Verdine weighs AI’s drug-discovery value against capital pressure on biotech
In a Huxiu interview, Harvard professor Gregory L. Verdine said AI benefits drug discovery by changing researchers’ work rather than replacing them. He also argued that AI offers faster and larger returns, while biotech lacks scale effects, making it harder for biotechnology to compete for venture investment. Verdine said Chinese innovation-drug companies remain focused mainly on best-in-class assets and need more long-term investment in novel targets. Tsinghua University pharmacy dean Qian Feng said overseas licensing has become a financing route for Chinese biotech companies struggling to raise capital domestically.
The interview presents competing views on AI’s role in drug discovery and its attraction of investment relative to biotech. It also highlights how Chinese biotech companies are using overseas licensing to finance development. The participants’ investment and market assessments are opinions rather than independently verified findings.
2026年，所有行业都在担心同一件事情：如果AI吸走了一切，包括资源、金钱、人才，那该怎么办？10月22日，适逢哈佛终身教授、生物医药连续成功创业者格雷戈里·维丁访问中国，并接受清华大学客座教授职位后，他与清华大学药学院院长钱锋，与虎嗅在内的媒体，就AI、中美医药创新、出海合规等话题进行了长谈。......
本文由虎嗅旗下健康与抗衰公众号“九叶刀研究”首发，全文约2300字。封面图为现场拍摄，经AI重新设计。
2026年，所有行业都在担心同一件事情：如果AI吸走了一切，包括资源、金钱、人才，那该怎么办？
10月22日，适逢哈佛终身教授、生物医药连续成功创业者格雷戈里·维丁（Gregory L. Verdine）访问中国，并接受清华大学客座教授职位后，他与清华大学药学院院长钱锋，与虎嗅在内的媒体，就AI、中美医药创新、出海合规等话题进行了长谈。
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