Google announces new AI models for drug discovery

Google announced new AI models for drug discovery at a health event in New York. These models, named TxGemma, will help researchers develop new therapies more efficiently. They are set to be released through Google's Health AI Developer Foundations program later this month. TxGemma can understand regular text, chemicals, molecules, and proteins. Researchers can use this AI to predict important properties of potential drugs, like their safety and effectiveness. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief health officer, said the aim is to make the long and costly drug development process easier. The company has not revealed if the AI models can be used for commercial purposes or customized. TechCrunch has reached out to Google for further details. Many companies believe that AI can transform drug discovery by speeding up early research steps. However, there have been challenges. Some firms using AI, like Exscientia and BenevolentAI, have faced significant setbacks in clinical trials. Meanwhile, the performance of AI systems can be inconsistent. Despite the issues, big pharmaceutical companies and investors remain optimistic about AI's potential. In January, Isomorphic Labs, a Google spin-out, announced plans to start testing its AI-designed drugs this year. It is estimated that over 460 AI startups are working in drug discovery, with investments reaching $60 billion.