Anthropic announced it is setting up a biology lab in the San Francisco area to run physical drug experiments, using Claude to guide robots with minimal human involvement. The lab will allow the company to conduct real-world experiments beyond computer simulations, Reuters reports.
The plan includes two tools already shipped by Anthropic: Claude Science, an AI workspace for researchers, and the Model Hardware Standard for controlling lab equipment. Human oversight remains essential for safety, the company emphasized.
Eric Kauderer-Abrams, head of Anthropic's life sciences division, highlighted the potential of AI in tackling diseases once deemed 'undruggable' due to the lack of available treatments. He said AI could accelerate the design of complex antibodies that target multiple issues simultaneously.
"AI could speed up the design of complex antibodies that hit multiple targets at once," said Eric Kauderer-Abrams, head of Anthropic's life sciences division. The company sees significant opportunities in diseases with no existing treatments.
The lab initiative follows Anthropic's recent moves, including the acquisition of Coefficient Bio for about $400 million in April and the addition of Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan to its board. Anthropic will not run its own clinical trials for now, according to the report, to avoid stepping on pharma companies' toes.
Anthropic did not specify the timeline for clinical trials and raised the question of how to balance AI-driven innovation with regulatory and ethical considerations. The company said it will continue to focus on advancing drug development through its lab initiatives.
Source: thedecoder
