The expert spoke about the role of AI in drug development

The development of new drugs in the traditional format takes up to 10-15 years and requires billions of dollars of investment, but the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly reduce this process. Boris Lopatukhin, CEO of Legaltek and an expert in the field of information technology, told Izvestia about this on April 17.

"From a legal point of view, this transition challenges regulators: the legislation of the Russian Federation has historically been tailored to physical tests. However, relevant departments are already beginning to adapt the regulatory framework so that in the future the results of computer modeling can be taken into account when registering drugs," he said.

According to the expert, pharmaceutical companies face a high proportion of failures at all stages of development — from the search for a molecule to clinical trials. Of the thousands of potential connections, only one reaches the market, and late-stage errors can lead to significant financial losses and legal risks.

Artificial intelligence is able to analyze millions of chemical compounds in a short time, predicting their properties and reducing the likelihood of errors. Machine learning, generative AI, and big data analysis technologies make it possible to create so-called digital counterparts of molecules and biochemical processes, which speeds up hypothesis testing and the search for effective solutions.

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The expert noted that the neural network demonstrates the greatest results in oncology and the development of drugs for rare diseases. Algorithms help identify unique targets in tumor cells and create more accurate drugs, as well as make it economically feasible to develop drugs for narrow groups of patients. In addition, AI is actively used in the search for new antibiotics to combat the growing resistance of bacteria.

At the same time, as Lopatukhin emphasized, artificial intelligence is not able to completely replace clinical trials. The law requires confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of drugs in a living organism, and the pharmaceutical company is solely responsible for possible side effects.

For patients, the introduction of AI means the emergence of more accessible and personalized treatment methods. According to the expert, reducing the cost of drug development will reduce the burden on the healthcare system and expand access to modern medicines.

The Reuters news agency reported on February 9 that medical equipment manufacturers are introducing artificial intelligence into their products, which harms patients during operations. At least 10 people were injured between the end of 2021 and November 2025. In most cases, the injuries were presumably caused by errors that caused the TruDi navigation system to give surgeons incorrect information about the location of instruments during operations on patients' heads.

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