In Shanghai's Pudong New Area, a group of cutting-edge enterprises are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology to empower the development of biomedicine and accelerate the growth of the future health industry.

A groundbreaking research paper recently published by Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd in Nature Communications revealed the pivotal role of ENPP1 as a key immune checkpoint in various solid tumors. The company's research team utilized advanced generative AI platforms and integrated workflows to identify and validate this role, subsequently aiding in the development of the highly specific oral ENPP1 inhibitor, ISM5939, for tumor immunotherapy.

Alex Zhavoronkov, founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, highlighted that the design process of ISM5939 showcases the potential of AI-driven drug discovery technologies and workflows in overcoming traditional drug development challenges.

In another development, the PharmAID Decision Intelligence Platform, which was self-developed by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co Ltd, a leading innovation-driven global healthcare company, made its debut.

This platform integrates cutting-edge large-scale AI technologies to establish an intelligent decision-making system covering the entire drug development lifecycle, according to Fosun Pharma.

Since its establishment in 2021, the Zhangjiang AI New Drug R&D Alliance in Pudong has continuously expanded, currently comprising over 40 member units, including the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study at Zhejiang University, and Insilico Medicine.

These collaborative efforts and innovations in Pudong are propelling the healthcare industry towards a future where AI and biomedicine converge.