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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.

Published

6 months ago

August 15, 2024

Nour Nasir

insilico develops the world's first fully ai-generated drug

Emirates News Agency

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”.

insilico ai-generated drug robot

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.

Also Read: Personalized Supplement Company Bioniq Raises $15M In Funds

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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Foodics Acquires Online-Ordering Specialist & Invests In 3 Startups

The deal with UK-based Solo Venture was made at LEAP 2025, and will help create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

foodics acquires online-ordering specialist and invests in 3 startups

MENA-based restaurant and payments technology provider Foodics has fully acquired Solo Venture, a UK-based company specializing in self-ordering kiosks and white-label online ordering solutions. The deal was reached at this year’s LEAP 2025 event in Riyadh and is part of Foodics’ strategy to create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants and catering firms.

Solo’s technology includes AI-driven self-service solutions, simplifying ordering and increasing profit margins. By integrating Solo into its platform, Foodics will soon be able to offer restaurants a comprehensive suite of tools covering everything from dine-in management to payments and analytics.

Ahmad Al-Zaini, CEO and Co-Founder of Foodics explained: “This acquisition is a significant step in our mission to build the most comprehensive restaurant management platform in MENA and beyond. To further support our ecosystem and the future of tech in the F&B sector, we are allocating $100M in strategic acquisitions and investments in Fintech, AI, and other transformative technologies over the coming three years”.

Beyond the Solo acquisition, Foodics is also backing three startups as part of its wider expansion plan:

Norma: A Greek AI-powered data analytics firm that enables business professionals to generate insights instantly, eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Add: A specialized accounting platform designed for small and medium-sized restaurants to simplify financial reporting and payroll management.
Arzaq Plus: A smart food and beverage supply chain platform that optimizes sourcing and logistics while introducing a “Buy Now, Pay Later” feature to the Foodics platform.

Also Read: Taager Secures $6.75M To Expand Social eCommerce In MENA

Anas Alghanim, Foodics’ Director of Corporate Development, emphasized, “At Foodics, every investment we make is aimed at creating valuable solutions that drive growth and deliver tangible success, ensuring that we empower our partners and customers to shape the future of the industry”.

The LEAP 2025 announcement coincides with the celebration of Foodics’ 10th anniversary. After supporting over 30,000 food and beverage businesses across 30 countries, Foodics continues to push the boundaries of restaurant management technology, helping companies streamline operations and enhance customer experience.