China Poised for Early Approval of Fully AI-Designed Drug as Pharma R&D Shifts to AI-Native Compounds
According to the source, Merck China leadership expects the industry to move from AI-assisted discovery to fully AI-designed compounds entering pipelines by 2026, with China potentially approving a first AI-designed drug as early as next year. The development signals a strategic shift in drug R&D, raising stakes around regulatory frameworks, data governance, and competitive IP positioning.