UAE Researchers Use AI to Identify Potential Blood Cancer Drug

Researchers at Insilico Medicine in Abu Dhabi have used artificial intelligence to identify a new class of drug-like molecules that could potentially be developed to treat certain blood cancers.

The compounds, known as proteolysis-targeting chimeras or PROTACs, target Bruton's tyrosine kinase, a protein involved in the survival and spread of malignant cells in some leukaemias and lymphomas. The findings were published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

The company used its PandaOmics platform to prioritise disease-related protein targets and Chemistry42 to generate candidate molecular structures. Unlike conventional drugs that temporarily bind to a protein, PROTACs are designed to direct the target protein towards the cell's disposal system for destruction. Insilico Medicine said its AI-assisted process can reduce the time needed to select a potential drug for further testing to around 12 to 18 months, compared with two and a half to four years using traditional methods.

The new compounds remain at the lead-candidate stage and have not yet entered clinical trials. They follow other AI-assisted drug candidates announced by Insilico Medicine's Abu Dhabi researchers in 2026, including potential treatments for brain cancer and chronic pain. The company operates an AI and quantum computing development centre in Masdar City, with its UAE operations supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.