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A US-based biotechnology company, Insilico Medicine, has unveiled the first bipedal humanoid robot, “Supervisor,” designed to enhance research efficiency in drug discovery labs. The humanoid will assist with tasks such as lab tours, telepresence, and experiment supervision. This innovation is part of the company’s broader strategy to integrate AI-driven automation into pharmaceutical research.
Modern lab environments are still heavily dependent on human operation, as existing automated systems require human intervention for maintenance and reagent changes. Humanoid robots like Supervisor aim to close this gap by performing intricate lab tasks, such as pipetting and handling reagents, allowing for more autonomous research facilities. Insilico Medicine envisions these AI-driven systems not only revolutionizing drug discovery but also contributing to sustainability efforts like carbon capture.
Since launching its fully robotic LifeStar1 laboratory in 2022, Insilico Medicine has developed AI-powered workflows for studying diseases, aging, and drug discovery. A recent study in Aging and Disease demonstrated the potential anti-aging effects of ISM001-055, a drug currently in clinical trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The company’s AI-driven Pharma.AI platform has also produced 30 drug candidates, 10 of which have entered clinical trials.
Early results from a Phase IIa trial (NCT05938920) suggest that ISM001-055 is safe and well-tolerated, showing improvements in lung function. These findings highlight the potential of AI-powered drug discovery to accelerate the development of new treatments while improving their safety and efficacy. Insilico Medicine continues to refine its AI and robotic technologies to advance pharmaceutical and aging research.
