Haibu Pharmaceutical | The Innovative Drug Forum has successfully concluded

On April 1, 2021, the "Innovation Leading to Revitalization: Innovation Drug Forum" was launched in Beijing Yizhuang, initiated by Haibu Pharmaceutical and Tongchuang Weiye, and co-hosted by Yingfeizhi Medicine, Kelin Likang, Zhonghe Lida, and Medleaves.

This forum invited Dr. Wang Haisheng from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group and Dr. Mai Tianwei from Baifang Yingku as hosts and sharing guests, as well as experts and scholars from well-known universities and the pharmaceutical industry and artificial intelligence field to share and communicate.

After years of rapid development, China has become the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world. In the process of transitioning from a major pharmaceutical country to a strong pharmaceutical country, the pharmaceutical industry faces multiple challenges in structural adjustment and transformation upgrade. Seeking technological innovation is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence has played an important role in assisting new drug research and development.

Session One: Technology Promoting New Drug Development

Guest Speaker: Liu Changru (Chairman and General Manager of Haibu Pharmaceutical) Host: Dr. Zhou Jianguo (Vice President of Kelin Likang)

Report Topic: "Application of AI Multidimensional Representation Technology in Drug Discovery" Report Guest: Xu Youjun (Co-founder of Yingfeizhi Medicine)

In the ligand screening process of drug research and development, based on the core concept that similar molecules have similar properties, this report systematically elaborates on AI-based ligand screening systems and successful application cases from issues related to molecular representation—how to convert a molecular structure into an effective numerical vector—and how to measure between molecules.

Successful Case Sharing (Finding Small Molecule Compounds by Simulating Antibody Mechanisms):

Daclizumab (a monoclonal antibody targeting IL2R for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adult patients): A search was conducted for 23 compounds simulating Daclizumab's mechanism of action; 19 were purchased for testing their effects on IL2-stimulated PBMC proliferation; 14 inhibited PBMC proliferation. The hit rate for high-throughput analysis was between 0.5% -15%.

"AI + Experts" is currently proposed as an optimal solution based on deficiencies in AI platform-based screening (such as expert experiential insights being difficult to replicate; computational methods often requiring multiple types of representation combinations). The implementation of Pharma Mind with AI multidimensional ligand virtual screening will provide us with more evidence chains to minimize uncertainty.

Report Topic: "New Discoveries in AI Applications in Drug Research" Report Guest: Pei Jianfeng (Chief Scientist at Yingfeizhi Medicine)

The drug research and development cycle is long and costly. Currently, upstream original research in life sciences is accelerating accumulation domestically while downstream supporting CRO/CDMO/CMO are maturing. However, there exists a problem with insufficient efficiency in new molecule discovery and transformation. AI assistance can effectively enhance drug R&D speed, shorten R&D cycles, save funding investments, and improve new drug R&D success rates.

The structure-based de novo drug design method LigBuilder along with the protein binding pocket analysis online calculation platform CavityPlus provides new possibilities for drug discovery due to its vast unexplored chemical space while overcoming bottlenecks where program-designed molecules are difficult to synthesize.

Report Topic: "Methods and Strategies for Pharmaceutical Research on Innovative Small Molecules" Report Guest: Zhang Xu (Deputy General Manager at Haibu Pharmaceutical)

"Pharmaceutical research on innovative drugs features characteristics such as gradualness, stage-wise progress, and uncertainty. The breadth and depth of this research continuously advance alongside clinical trial progress while pharmacy serves as both material foundation and quality basis for clinical evaluation; small molecule research plays an indispensable role in new drug studies. Given that risk is central throughout all life stages of innovative drug development, it is essential to objectively assess potential impacts changes may have on drug quality, safety for clinical trial subjects, or connectivity with clinical trial results."

'Fast' CMC R&D is a theme where quality, delivery, and cost must be harmonized; correctly assessing compound prospects while conducting comprehensive evaluations regarding pharmacology, toxicology along with interrelations are key factors for successful CMC R&D.

Report Topic: "Interpretation of Latest Examination Standards for Chemical Innovative Drug Patent Applications" Report Guest: Zheng Ru (Director of Biomedicine Department at Zhonghe Lida)

"New drug development heavily relies on patents; domestic pharmaceutical innovation entities face significant challenges regarding intellectual property protection—foremost among them being that many innovative drug patents have been invalidated recently while generic drugs increasingly infringe upon valid foundational patents without authorization. Domestic policies regarding patent applications for chemical innovative drugs have been continuously aligning with international standards over recent years aimed at comprehensively improving patent quality and examination efficiency while ensuring rights protection for innovators."

"During patent application processes, efficacy data serves as a foundation for authorization within the pharmaceutical field. From a patent law perspective mismatches exist between claim protection scope versus efficacy data; insufficient data arguments can be provided for pioneering inventions; inability exists to precisely clarify innovation points within improvement-type inventions—these are primary reasons patents get rejected. While artificial intelligence-driven drug design enhances efficiency within R&D processes there remain pain points during patent applications such as cross-disciplinary technology overlaps or chaotic examination standards alongside short iteration times within AI technologies."

"Patent protection serves as a beneficial barrier ensuring corporate rights but enhancing patent authorization rates remains an urgent issue needing resolution."

"Report Topic: 'Case Sharing on Early Development Strategies for New Drugs' Report Guest: Dong Qingsheng (Medical Director at Kelin Likang)"

"Early-stage new drug development carries numerous risks where dosage levels alongside toxicity remain timeless topics clinically speaking—they also constitute significant risk factors themselves. For breakthrough therapeutic drugs during clinical trials whether sample sizes plus current efficacy suffice enough predictably indicating products possess clear clinical value remains unresolved."

"Future trends in tumor treatment will be Combo therapies; Shp2's combined mechanisms will continually enhance T-cell anti-tumor immune responses—currently no Shp2 inhibitors have products available globally nor are there many varieties entering clinical stage developments yet—as companies like Relay Therapeutics or Novartis gradually achieve progress clinically this trend will become increasingly clearer moving forward."

"During panel discussions various guests shared insights into innovative drug developments ranging from case studies on drug R&D through AI-assisted new drug discoveries."

Innovation is an ecosystem and the internal driving force of the pharmaceutical industry. Drug innovation requires comprehensive empowerment from research and development, technology, and clinical aspects. The intersection of 'Pharmaceuticals + AI' will become an opportunity for rapid development in the pharmaceutical industry. At the same time, with the combination of basic disease research and clinical practice, and the continuous optimization of China's innovative drug policy environment, the rise of domestic innovative drug industry will strongly promote China's transition from a major pharmaceutical country to a strong pharmaceutical country, and will redefine China's 'First in class'.