Anthropic Launches AI Tool for Scientists and Says It Will Develop Drugs for Neglected Diseases

Anthropic announced Claude Science at the event “The Briefing: AI for Science” earlier this week. The tool is described as an AI workbench for scientists that integrates fragmented tools and datasets and generates figures and visuals, The Verge reported.

The company stated AI has the potential to dramatically accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and the development of healthcare interventions.

It also noted a long list of biotech and pharma customers already using Claude. Anthropic said it will develop drugs of its own. Head of life sciences Eric Kauderer-Abrams stated the company will focus on discovering treatments for neglected diseases.

The company has been actively hiring biologists and building its own wet labs in the last year. As of July 3, 2026, it has several live job applications for life sciences roles. Anthropic did not respond to The Verge’s requests for comment seeking more details on its drug development plans.

Namshik Han stated AI is applied at every single stage of drug discovery. Matthew Todd stated the drug discovery process would not run autonomously and requires human input and supervision throughout. Frank von Delft stated AI models have not yet come close to making experiments unnecessary.

No AI-designed drug has yet made it through clinical trials and FDA approval to reach market, though some AI-developed candidates have entered clinical trials. It typically takes the better part of a decade for a new drug to go through clinical trials.