First AI-Designed Drugs Enter Human Trials, Poised to Transform Medicine

Isomorphic Labs, the Alphabet-backed drug discovery company, is on the cusp of a major milestone for the artificial intelligence industry, preparing to initiate the first human clinical trials for drugs entirely designed by its AI platform. Spun out of Google's DeepMind in 2021, the London-based firm is leveraging its advanced AI, built upon the revolutionary AlphaFold protein-folding system, to reimagine the traditionally slow and costly process of developing new medicines. The move into clinical trials represents a critical test of whether AI can not only accelerate drug discovery in a lab but also produce safe and effective treatments for human diseases. Company leadership has confirmed they are "getting very close" to this pivotal step, actively staffing up for the trials which will initially focus on oncology and immunology.[1][2][3] This transition from computational design to clinical reality marks a significant moment, potentially validating the transformative promise of AI in the pharmaceutical world.[4][1]

At the core of Isomorphic Labs' endeavor is a suite of powerful AI models descended from AlphaFold, a system lauded for its groundbreaking ability to accurately predict the three-dimensional structures of proteins from their amino acid sequences.[5][6][1] This was a fundamental breakthrough, as understanding a protein's shape is crucial to understanding its function and how it can be targeted by drugs. Isomorphic has since developed this technology further, creating models like AlphaFold 3, which can predict the interactions between proteins and a wide array of other molecules, including DNA, RNA, and the small-molecule compounds that form the basis of many drugs.[7][8][9] This advanced capability allows researchers to move beyond just understanding a single protein to modeling the complex biological systems in which diseases arise.[7][10] The platform aims to accelerate the design process by enabling scientists to create and test therapeutic hypotheses computationally, identifying promising drug candidates "in silico" with a speed and precision that starkly contrasts with the years of experimental lab work traditionally required.[7][11]

The potential of this AI-first approach has not gone unnoticed by the pharmaceutical industry, which has long grappled with high costs and a success rate for new drugs estimated at just 10%.[4][1] In a significant vote of confidence, Isomorphic Labs has forged major strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novartis.[12][13][14] These collaborations, potentially worth nearly $3 billion in milestone payments plus future royalties, focus on discovering small-molecule therapeutics against multiple undisclosed targets.[12] Eli Lilly's deal includes a $45 million upfront payment with up to $1.7 billion in potential milestones, while the Novartis collaboration began with a $37.5 million upfront payment and could reach $1.2 billion in milestones.[14] In February 2025, Novartis expanded its partnership with Isomorphic, adding up to three new research programs just over a year after the initial agreement, signaling early confidence in the collaboration's progress.[15] These alliances provide Isomorphic with substantial non-dilutive funding and integrate its AI platform with the deep disease expertise of established drug developers, creating a powerful synergy aimed at tackling previously intractable medical challenges.[13][15]

The imminent commencement of human trials for Isomorphic's internally developed drug candidates is the next logical and most critical step.[1][2] While the partnerships with big pharma serve as powerful validation, successfully advancing its own pipeline through the rigorous clinical trial process will be the ultimate proof of concept. The company has been building its internal pipeline with a focus on oncology and immunology and is now preparing to transition these programs from discovery to development.[1][11][16] This move into the clinical stage has been bolstered by a significant infusion of capital; in April 2025, Isomorphic Labs announced its first external funding round, raising $600 million to further develop its AI engine and advance its drug candidates.[17][18][16] The success or failure of these first AI-designed drugs in human subjects will be watched closely, as it could fundamentally alter the economics of drug development and set a new standard for the industry.

In conclusion, Isomorphic Labs stands at a pivotal juncture, ready to translate the theoretical power of its AI platform into tangible clinical results. By building on the foundation of AlphaFold and forging multi-billion dollar partnerships with industry leaders, the company has positioned itself at the forefront of a new, AI-driven era of drug discovery.[19][13][14] The forthcoming human trials are more than just a corporate milestone; they represent a crucial experiment for the entire field of artificial intelligence. If successful, they could usher in a future where the design of life-saving medicines is faster, cheaper, and more precise, demonstrating that AI can not only solve complex biological puzzles but also deliver solutions that directly benefit human health.