Addressing COVID‐19 Drug Development with Artificial Intelligence. (27th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ho, Dean
• Is Part Of: Advanced intelligent systems. Volume 2:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-04-27
• Subjects: artificial intelligence -- combination therapy -- COVID-19 -- drug development -- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; Robotics -- Periodicals; Control theory -- Periodicals; 006.3
• DOI: 10.1002/aisy.202000070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2640-4567

Abstract

Abstract : The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus that led to the COVID‐19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic, has resulted in substantial overburdening of healthcare systems as well as an economic crisis on a global scale. This has in turn resulted in widespread efforts to identify suitable therapies to address this aggressive pathogen. Therapeutic antibody and vaccine development are being actively explored, and a phase I clinical trial of mRNA‐1273 which is developed in collaboration between the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Moderna, Inc. is currently underway. Timelines for the broad deployment of a vaccine and antibody therapies have been estimated to be 12–18 months or longer. These are promising approaches that may lead to sustained efficacy in treating COVID‐19. However, its emergence has also led to a large number of clinical trials evaluating drug combinations composed of repurposed therapies. As study results of these combinations continue to be evaluated, there is a need to move beyond traditional drug screening and repurposing by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize combination therapy design. This may lead to the rapid identification of regimens that mediate unexpected and markedly enhanced treatment outcomes. Abstract : Multiple strategies are being explored to address severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the virus that causes COVID‐19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). These include the development of vaccines, antibodies, and combination therapies. Amidst the many clinical trials underway to validate these approaches, artificial intelligence may serve as a foundation for systematically optimized drug development that can markedly enhance treatment outcomes.