Why cross-sector collaboration in AI is the key to unlocking new medicines

By Caleb Meath, ABPI Innovation and Research Policy Manager, and Grace Ford Innovation Lead for Medicines, Innovate UK

Why AI is transformative for medicines discovery in the UK

Developing a new medicine is traditionally a long, complex and expensive process. By analysing vast datasets, AI algorithms can identify novel medicine targets, predict molecular behaviour, and optimise medicine design at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. While not a silver bullet, AI focuses research efforts on the most promising compounds with the highest likelihood of clinical success.

Accelerating the discovery phase allows researchers to bring compounds to clinical trials faster and with a better chance of succeeding, ultimately bringing safer and more effective treatments to patients faster.

The UK is in a prime position to take advantage of this AI revolution. We have a unique ecosystem that combines world-class academic institutions, a thriving landscape of innovative technology companies, and a strong multinational pharmaceutical presence. Positioning the UK to take advantage of these strengths however requires ensuring they do not operate in silo, can access relevant data sets, have the right funding arrangements and a supportive regulatory ecosystem.

On 19 February, UKRI published the AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework. This provides a clear direction to support the national agenda for AI as set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan and AI for Science Strategy including the mission to “accelerate drug discovery to develop trials-ready drugs within 100 days by 2030 and contribute to deploying new treatments faster.”

This is supported by Innovate UK’s new Turning Breakthrough Ideas into Industry Giants prospectus which aligns with the UK government's Modern Industrial Strategy, where the life sciences are identified as a key growth sector and AI as a critical frontier technology.

This ambition is already being delivered through programmes such as Frontier AI Discovery, bringing together large-scale consortia to develop UK‑led foundation models and frontier AI capabilities, including in AI‑enabled health and life sciences.

Simultaneously, the pharmaceutical industry continues to make UK and international investments which will empower the next generation of AI toolsets and use cases while the ABPI supports policy development to enhance the UK ecosystem for R&D and innovative medicines, including ensuring that government actions enhance the operating environment for AI in medicines discovery.

Delivering the AI in Medicines Discovery Symposium

Earlier in the spring, experts from across the life sciences ecosystem gathered in Central London for the joint Innovate UK - ABPI AI in Medicines Discovery Symposium. Bringing together key figures from the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology & digital companies, and academia, discussions centred around cutting edge developments and nurturing successful cross-sector collaborations.

Industry leaders including Tom Diethe, Head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at AstraZeneca and Alison Jones, Senior Science Director at Charles River Labs shared their perspectives on the comprehensive and innovative approaches the industry is taking to applying AI to benefit medicines discovery.

We saw the immediate impact of Innovate UK funding on SMEs that are bringing their ideas for AI to fruition including DeepMirror who have developed an AI-driven platform designed to accelerate drug discovery and make this technology accessible to medicines developers without the need for in house deep tech experience.

We heard from Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, who spoke about how the regulatory environment can speed up innovation and from Sarah Skerratt, Chief Research Officer, Isomorphic Labs about their exciting research that has been enabled by powerful new algorithms.

The keynotes, panel discussions and showcases each highlighted how AI is no longer just emerging but a widely used technology that is fundamental to life science research and development pipelines and critical to how we discover and develop new medicines. They also emphasised the shared role that investors, researchers and regulators play within the life sciences ecosystem.

This collective voice underscored the shared ambition to ensure the UK is well positioned to adopt these technologies and prepared to nurture the cross-sector collaborations which will help to boost global competitiveness.

Building on the momentum of the symposium

The enthusiasm generated at the symposium must now be translated into sustained action. We must continue to facilitate these vital connections and partnerships. By breaking down traditional barriers and fostering an environment of shared innovation, we can ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of medicines discovery.

We hope the connections made during the symposium serve as a valuable catalyst for our partners and stakeholders. Innovate UK and the ABPI remain committed to supporting this collaborative ecosystem, ensuring that the UK leads the world in using AI to benefit patients both domestically and globally.