Creating New Antibiotics Using GenAI: Winning the Battle Against AMR

Our solution employs Generative AI (GenAI) to analyse existing antibiotic chemical structures, creating novel compounds with new chemical entities. These compounds will be synthesised and tested in the laboratory to evaluate their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. By leveraging GenAI, we expedite the antibiotic discovery process, reducing time, cost, and resources.

Team Lead | Solution Lead: Dr Saw Shier Nee, Senior Lecturer, Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a threat to global health, with profound implications for communities and healthcare systems. The widespread misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence of resistant strains, rendering existing treatments ineffective. Globally, AMR contributes to over 700,000 deaths annually and is projected to rise to 10 million deaths by 2050 if left unchecked (source: WHO). The scarcity of new antibiotics exacerbates the problem, with traditional discovery methods proving slow, costly, and often ineffective. Our solution addresses this pressing challenge by leveraging GenAI to streamline antibiotic discovery, offering a scalable approach to develop novel compounds that can combat AMR effectively. By accelerating the discovery process, we aim to provide healthcare systems with new tools to fight resistant infections and safeguard public health in LMICs and globally.

Our solution serves diverse stakeholders involved in healthcare, pharmaceutical research, and public health initiatives. This includes pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, healthcare providers, clinicians, and ultimately, patients affected by bacterial infections.

Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions need innovative approaches to antibiotic discovery that can overcome the challenges posed by AMR. Our solution addresses this need by offering a streamlined and efficient method for generating novel antibiotics with improved efficacy and reduced development timelines.

Healthcare providers and clinicians require access to a diverse arsenal of effective antibiotics to treat bacterial infections and combat the spread of AMR. By accelerating the discovery and development of new antibiotics, our solution aims to provide clinicians with more treatment options to manage infections and improve patient outcomes effectively.

Our solution serves humanity at large, focusing on patients affected by AMR and the healthcare sector. While we aren't directly engaging with stakeholders at this stage due to our reliance on existing data and AI-driven processes, our focus remains on addressing the urgent global need for effective antimicrobial treatments. As we progress, we remain open to feedback and collaboration from healthcare professionals, researchers, and affected communities to ensure our solutions align with their evolving needs and challenges.

Our solution provides several public goods that contribute to the global effort to combat AMR. Firstly, by leveraging GenAI algorithms, we generate novel antibiotics that have the potential to address the growing threat of AMR by combating resistant bacterial strains. These antibiotics contribute to safeguarding public health by providing healthcare professionals with new treatment options to combat infectious diseases effectively.

Additionally, our solution generates valuable scientific knowledge and data through computational analyses and experimental validations. We are committed to sharing our findings transparently with the global scientific community through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and open-access databases. This dissemination of knowledge enables researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals worldwide to access and utilise our insights to inform their efforts in combating AMR.

Furthermore, we are dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the scientific community by participating in conferences, workshops, and collaborative research initiatives focused on AMR. By actively engaging with stakeholders, we aim to amplify the impact of our solution and contribute to the collective effort to address the global challenge of AMR.

Our solution is poised to create a tangible impact by addressing the pressing need for new antibiotics to combat AMR in LMICs and globally. By leveraging GenAI technology, we streamline the antibiotic discovery process, enabling the rapid identification of novel compounds with potent antimicrobial activity against resistant bacterial strains.

The primary beneficiaries of our solution include healthcare providers, clinicians, and patients affected by bacterial infections. Healthcare providers will gain access to a broader arsenal of effective antibiotics to combat infectious diseases, reducing the risk of treatment failure and improving patient outcomes. Clinicians will benefit from enhanced treatment options for patients with antibiotic-resistant infections, leading to more effective management of bacterial diseases.

Patients, particularly those from underserved or vulnerable populations, stand to benefit significantly from our solution. By expanding the availability of effective antibiotics, we aim to reduce the burden of antibiotic-resistant infections and improve access to life-saving treatments for individuals in resource-limited settings.

Our activities, outputs, and outcomes are linked through a comprehensive approach integrating computational modelling, experimental validation, and collaborative research initiatives. By translating scientific discoveries into tangible healthcare interventions, we expect our solution to have a meaningful and lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals worldwide.

1. Collaborative Partnerships: We will forge strategic collaborations with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organisations to accelerate the translation of our research findings into clinical applications. By leveraging the expertise and resources of our partners, we aim to amplify the reach and impact of our solution.

2. Expansion of Research and Development: We will invest in expanding our research and development capabilities to enhance our antibiotic discovery platform. This includes scaling up our computational infrastructure, expanding our database of antibiotic compounds, and investing in experimental design to accelerate the identification of promising candidates.

3. Capacity Building: We will invest in capacity-building initiatives to empower young researchers through postgraduate training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms designed to build awareness and enhance scientific skills using AI and cutting-edge technology.

By implementing these strategies, we are confident that we can scale our impact and contribute to the global effort to combat AMR, ultimately saving lives and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations.

We measure success against our impact goals through a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation antimicrobial framework encompassing qualitative and quantitative indicators:

1. Antibiotic Efficacy: We track the antimicrobial activity of novel compounds generated by our AI platform against a panel of resistant bacterial strains using standardised laboratory assays. Quantitative measures include minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and bactericidal activity.

2. Research Output: We monitor the publication and dissemination of research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, assessing published articles' impact factor and citation metrics as indicators of scientific impact.

3. Collaborative Partnerships: We evaluate the number and quality of collaborative partnerships established with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organisations, measuring the level of engagement and contribution to joint research projects.

By continuously evaluating these metrics, we aim to demonstrate the tangible impact of our solution in addressing AMR and improving patient outcomes. Our pilot studies have shown promising results regarding antibacterial activity and preclinical efficacy, laying the foundation for further validation and clinical translation of our compounds.

Yap, C. H et al (2023). Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 95, 117485. 

PY Chung, et. al (2021).Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2021; 20: 67.

1. Funding Constraints: Obtaining this funding will support our research initiatives. When the framework is ready, we will apply for additional fundings such as Malaysia MOSTI eDANA TED1 grant where the PI, Dr. Saw has experience in getting TED1 grant with a total of RM455K to continue the development and fine-tuning of the framework. 

2. Computational Resources: Running computationally intensive simulations and modelling tasks requires access to high-performance computing resources, which can be costly and resource-intensive. We will use existing infrastructure in UM which offers high performance computing and plan to forge strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders such as NVIDIA for infrastructure sponsorship and code development.

3. Synthetic Route Optimisation: Developing efficient and scalable synthetic routes for producing novel antibiotic molecules is challenging and critical to ensure cost-effectiveness and scalability. With our multidisciplinary teams that includes chemists (Dr. Chee & Dr. Chin), microbiologist (Dr. Katrina), data analyst (Rose), AI scientists (Dr. Saw & Dr. Eddy) will enable the success of the development.

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge because it provides a unique platform to address the complex and urgent global issue of AMR. As a pioneering initiative, The Trinity Challenge offers invaluable resources, expertise, and collaborative opportunities to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions to combat AMR.

Specifically, we face several barriers in our efforts to address AMR, including:

1. Access to Resources: The Trinity Challenge can provide access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities essential for advancing our research and development efforts.

2. Collaboration and Partnerships: The collaborative nature of The Trinity Challenge fosters partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including academia, industry, and government agencies, facilitating knowledge sharing and collective action to tackle AMR on a global scale.

3. Validation and Recognition: Participation in The Trinity Challenge validates the significance of our solution and provides recognition within the global health community, enhancing the credibility and visibility of our efforts.

By engaging with The Trinity Challenge, we aim to leverage its resources and collaborative network to overcome these barriers, accelerate the development of our antibiotic solutions, and make meaningful contributions towards mitigating the threat of AMR worldwide.

We are eager to collaborate with various organisations and experts to initiate, accelerate, and scale our solution in the fight against AMR. Specifically, we seek partnerships with:

1. Academic Institutions: Collaborating with leading educational institutions will enable us to access cutting-edge research, drug discovery and development expertise, and specialised facilities for preclinical and clinical testing of novel antibiotics.

2. Pharmaceutical Companies: Partnering with pharmaceutical companies like GSK can facilitate access to resources, including compound libraries, drug development expertise, and manufacturing capabilities, essential for advancing our antibiotic candidates through preclinical and clinical stages.

3. Technology firm: Collaborating with leading technology firms like NVIDIA to enhance our computational capabilities. By partnering with NVIDIA, we seek sponsorship for GPUs and access to their expertise in accelerating algorithmic development. This collaboration will expedite the creation of new antibiotics by optimising our computational processes and leveraging advanced hardware resources.

These collaborations will enrich our multidisciplinary approach, foster knowledge exchange, and leverage collective expertise to address the complex challenges of AMR effectively.