Nucleate Canada: AI in Drug Discovery - Bridging Hype and Hope

​We are inviting a diverse range of viewpoints, from Nobel Laureate Sir Michael Houghton to venture capital, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceutical research to examine the true potential and limitations of AI in drug discovery. As billions flow into AI-enabled platforms, the speakers will critically evaluate whether the substantial investments are justified by examining real-world implementation challenges, early successes, and failures, while exploring technical limitations, data constraints, and integration hurdles. Experts will analyze capital efficiency versus traditional approaches and provide practical insights into where AI can deliver the greatest near-term value in drug discovery.

💰 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM | A Fireside chat with Sir Michael Houghton (Nobel Laureate & CSO, API)

💰 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Panel
AI in Drug Discovery: Bridging Hype and Hope
Moderator:
Naheed Kurji (Founder and Investor, ex-Recursion and Cyclica)
Panelists:
Ali Bashir (SVP Computational Biology and AI, RezoTx)
Loretta TIOIELA (Managing Partner, Next Sequence)
Stephen MacKinnon (VP Applied ML, Recursion)

This panel is powered by Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute and JLABS @ Toronto

9:00 PM - till late | Nucleate After Party hosted by API

​We want to thank our HQ supporters for championing our open-access mission and empowering the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs!

​Platinum: Eli Lilly and Company, Genentech, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, MilliporeSigma 

​Philanthropic Support: Lyda Hill Philanthropies

​Preferred Partners: Pillar VC, Amino Collective, Excedr, Mercury, Brex, Fedsprout

​In-Kind Support: AcademicLabs, Lens.org, SynBioBeta

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About the Event Host

​​​Nucleate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of biotech leaders. With chapters spanning 41 geographic regions and participation from over 280 academic institutions, Nucleate sparks new intellectual communities and embeds emerging talent within a global biotech community. Through open-access educational programming, Nucleate helps democratize biotech innovation — removing barriers and helping founders concentrate on building transformational technologies. Visit www.nucleate.xyz for more information, and visit https://nucleate.xyz/privacy-policy/ to read our privacy policy.