NUS scientists use AI platform to improve effectiveness of Covid-19 drugs against Omicron
SINGAPORE – Researchers in Singapore are hoping artificial intelligence (AI) can help better fight Covid-19 infections, with AI determining the most optimal combination of antiviral drugs and the correct dosing.
A recent study led by Professor Dean Ho, director of the Institute for Digital Medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, has shown some promise.
He found that when antiviral drugs molnupiravir and Paxlovid were each combined with the protease-inhibiting drug YH-53, the mix was effective against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in lab settings.
Prof Ho used his AI platform, known as IDentif.AI, to determine the combination and dosage.
The study involved two antiviral drugs that have been used to fight Covid-19 infections.
Currently, Paxlovid is about 90 per cent effective in preventing the need for hospitalisation or infection progression, when given within five days of symptoms appearing.
Molnupiravir is around 30 per cent effective, said Associate Professor David Allen, who was involved in the study. He is the associate vice-president of health innovation and translation at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
To read more : The Straits Times
