It seems that every other week, someone’s singing the praises of yet another medical innovation discovered thanks to AI. This time it’s the world of the anti-fibrotic drug, in this case to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Insilico Medicine is already a big name in the use of generative AI in longevity science, but this is the first time it has been used in this specific way (https://longevity.technology/news/insilico-doses-first-patients-in-phase-2-ipf-trial/).
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), once known as fibrosing alveolitis, is a rare condition that involves the buildup of scar tissue in the lungs. This thick, stiff tissue can impede breathing and cause a dry cough. In more severe cases, it can lead to potentially dangerous complications such as pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or heart failure. IPF is progressive, so it gets worse with time and can’t be reversed.
It’s known as idiopathic because despite the presence of scar tissue, we don’t know the exact cause. This can make it harder to treat. Risk factors include smoking, acid reflux and genetics. Treatment may include medication to slow progression, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy to reduce symptoms and improve breathing, and in particularly severe cases, lung transplants.
Insilico Medicine is a company with a primary focus on using generative AI to develop treatments for a range of conditions that impact longevity. Evidence is growing indicating that AI can be used to identify and analyze potential therapies, in addition to designing completely novel molecules.
This new treatment has been given the label INS018_055. It’s hoped that it can be turned into an anti-fibrotic drug, specifically an anti-fibrotic small molecule inhibitor. Phase one trials have already taken place on healthy participants. Results suggest that INS018_055 has both anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Now the FDA has given INS018_055 orphan drug designation. Orphan drugs are designed to treat rare conditions and therefore may not be profitable, so they often rely on government support in their development. The orphan drug designation comes just ahead of the next stage of trials, with 60 candidates across both the US and China preparing to act as participants.
INS018_055 is already a world-leading design, even without reaching the market. If results continue to be as promising as they were in the early stages of clinical trials, INS018_055 could present major benefits for people with IPF, in addition to further advancing the case for AI-generated medicine.
