#BIOSPAIN2023Interview | "We are facing a paradigm shift in Drug Discovery"

Currently, there are more than 1,500 molecules in clinical trials that are the result of advances in the field of biotechnology. With over 300 biotechnological drugs approved for around 250 indications and a thousand molecules in different stages of research worldwide, aiming to reach patients with new therapeutic active principles or find new applications for existing ones, biotechnology is setting the pace for the medicine of the future.

From the conception of the original idea to the launch of a new drug into the market, it can take 12 to 15 years. This complex process typically involves a substantial financial investment. The global health crisis caused by COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of uniting efforts to reduce some of these processes and the essential need for the necessary investment to develop ideas that can provide solutions to diseases that currently lack treatment or cure.

New drugs often fail to meet their objectives for two reasons: they do not function correctly, or they are not safe. Hence, it is crucial to accurately identify and validate the target they aim to address. New technologies are allowing significant advancements in this area due to the increased data available.

Nostrum Biodiscovery, a company specialized in Drug Discovery through the combination of computational tools and Silver Sponsor of BIOSPAIN 2023, analyzes the current landscape of new drug development, a central topic of BIOSPAIN 2023. We spoke with Víctor Guallar, the company's Chief Scientific Officer.

AseBio. What is the current picture we observe in Drug Discovery?

Víctor Guallar. Our most recent experience shows that we are facing a paradigm shift. Nowadays, given a target, we can find a wide variety of highly efficient candidates (hits) in just a few weeks. Moreover, we can optimize them into quasi-drugs in a few months. What used to take 2 or 3 years with low efficiency can now be done in 6 months with excellent results, all thanks to (super)computing.

AseBio. Your work is based on the combination of computational tools. Could you explain it?

Víctor Guallar. We tackle a highly complex problem that requires great specialization and, in the end, the combination of different and alternative strategies. Currently, a winning combination is emerging: merging machine learning (AI) with molecular modeling in a reinforcement or active learning environment.

AseBio. The company accelerates "hit finding" and "hit-to-lead" (H2L) projects using its in silico platforms. What are these platforms? How do they work?

Víctor Guallar. Each study is different and requires personalized treatment. At Nostrum, we have specialized in providing high-quality personalized service. A client from the United States recently introduced us (to another client) as the best boutique modeling company. That being said, we can generalize that our platform is based on 4 pillars: i) custom development of AI tools, ii) combining them with the best molecular modeling methods (to teach/validate AI in situ), iii) a wide diversity and quantity of molecular libraries (up to 36 billion molecules to date, and potentially "infinite" with generative models), and iv) tremendous expertise of our people.

AseBio. You have your own portfolio of Drug Discovery projects through collaborations with different entities. What innovations are included in this portfolio?

Víctor Guallar. We have just started developing internal projects. In these projects, we look for highly potential/novel ideas associated with significant complexity (risk). Projects that would make our competitors think twice, without our technology and computing potential.

AseBio. What does Nostrum Biodiscovery expect from BIOSPAIN 2023?

Víctor Guallar. Nostrum is well-prepared for significant challenges. In the early years, we have demonstrated that we are one of the most powerful partners worldwide to co-develop a drug. At BIOSPAIN, we want this message to reach the entire community loud and clear. We are ready for major co-development projects.