A drug discovery firm with roots in Dundee, Scotland, has recently been granted £1.8 million to combat future pandemics through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Exscientia, founded at Dundee University a decade ago, has developed a novel approach to designing drugs using AI technology. The company’s goal is to significantly reduce the time required for drug development and contribute to preventing future pandemics.
The grant, awarded by Open Philanthropy, will enable Exscientia to further its research and development efforts. Open Philanthropy, founded by husband and wife entrepreneurs Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz (a co-founder of Facebook), established the pandemic antiviral discovery initiative following the outbreak of Covid-19. Other supporters of the project include the Novo Nordisk Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Exscientia’s vice-president of antivirals, Professor Ian Goodfellow, expressed his excitement at securing this funding, stating, “We are thrilled that these expert institutions are supporting Exscientia’s capabilities to develop innovative solutions to address significant unsolved health issues.” With this grant, the company aims to investigate the activation of interferons, which play a crucial role in the body’s defense against viral infections, including influenza and Covid-19. By understanding the requirements for activating interferons, Exscientia hopes to develop new approaches to treating and preventing these infections.
The potential impact of this funding extends beyond the current pandemic. Heather Youngs, senior program officer for scientific research at Open Philanthropy, emphasized, “We are excited to help fund novel approaches to increasing resilient response to infectious diseases.” The ultimate goal is to have diverse options available to address global health needs and prevent future pandemics.
Founded in a coffee shop in Dundee, Exscientia has achieved remarkable success since its inception. The company has secured multi-million pound deals with major global pharmaceutical companies and raised nearly £400 million in a funding round in 2021. Additionally, it recently made its debut on the Nasdaq stock exchange, further solidifying its position in the pharmaceutical industry.
Exscientia’s innovative use of AI in drug discovery has been recognized as a game-changer. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the company has the potential to revolutionize the drug development process and save countless lives in the process. The grant from Open Philanthropy will undoubtedly propel Exscientia’s research and success forward, leading the way to a future where the world is better equipped to handle health crises and prevent devastating pandemics.
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