AI and biological data centers are revolutionizing drug discovery for the future
A revolution is brewing in drug discovery, powered by artificial intelligence and biological data centers. These innovations promise to reduce risk and increase predictability in clinical trials, potentially transforming medicine for the next century.
Traditionally, drug development relies heavily on animal models and small patient cohorts, leading to a high failure rate in human clinical trials. However, the rise of AI in science is accelerating the discovery of new antibodies, catalysts, and materials. Biological data centers, which sustain tens of thousands of standardized human tissues, enable human-relevant testing and predictable discovery.
The first country to build this biological infrastructure stands to lead in drug discovery. Currently, Germany and China are at the forefront of this development. Germany is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, with the IPAI CAMPUS set to start construction in late 2025. Meanwhile, China is pioneering large-scale underwater green data centers, expected to be operational by 2025. The United States, while still ahead due to its scale and early investments, faces challenges like high energy demand and grid capacity issues. Europe and China are rapidly advancing their infrastructure through strategic investments and innovative technologies, closing the gap on the U.S.
The shift towards human-relevant evidence in drug discovery is gaining traction, with policy and industry increasingly accepting it as a complement or replacement for animal models. As AI and biological data centers continue to advance, the country that leads in this infrastructure will define medicine for the next century.
