Anthropic Moves Into AI Drug Development, but Experts Say FDA Approval Is a Decade Away

Anthropic is extending generative AI beyond model services into drug development, targeting neglected diseases that have long lacked commercial resources and launching Claude Science, a workspace designed for scientists. The move is significant because AI companies are no longer merely providing research tools but are becoming directly involved in developing and validating drug candidates.

Anthropic recently announced that it would develop new drugs itself, though reports did not disclose the exact announcement date, investment amount or timeline for its first drug. Medical experts said AI can accelerate the search for candidate molecules but remains constrained by shortages of high-quality data, clinical trials and regulatory reviews. They estimate that securing U.S. FDA approval will take at least another 10 years.