Revolutionizing Patient Care: How Artificial Intelligence Prescribes Medicines According to Patients

A groundbreaking innovation in healthcare has emerged by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to connect medicine to patients in a more personalized way. Genetika+, an Israeli health technology company founded in 2018, has pioneered the use of stem cell technology and AI to ensure that antidepressants given to patients are not only effective, but also free of unwanted side effects.

Head of Genetics+, Dr. Talia Cohen Solal, a neurologist and co-founder of the company, explains that this innovative approach allows identifying the most suitable drug for each patient from an early stage. "We were able to identify the right drug for each patient in the first trial," he says, explaining the key steps in this approach.

The technology used by Genetika+ involves growing specific human brain cells in petri dishes using the latest stem cell technology. These cells were then tested with various antidepressants and cellular changes called "biomarkers" were recorded. This information is then analyzed by the AI system, along with the patients medical history and genetic data, to determine the best drug a doctor should prescribe and the optimal dosage.

Although this technology is currently still in the development stage, Genetika+ plans to launch it commercially next year. The company has received financial support from the European Unions European Research Council and the European Innovation Council, and is working with pharmaceutical companies to develop new precision drugs.

Heba Sailem, an AI expert in biomedical and data science at Kings College London, stated that the potential for AI to transform the worlds $1.4 trillion pharmaceutical industry by 2021 is enormous. He underlined that AI has assisted in various aspects, from discovering potential target genes for certain diseases to improving patient treatment by predicting the best treatment strategy and finding biomarkers for personalized patient treatment.

However, the use of AI in the pharmaceutical sector is still a challenge. Calum Chace, an AI expert and author of books on AI, explains that pharmaceutical companies are large entities, and significant changes in research and development approaches can be difficult to implement because of the many parties involved. However, the advances resulting from combining computer technology and biology provide optimism for a future where AI can play a crucial role in the discovery of more effective and efficient drugs.

As this technology continues to develop, stringent measures still need to be taken to ensure accuracy and fairness in the use of AI in patient treatment. Sailem emphasized that AI models must ensure that they not only learn from the right answers, but also with the right reasons, to avoid unwanted biases in treatment decision making.

In a broader context, other companies are also tapping into the potential of AI in the pharmaceutical industry. Insilico Medicine, a Hong Kong-based company, is using AI to accelerate drug discovery. They have successfully identified existing drugs that can be re-engineered for new purposes and designed new drugs to target known diseases.

When asked about the impact, Alex Zhavoronkov, co-founder and chief executive of Insilico Medicine, stated that thanks to AI, the drug development process that normally takes four years can be shortened to less than 18 months, at a lower cost. With 31 drugs in various stages of development, Insilico Medicine is a living example of how AI has revolutionized the drug discovery process.

While the world is still at the beginning of this journey, hopes are pinned on a future in which artificial intelligence will increasingly participate in opening the door to more targeted and effective treatments for every individual.