Artificial intelligence in the drug industry has achieved a remarkable breakthrough, with Shenzhen-based AI drug discovery firm XtalPi’s incubator company, ReviR Therapeutics, securing a clinical trial notification from the National Medical Products Administration for its innovative, small-molecule drug, RTX-117.
The therapy, which targets Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease — a rare neurological condition affecting millions globally — marks the first Class 1 innovative drug pipeline in China aimed at addressing the urgent healthcare need.
The breakthrough, which leverages cutting-edge AI and robotics, reflects the increasingly important role advanced technologies play in drug development.
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“The clinical progress of RTX-117 validates the company’s ability for rapid ‘algorithm-to-clinical’ translation. AI-driven precision drug discovery is breaking the economic bottlenecks of traditional research and development, filling clinical voids and creating sustainable value for patients and investors alike,” said Wen Shuhao, chairman of XtalPi.
Listed in Hong Kong in June 2024, XtalPi was the first specialist technology company to list under Chapter 18C rules on Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s Main Board since the new regime came into effect. The new listing rules opened the door for pre-revenue specialist technology companies to go public.
The integration of AI and drugs is gaining momentum. According to a forecast from Precedence Research, investment in the global AI drug-development industry is expected to reach $2.51 billion this year and to reach $16.49 billion by 2034.
The influx of funds reflects a growing recognition among medical practitioners that AI is an essential tool in enhancing research and treatment capabilities. A study by industry research company ChinaIRN shows that China’s AI-powered drug sector is undergoing rapid development, with the market size expected to amount to 500 billion yuan ($71.6 billion) by 2030, representing a 15 percent (or higher) compound annual growth rate.
“The clinical approval represents a significant milestone in applying AI to drug discovery and has met all necessary criteria to advance into clinical trials. This validates the scientific integrity of the company’s (‘algorithm-to-clinical’) translational research approach,” said Paul August, chief scientific officer of ReviR.
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Phase I clinical trials are scheduled to start in the first quarter of this year.
Contact the writer at sally@chinadailyhk.com
