How Ancient Egyptian Gods Really Healed the Sick! A Living Legacy.
Ari Massoudi
I do stuff enabling Mankind to live longer, stronger and smarter ?????????=>??
The Discovery of New Drugs: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Science
The journey from natural remedies to life-saving pharmaceuticals is a testament to human ingenuity and scientific progress. This fascinating odyssey is exemplified by the story of Amni visnaga, a Mediterranean plant that has been used for centuries to treat kidney stones, and its transformation into modern heart medications.
The Serendipitous Discovery of Khellin
In 1945, British physician Glenn Anrep made a groundbreaking discovery while working in Cairo. Anrep, who was studying coronary artery vasodilation, noticed that a laboratory staff member treated with an alcoholic extract of Amni visnaga for renal colic also experienced relief from angina pectoris. This unexpected observation led Anrep to investigate the vasodilatory properties of the extract, first in dogs and then in patients suffering from angina pectoris.
The promising results of Anrep's research sparked interest from pharmaceutical companies, and khellin, the active ingredient in Amni visnaga, soon became widely prescribed. However, the journey was far from over, as side effects in some patients prompted researchers to develop synthetic analogues to address these drawbacks.
From Khellin to Amiodarone: A Chemical Evolution
In the 1960s, Dr. Guy Deltour's team at Labaz laboratories in Brussels began exploring molecules analogous to khellin. Their research led to the development of benzarone, an active coronary vasodilator, which was quickly surpassed by the more potent benzodiarone, marketed as Cardivix.
The chemical structure of khellin, with its pyrone nucleus attached to a benzofuran, inspired chemists to create derivatives by modifying the benzofuran nucleus. This process led to the creation of benzarone and, subsequently, benzodiarone through the introduction of two iodine atoms. Further modifications, including the elongation of the ethyl chain to butyl and the alkylation of phenol, resulted in the development of amiodarone.
Amiodarone: An Unexpected Success Story
Initially, amiodarone faced challenges due to its side effects on various organs, including the cornea, lungs, skin, and thyroid. These complications were primarily attributed to the high iodine content in the drug. The manufacturing laboratory, Labaz, even considered withdrawing it from the market.
However, a turning point came in 1974 when an American cardiology department published a study revealing an unexpected and previously unnoticed effect of amiodarone on heart rate. This discovery completely changed the drug's trajectory, establishing it as an essential medication for treating tens of thousands of heart patients, despite its known side effects.
The Rise and Fall of Benzobromarone
A brominated derivative of amiodarone, benzobromarone (marketed as Desuric), emerged as one of the most powerful uricosurics known. However, its use was associated with the risk of serious liver damage. Despite precautions recommending immediate discontinuation of treatment in case of increased transaminases, cases of severe liver damage persisted, leading to the withdrawal of Desuric from the market in 2003.
The Future of Drug Discovery: Artificial Intelligence
While serendipity played a crucial role in many past drug discoveries, the future of pharmaceutical research lies in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). AI offers a promising new avenue for drug discovery, capable of analyzing massive amounts of data, predicting molecular interactions, and simulating virtual clinical trials with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
AI's Potential Impact on Drug Discovery
Had AI been available in 1945, the journey from Amni visnaga to amiodarone could have been significantly different:
Conclusion
While serendipity has played a crucial role in the past, the future belongs to artificial intelligence, which promises to revolutionize medicine and potentially save even more lives.
If you're interested by AI-driven drug discovery ??????
ITW Dr. Ivan De Weber, PhD - Cofounder-CEO at Cortex Discovery
Exciting news! ?? Join us for the next episode of our LinkedIn Live podcast featuring Dr. Ivan De Weber, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Cortex Discovery, a groundbreaking startup revolutionizing drug discovery through AI!
?? From Academia to AI-Powered Drug Discovery
Dr. de Weber's journey is nothing short of inspiring. We'll explore his transition from cellular biology and pharmaceutical bioinformatics to founding a company at the cutting edge of AI-driven drug discovery. Learn how his lifelong quest for longevity research led to the creation of Cortex Discovery.
?? Unveiling Cortex Discovery's Innovative Approach
Discover how Cortex Discovery is disrupting preclinical drug discovery across all therapeutic areas with their proprietary AI models. We'll delve into:
? Their foundation model for drug property predictions
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? Recent breakthroughs, including the first AI-discovered compound proven to extend lifespan in a whole organism
?? Business Insights and Future Outlook
Get an insider's perspective on:
? Cortex Discovery's unique business model and collaboration opportunities
? Challenges faced in the AI-driven drug discovery landscape
? The company's vision for the future of longevity research and pharmaceutical development
This episode is a must-watch for:
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? Anyone interested in the intersection of AI and drug discovery
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of AI-powered drug discovery and longevity research. Tune in to our LinkedIn Live podcast and be part of the conversation shaping the future of medicine!
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