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Insilico Develops The World’s First Fully AI-Generated Drug
The Abu Dhabi-based company hopes to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and has 30 more drugs in the pipeline.
In a busy biotech hub in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, Insilico Medicine is pushing the frontiers of science. Under the watchful eye of Latvian-born CEO Dr Alex Zhavoronkov, the company has developed an AI-generated drug to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) — a deadly disease of the lungs.
“This AI drug is a major milestone for us and the industry as a whole,” Dr. Zhavoronkov explains. “We can use AI to create lifesaving treatments for new diseases using approaches we haven’t yet considered and do so much more rapidly and efficiently”.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by scarring of the lungs and has no known cure. Insilico’s AI drug aims to halt or even reverse the progression of IPF and is currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials in the US and China. The success of these trials will pave the way for more in-depth testing, bringing the drug closer to mass market approval.
Insilico’s groundbreaking research was recently published in Nature Biotechnology. It highlights how the company’s AI platform, Pharma.AI, is connecting the dots between fibrosis and aging to drive forward the discovery of a cure.
IPF treatment is just the beginning for Insilico. The company already has a roadmap consisting of over thirty AI-designed drugs, with seven already in clinical patient trials. These include treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, immuno-oncology targets, and even drugs developed using a method that targets a protein in cancers that can kill them without harming healthy cells.
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Dr Zhavoronkov’s ultimate goal is to leverage AI to unravel the complex processes involved in aging. “Our number one priority is to teach AI to understand the basic biology of aging, and I think we’ve succeeded in that process. Now, we need to demonstrate that we can utilize this understanding to cure diseases,” he says.
Insilico Medicine’s AI-driven drugs showcase the massive untapped potential of artificial intelligence in all aspects of healthcare. As the company continues to innovate, its work brings hope to patients around the world and demonstrates that the future of medicine is promising, thanks to the application of the latest technological breakthroughs.
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SWITCH Mobility To Trial New E-Buses In UAE & Saudi Arabia In 2025
The SWITCH EiV12 and E1 offer cutting-edge features, cater to both the public and private sectors, and align with GCC sustainability goals.
SWITCH Mobility, a leading player in the commercial EV sector, has announced plans to conduct trial runs of its cutting-edge electric buses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia during the summer of 2025. If all goes to plan, the company aims to roll out the vehicles commercially across the wider Gulf region by the fourth quarter of the same year.
Speaking at a launch event in India where two new e-bus models — the SWITCH EiV12 and SWITCH E1 — were unveiled, SWITCH Mobility Chairman Dheeraj Hinduja shared the company’s growing interest in the GCC markets.
“The launch of the [buses] is a proud milestone for the Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland, underscoring our commitment to sustainable mobility […] At SWITCH Mobility, we are driving a greener future and advancing our long-term vision to democratize electric mobility worldwide,” Hinduja explained.
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According to the SWITCH chairman, the EiV12 is likely to appeal to private companies, while the SWITCH E1, designed for the European market, is meant for the public sector. The company also plans to eventually manufacture buses at Ashok Leyland’s Ras Al Khaimah facility once demand reaches sufficient levels.
SWITCH E-Bus Models
- SWITCH EiV12: This model is India’s first low-floor city bus equipped with chassis-mounted batteries. It offers a scalable battery capacity exceeding 400 kWh and can accommodate up to 39 passengers. Powered by SWITCH iON, the company’s proprietary telematics system, the EiV12 ensures efficient fleet management with features like real-time vehicle health monitoring. Its rear-end charging interface allows quick recharges while optimizing depot space. Interiors are spacious, well-lit, and provide excellent visibility thanks to a large panoramic glass area.
- SWITCH E1: Engineered in the UK for European markets, the SWITCH E1 boasts a triple-door layout (front, center, and rear) and a flat gangway, making it highly accessible. With a capacity to carry up to 93 passengers, the bus is powered by in-wheel motors and sets a new standard for sustainable public transport in urban areas.
SWITCH Mobility has revealed that both models have already attracted significant global attention, with the company having received 1,800 orders to date.
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