Three MIT PhD students reverse-engineered Google's AlphaFold 3, creating Boltz-1 as an open-source alternative for drug discovery. Their platform enables pharmaceutical companies to conduct rapid and cost-effective drug-binding predictions while maintaining free access to the underlying models. Boltz aims to challenge commercial restrictions and offer a more accessible solution within the competitive landscape of AI in drug discovery.

The article discusses the rising influence of Chinese companies in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting their shift from primarily supplying raw materials to becoming significant players in drug discovery and development. It notes that Western pharmaceutical firms are increasingly looking to China for innovative therapies, driven by regulatory reforms and a return of skilled talent, which is reshaping the global biotech landscape.