Revolutionising treatment for pancreatitis-induced lung injury through AI-powered drug discovery

Acute pancreatitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting millions globally. In severe cases, the disease can lead to complications such as acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which account for approximately 60% of related fatalities. Despite its devastating impact, no reliable predictive tools or validated treatments currently exist for these complications. That is why we must innovate to find novel approaches to address this unmet need.

Dr Rishi Mukherjee, a surgeon scientist and the Ronald Finn Senior Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, has been advancing pancreatitis research for 15 years within the Liverpool Pancreatitis Research Group (LPRG). He recently became the first recipient of the UK’s joint Medical Research Council (MRC) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Clinician Scientist Fellowship. This made him one of only a few surgeon scientists to have ever received a clinician scientist award within the UK.  

Through his research, Dr Mukherjee has identified mitochondrial dysfunction, regulated by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and Cyclophilin D (CypD), as a key driver of pancreatitis and associated lung injury. Collaborations with medicinal chemistry experts, including Liverpool’s Therapeutics Innovation Frontier lead Professor Paul O’Neill and LPRG lead Professor Robert Sutton, led to the development of promising preclinical CypD inhibitors. However, the complexity of inflammatory diseases like pancreatitis necessitated a broader approach.

To address this, Dr Mukherjee has integrated AI and machine learning technologies into his research. These advanced tools excel in analysing vast, complex datasets, uncovering biological mechanisms, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. AI-driven drug discovery has already demonstrated significant improvements in clinical trial success rates and speed of development compared to traditional methods.

With his unique fellowship, he aims to integrate large datasets from national collaborators in pancreatitis, polytrauma, and sepsis (all conditions leading to lung injury and potentially ARDS managed by acute surgeons) into a comprehensive multi-omics model. This model will enable the identification of novel biomarkers and drug targets for lung injury. Cutting-edge AI techniques, including new human models for drug testing using induced pluripotent stem cells and multiplexed predictive cellular imaging with modified cell-painting approaches, will streamline the drug discovery process, from high-throughput screening to preclinical testing of GSK and University of Liverpool compounds.

Future impact

Dr Mukherjee’s pioneering efforts in AI-powered drug discovery for pancreatitis-induced lung injury demonstrate the transformative potential of academia-industry collaborations. This project goes beyond simply pushing the frontiers of medical research; it holds the potential to transform the lives of patients and their families by providing new possibilities for treatment and recovery. By introducing innovative solutions, this innovation is set to redefine the future of acute care, shaping the way we approach critical surgical and medical conditions.

By integrating AI technologies with precision medicine, Dr Mukherjee’s research addresses the unmet medical needs of patients suffering from pancreatitis and its complications. The potential benefits include:

• Improved patient outcomes: Early identification of biomarkers and targeted therapies could reduce mortality rates associated with severe pancreatitis and ARDS
• Cost efficiency: AI-driven drug discovery promises to significantly reduce the time and cost of bringing new treatments to market
• Academia-industry collaboration: The fellowship serves as a model for fostering partnerships between academia and industry to drive innovation in medicine.

His work exemplifies how surgeon scientists can lead transformative research, challenging conventional thinking and addressing neglected areas of medicine. The integration of AI and precision medicine into acute care surgery holds the promise of delivering world-class treatments and bringing hope to patients worldwide. This project not only advances the boundaries of medical research but also offers a beacon of hope for patients and their families, redefining the future of acute care.