify, including the pioneering work of Dr. David C. Lyden which we have supported. His research focuses on extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs), microscopic protein packages released by cells that act as biomarkers for detecting cancer at an early stage. Found in abundance within a single vial of blood, EVPs contain specific proteins that signal the presence of cancer. Dr. Lyden’s laboratory has shown how EVPs from tumors not only create environments that promote cancer growth but also offer valuable targets for developing new therapies. By utilizing AI to analyze EVPs from a variety of tissue and plasma samples, his team has identified numerous cancer-associated markers, laying the foundation for innovative diagnostic tools that could transform early detection and treatment strategies for cancer. These blood tests span early cancer detection, real-time monitoring of disease progression, and aiding in the development of targeted therapies
In summary, the adoption of AI in drug discovery promises transformative outcomes which build on the research outcomes this Foundation supports. By reducing R&D costs, enhancing data analysis, and optimizing clinical trial processes, AI has the potential to generate significant economic and medical benefits. Dr. Lyden’s research on EVPs underscores the synergy between AI and cutting-edge science, offering innovative solutions for tackling some of humanity’s most pressing medical challenges. As this technology continues to evolve, its integration across the healthcare ecosystem could unlock groundbreaking treatments and diagnostic tools for a wide range of diseases.
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