Toxicity prediction gets a boost from AI
Ignota Labs, an innovative AI TechBio start-up, in collaboration with Newcastle University, are to develop a suite of toxicity prediction tools, set to transform computational toxicity predictions in drug discovery.
Funded by Innovate UK, the award will support the development of TOXSCAPE, a suite of toxicity prediction tools to support the support the selection and development of new, safe medicines.
56% of new medicines don’t make it to market due to safety problems, resulting in huge financial losses and potentially life-changing therapies never reaching patients. To resolve this, there is a need to bring accurate safety checks earlier in the drug discovery process. This collaboration will result in accurate, scalable and explainable safety predictions, revealing drug safety insights not possible with traditional methods.
Ignota Labs has assembled a team of world-leading experts in computational chemistry, data science, toxicology and drug discovery, partnering with Newcastle University’s expert researchers in mitochondrial biology and high-content-imaging.
“This is a really exciting opportunity to change how the pharmaceutical industry thinks about AI to help develop safer drugs. There is an incentive for the industry to proactively avoid safety problems: both to avoid patient harm, but also to save money and to speed up drug development to get more treatments to patients more quickly. ” from Sam Windsor, Co-Founder - Ignota Labs
The outcomes of this project include the creation of novel toxicity datasets, world-leading safety prediction tools, and commercial validation of the innovative approach.
This exciting development marks a significant leap forward in the sector and is a great example of the UK’s ability to lead in AI and Life Sciences innovation. Ignota Labs are excited to launch the project with Newcastle University, taking their technology to the next level.
