In Russia, AI is helping develop a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease
In Russia, generative AI is accelerating the creation of next‑generation therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, promising faster, safer, and more affordable drug development
AI-driven discovery
Pharmaceutical company R‑Pharm and the Advanced Intelligence Research Institute (AIRI), supported by Sber, are developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases using generative artificial intelligence. The collaboration, presented at the international AI Journey conference, marks a turning point for Russia’s biotech sector by introducing a data‑driven framework for rapid therapeutic innovation.
According to Anastasia Khrastulyova, Director of Public Relations at R‑Pharm, the project signals “a new era of innovative drug development in Russia.” By combining expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceutical production with advanced AI systems, the team is creating a unified platform capable of designing therapies for some of the world’s most complex disorders.
At the center of the effort is the development of targeted antibodies and a specialized delivery mechanism designed to penetrate the blood–brain barrier. Achieving this enables the therapy to reach affected brain regions more effectively, directly influencing pathological processes and improving clinical outcomes.
Faster path from lab to patient
Arthur Kadurin, Director of AIRI’s AIDD Center for AI‑Driven Drug Discovery, emphasized that this is the first Russian collaboration where AI‑generated molecular insights form the foundation of pharmaceutical development.
Generative AI models simulate disease mechanisms at the molecular level and create thousands of virtual compound candidates. Researchers then select the most promising molecules for laboratory testing. This sharply reduces both time and cost during preclinical development, potentially bringing life‑saving therapies to patients years earlier.
Initial results from preclinical testing are expected next year. Based on the findings, the team will determine whether to move the therapy into clinical trials.
