AI-Designed Drug Shows Promise for Crohn’s Disease Treatment
London,UK – October 12,2025 – Researchers have developed a novel drug candidate,enterololin,specifically targeting a bacterium linked to chronic intestinal inflammation in Crohn’s disease,utilizing artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery process. The experimental molecule is projected to enter clinical trials within three years, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue for millions suffering from the debilitating autoimmune condition.
Crohn’s disease, affecting an estimated 1.6 million Americans and over half a million people in the UK alone, causes persistent inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, malnutrition, and fatigue. Current treatments frequently enough involve broad-spectrum immunosuppressants with significant side effects.This new approach, however, focuses on selectively neutralizing adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) – a bacterium known to adhere to intestinal cells and exacerbate inflammation - while preserving the beneficial bacteria within the gut microbiome.
The breakthrough stems from a research team led by Jonathan Stokes, who harnessed the power of AI to identify enterololin. The AI model was able to pinpoint a molecule with a narrow spectrum of activity,capable of targeting AIEC and other harmful bacteria without disrupting the delicate balance of the intestinal microbiota. “This new drug is a very promising therapeutic candidate for the millions of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease,” Stokes stated.
The research team anticipates that enterololin could be ready for human clinical trials by 2028. Beyond the potential treatment for Crohn’s, the project underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing medical research and accelerating drug progress timelines. Researchers hope their success will encourage wider adoption of AI tools within the medical community.
