How AI is Transforming Drug Discovery (and Might Cure Cancer), w/ Moderna's VP of AI, Brice Challamel

AI-Curious with Jeff Wilser

In this episode of AI Curious, we explore one of the most profound applications of artificial intelligence—drug discovery and the future of personalized medicine. AI is already transforming how we develop treatments, and at the forefront of this revolution is Brice Challamel, VP of AI Products and Platforms at Moderna.

We dive deep into how AI is accelerating the discovery of life-saving drugs, including how mRNA technology—the foundation of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine—is shaping the next generation of treatments for cancer, rare diseases, and viruses. Brice shares insights on AI-powered protein design, how AI can give us an “evolutionary boost” in medicine, and what the future of personalized medicine looks like.

Key Topics:

• (3:50) Brice’s journey from Google to Moderna—why AI in biotech is his biggest passion

• (8:56) How AI played a critical role in the rapid development of Moderna’s COVID vaccine

• (12:28) The role of AI in drug discovery: understanding proteins and optimizing treatments

• (17:18) The rise of personalized cancer treatments—could AI help cure cancer?

• (30:10) The future of medicine: How AI is unlocking breakthroughs across multiple diseases

• (39:59) The biggest challenges—clinical trials, regulatory frameworks, and operational hurdles

• (46:02) AI’s impact on data security and patient privacy

• (49:05) The future of AI-powered healthcare: a world of personalized treatments, AI-driven patient care, and faster drug development

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about how AI is reshaping medicine, the ethics and challenges of deploying AI in healthcare, and what lies ahead for biotech, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.