A few years ago, scientific researchers, if they wished to test a new molecule as a potential drug candidate, would have to spend potentially a decade doing the research. Careers were defined through this research process of understanding protein folding, stumbling around until maybe you found out if a drug could be made and put through an equally long trial period.
DeepMind’s AlphaFold changed this, ushering in a 10,000-fold increase in coverage of protein structures for researchers to study and build on. With advances in supercomputers and available data, researchers can now run AI models overnight to test protein binding abilities, and come into work the next day to understand if they could potentially take things to the next stage.
Innovations like this have completely transformed early-stage biological research and sparked an AI renaissance in modelling biological systems, with real-world implications for medicine and biotech.
Our latest TBI paper, “New National Purpose: Leading the Biotech Revolution” ,in collaboration with Lord Hague, articulates a vision based around these revolutions. The fusion of health and life sciences with the vast universe of data computation is not just redefining healthcare; it’s reshaping our very economy. Our report, not content with mere observation, lays out an ambitious blueprint for the United Kingdom to seize the reins of this revolution. This is arguably the best of the three NNP papers to date, which is thanks to amazing work from Benedict Macon Cooney, James Phillips, Luke Stanley, Henry Li, Darcy Ward, and Charlie Harris.
The Heart of the Matter
Why, one might ask, does this matter? The answer lies in the transformative synergy of two rapidly evolving fields. On one hand, we have the ever-improving efficiencies in realms like DNA sequencing; on the other, the relentless advance of artificial intelligence. Together, they're unlocking doors in drug design, cancer screening, and more, that were once firmly shut. Britain, already a significant player with assets like the BioBank and DeepMind, finds itself at a crossroads. The potential is immense, but so is the need for action.
The Four Pillars: The report's structure focuses on four cardinal areas: foundational research infrastructure, data, finance, and biosecurity. Binding these elements are over 40 concrete proposals, below is a flavour of just a few.
1. Research and Development: A candid assessment reveals a stark truth: our biotech R&D ecosystem lags behind. It's mired in hierarchical structures that stifle innovation. To remedy this, the report proposes a new biodesign lab, taking a leaf from the groundbreaking Baker Lab for protein deisgn, which has kickstarted a biotech boom in Seattle. Additionally, a fresh metascience strategy is suggested to rejuvenate our research landscape.
2. Data: Today’s data landscape is a chaotic wilderness, unstructured and often barricaded against research and commercialisation. The paper boldly suggests a Personal Health Account to enhance patient control over data, coupled with novel public trust exercises. A specialised NHS Data Trust could serve as a conduit, providing anonymised data to researchers and biotech firms. This is envisioned as the backbone of a long-term mission: the integration of personalised AI to assist doctors. I’d read the smallprint of the report on these, as they will undoubtedly receive pushback from the usual suspects.
3. Financing Innovation: While Britain is fertile ground for starting a biotech venture, scaling one is a different story. The paper advocates for more specialised science and tech fund managers, and intriguingly, new entrepreneurial PhD programmes. It also urges reforms to allow multi-class share companies to list commercially with greater alacrity.
4. Biosecurity: The final pillar addresses a critical aspect often overlooked: biosecurity. The call is for a new task force, armed with innovative research methods, and a restructuring of the Health Security Agency to focus more on pandemic-response. Additionally, domestic safeguards on DNA synthesis are proposed to pre-emptively counter potential threats.
Let’s Make it Happen
Matthew Herper elegantly states:
In the same way the 20th century belonged to physics, the 21st is biological. But while physics in the 20th century brought airplanes, personal computers, and posters of Albert Einstein, it also meant the atom bomb and a complete transformation of the social order.
As we stand at the dawn of what could very well be the 'Century of Biology', the paper issues a clarion call. The potential rewards – in terms of revolutionary medical treatments, national health improvements, and economic rejuvenation – are monumental. Yet nothing is preordained. It is only through a deliberate, ambitious agenda such as this, that Britain can truly harness the full spectrum of possibilities that this biological renaissance offers.