Why Deep Origin Is Betting on Both Physics and AI for Drug Discovery (EP 132)

In this episode of The Harry Glorikian Show, Harry interviews Michael Antonov and Garegin Papoian, co-founders of Deep Origin. The discussion explores how computational methods—from atomic-level modeling to large generative AI systems—are reshaping how scientists design drugs. Antonov, a software engineer and Oculus co-founder turned longevity researcher, and Papoian, a theoretical chemist and computational biology expert, argue that neither physics nor AI alone can solve biology’s complexity. Deep Origin’s platform unites multi-scale molecular simulations with AI-driven prediction to identify drug candidates faster and with higher accuracy, while maintaining experimental validation. Their long-term vision is to create whole-cell simulations—virtual models that let scientists explore living cells in 3D, test drugs digitally, and ultimately transform our understanding of life and disease.