Chinese scientists use supercomputer to cut new drug screening time from years to seconds

Chinese scientists have launched GalaxyVS, an AI-driven drug discovery platform that slashes the initial screening phase from years to seconds. Powered by China’s Tianhe supercomputers, the system can process molecular interactions at a rate six orders of magnitude faster than existing methods, according to Science and Technology Daily. Researchers at Tsinghua University’s Institute for AI Industry Research developed the platform using DrugCLIP, a virtual screening technique published in *Science* earlier this year. The breakthrough aims to accelerate the identification of lead molecules for treating tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, rare conditions, and emerging infectious threats. Its high throughput could also improve drug research responses during public health crises. The platform’s efficiency stems from its ability to rapidly simulate how compounds interact at a molecular level, a critical step in drug development. GalaxyVS outperforms current global benchmarks by a million-fold in molecular docking—a process used to predict how drug candidates bind to target proteins. This leap in speed could democratize early-stage drug screening, allowing scientists to test vast chemical libraries in real time. The technology builds on China’s advancements in supercomputing and AI-driven scientific research. Tsinghua University’s team highlighted the platform’s potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical innovation, particularly in fields where time is critical. By automating and accelerating early-stage drug discovery, GalaxyVS could reduce the years-long delays that often precede clinical trials. The system’s success underscores the growing role of AI in transforming traditional scientific workflows.