Artificial Intelligence Drug Design

Artificial Intelligence Drug Design XuetangX Course
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Course Description

Artificial intelligence is transforming drug discovery, dramatically accelerating the identification of new therapies and reducing the costs and timelines of traditional drug development.

Artificial Intelligence in Drug Design is a cutting-edge 2-credit course developed by the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Fudan University, integrating AI technology across the entire drug research and development workflow.

This free, self-paced course is led by Professor Wei Fu and features joint instruction from several professors within the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences as well as industry experts from Insilico Medicine. You will systematically learn key technologies such as AI-driven target discovery, AlphaFold protein structure prediction, molecular generation, and ADMET property prediction.

Through practical case studies and hands-on computer sessions, you will gain firsthand experience operating AI-powered drug design tools. This course is ideal for students with a pharmaceutical background seeking to rapidly acquire core competencies in AI-empowered drug discovery, fostering interdisciplinary innovation capabilities for the future.

Course Provider

Provider: Fudan University, one of China's most prestigious universities, delivered through XuetangX.

Platform: XuetangX online learning platform – fully online, self‑paced.

Lead Instructor: Professor Wei Fu, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fudan University.

Course Syllabus

Chapter 0: How to Learn This Lesson – Course outcomes, knowledge graph.
Chapter 1: Introduction – AI in drug discovery, development of AI, AIDD & CADD.
Chapter 2: The Application of AI in Drug Design – AI methods in drug discovery, industry challenges.
Chapter 3: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence – Convolutional Neural Networks, Graph Neural Networks.
Chapter 4: AI-Based Drug Target Identification – Concepts, technologies, data sources, application scenarios.
Chapter 5: Protein Structure Prediction and Design – Traditional methods, AI for protein design, AlphaFold.
Chapter 6: AI-Assisted Drug Structure Design – Direct and indirect drug design, molecular characterization, AI-powered molecular generation.
Chapter 7: AI-Assisted Drug Delivery System Design – Formulation, screening of new delivery materials, DDS delivery mechanisms.
Chapter 8: Applications of AI in Molecular Generation and Retrosynthetic Analysis – Molecular representation, generation, retrosynthetic analysis.

Learning Objectives

  • Systematically learn AI-driven target discovery, AlphaFold protein structure prediction, molecular generation, and ADMET property prediction.
  • Understand the application of Convolutional Neural Networks and Graph Neural Networks in drug discovery.
  • Master drug target identification technologies and AI-based target identification applications.
  • Learn protein structure prediction and AI for protein design, including AlphaFold.
  • Gain hands-on experience operating AI-powered drug design tools.
  • Develop interdisciplinary innovation capabilities for the future.

Course Prerequisites

Technical: A pharmaceutical or life sciences background is recommended. Familiarity with basic drug discovery concepts is helpful but not strictly required.

Language: The course is available in English. The XuetangX platform interface can be switched to English.

Who should take this: Students with a pharmaceutical background seeking to rapidly acquire core competencies in AI-empowered drug discovery, as well as professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, data scientists, and researchers interested in the intersection of AI and drug development.

User Reviews

★★★★★ Elena Martinez

"This course is a game-changer for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and drug discovery. The content is cutting-edge and the hands-on sessions are incredibly valuable. Professor Fu is an excellent instructor. Highly recommended!"

★★★★★ David Kim

"As a pharmaceutical researcher, I found this course to be exactly what I needed to understand how AI is transforming our field. The modules on AlphaFold and molecular generation were particularly insightful. The industry perspective from Insilico Medicine added real-world relevance."

★★★★☆ Sophie Laurent – August 20, 2026

"A comprehensive and well-structured course. The content is dense but manageable. I appreciated the balance between theory and practical application. The certificate from Fudan University is a great addition to my portfolio. A must-take for anyone in drug discovery."

Based on 180+ ratings on XuetangX.

💡 Final Thoughts

This course is at the forefront of the AI revolution in drug discovery. It offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts at Fudan University and Insilico Medicine. Whether you're a pharmaceutical professional, a data scientist, or a researcher, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI in drug development. The practical case studies and hands-on sessions make it an invaluable learning experience. The free certificate from Fudan University is a prestigious credential to showcase your expertise.

Artificial Intelligence Drug Design – FAQ

Is this course really free?

Yes, completely free. XuetangX offers this course at no cost. You just need to create a free account on the platform.

Do I need any prior experience?

A pharmaceutical or life sciences background is recommended. Familiarity with basic drug discovery concepts is helpful but not strictly required.

How long does the course take?

The course is self-paced. It is a 2-credit course that you can complete at your own pace within the enrollment period.

Will I receive a certificate or badge?

Yes, upon passing the final exam, you'll receive a certificate of completion from Fudan University and XuetangX. You can share it on LinkedIn and other platforms.

Is the course in English or Chinese?

The course is available in English. The XuetangX platform interface can be switched to English.

What topics are covered?

The course covers AI-driven target discovery, AlphaFold protein structure prediction, molecular generation, ADMET property prediction, AI-assisted drug delivery system design, and molecular generation and retrosynthetic analysis.