Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a sophisticated form of machine learning capable of swiftly analysing extensive datasets, uncovering non-obvious patterns, and pinpointing novel disease targets along with potential drugs. AI is increasingly influencing drug development by identifying products that have a higher probability of clinical success. Poolbeg Pharma, leveraging its access to distinctive disease progression data from human challenge trials, utilises these insights to inform its product acquisitions and clinical development strategies. The precision of data from human challenge trials has been pivotal in revolutionising AI-driven analysis.
In March 2022, Poolbeg Pharma entered into a partnership with CytoReason, a leading AI company, to analyse its unique influenza disease progression data derived from human challenge trials. CytoReason, known for its validated AI models that can infer immune cell behaviour from bulk transcriptomics, was seen as the ideal collaborator to maximise the potential of Poolbeg’s influenza data. The partnership has successfully identified multiple novel drug targets for influenza by combining Poolbeg’s data with CytoReason’s extensive disease data repositories and advanced AI technology. These targets were endorsed by Poolbeg’s Scientific Advisory Board in October 2023.
Similarly, Poolbeg Pharma initiated a collaboration in February 2022 with OneThree Biotech Inc., an AI-driven biology company, to discover new drug targets and treatments for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Through this collaboration, Poolbeg’s scientific team worked closely with OneThree to create a customised AI approach that utilised Poolbeg’s unique RSV human challenge trial data. This collaboration led to the identification of promising drug candidates by November 2022, with positive results from lab-based analysis received by December 2023. The focus is now on candidates with existing Phase I clinical data, positioning them for rapid entry into clinical trials to generate early human efficacy data for RSV.
Poolbeg Pharma’s unique repository of clinical samples and associated data from human challenge trials offers an unparalleled depth of longitudinal data, tracking subjects from health through disease to recovery. This extensive dataset, when combined with AI, has allowed the company to identify drug targets more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional methods. AI’s integration into the drug discovery and development process is reshaping healthcare delivery, particularly in the area of infectious diseases where various factors can affect infection and immunity.
The application of AI in Poolbeg Pharma’s work has provided new insights into its human challenge trial data and facilitated the expansion of its drug pipeline. This advancement underscores the value of AI in accelerating drug discovery, enhancing the company’s confidence in the potential of its data and AI-driven programmes.
