Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the drug discovery process, moving from augmenting research to actively driving innovation. As biotech companies face soaring R&D costs and long development cycles, AI promises a breakthrough: slashing drug development time by nearly half while improving accuracy in identifying promising compounds. With global pharmaceutical R&D spending projected to exceed $230 billion by 2026, efficiency isn’t just desirable—it’s critical.

Can AI transition drug discovery from a serendipitous search to a precise, design-led process? And what are the real-world applications—and limitations—of machine learning in today’s labs?

In this episode of Crowncast by Crown BioScience, host Jonny McMichael welcomes Kuan Yan, Senior Principal Scientist, and Jordan Lim, Associate Director of Digital Product. Together, they explore how AI is being used to automate workflows, optimize molecular designs, and provide advisory-level insights within CRO environments—all while navigating the complexities of regulation and data privacy.

Key Highlights:

  • AI is already accelerating early-stage drug discovery, from target identification to molecule generation and optimization—cutting development timelines dramatically.

  • Human-in-the-loop remains essential, especially for quality control, validation, and navigating the risks of AI’s “black box” nature.

  • Crown BioScience is developing internal AI frameworks to transform data into insights, optimize experimental designs, and ultimately deliver more value to clients.

Jordan Lim holds a bachelor’s and MBA from the University of California, San Diego, and brings a unique perspective from his work in patient advocacy, study coordination, and digital transformation at Crown BioScience.

Kuan Yan earned his master’s and PhD in bioimaging and image analysis from the University of Leiden. With over 15 years of experience in machine learning, he now leads AI initiatives as a Senior Principal Scientist at Crown BioScience Netherlands.

Recent Episodes

Sterile processing teams are under constant pressure—handling growing surgical demands, working short-staffed, and navigating strict regulations—so getting every instrument tray assembled right the first time has never mattered more. Even a single assembly error can cascade into costly OR delays or, worse, compromise patient safety. Recent research highlights that most surgical instrument errors stem from…

Obstructive sleep apnea affects a whopping 30 million Americans, yet millions remain undiagnosed or abandon CPAP therapy due to its discomfort and inconvenience. Recent innovations in oral appliance therapy, however, are opening up new possibilities for patients seeking safe, effective, and lasting solutions. With sleep apnea linked to virtually every chronic disease—from heart disease to…

In this bonus Career Journeys episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit, welcomes Jose Arnold Tariga, Director of Clinical Education and Development at Insight Global Health and one of the Top 10 finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, selected from more…