Medicine design and drug discovery are evolving rapidly, driven by advances in data science, translational research, emerging technology platforms, and a deeper understanding of disease biology. In this thought leadership interview, we are joined by Leena Otsomaa, Vice President, R&D and Head of Medicine Design at Orion, to explore how innovation is shaping the future of medicine design and influencing the way new therapeutic opportunities are identified, evaluated, and advanced.
Leena shares her perspective on Orion’s approach to integrating new technologies into discovery workflows, including how digital tools, advanced analytics, and data-driven methods can support more informed decision-making across the medicine design process. The discussion considers the trends influencing how medicines are designed and developed today, from the growing use of predictive models and translational insights to the increasing importance of selecting the right targets, patient populations, and development pathways early in discovery.
The conversation also highlights the challenges of translating early discovery into viable clinical candidates. Moving from promising science to a potential medicine requires not only strong biological rationale, but also robust data, drug-like properties, safety considerations, and a clear understanding of clinical relevance. Leena reflects on the importance of balancing innovation with practical development requirements, ensuring that early-stage programmes are designed with a strong foundation for progression.
A key theme is the importance of cross-functional collaboration and data integration in supporting more effective medicine design. By bringing together expertise across biology, chemistry, pharmacology, translational science, computational approaches, and clinical development, organisations can make better-informed decisions earlier in the discovery process. Integrated data and multidisciplinary perspectives help teams identify risks, refine hypotheses, and improve the likelihood that candidates can move successfully toward clinical evaluation.
Looking ahead, the discussion considers the developments in medicine design that are likely to have the greatest impact, including the continued evolution of AI-enabled discovery, more predictive preclinical models, and increasingly sophisticated approaches to understanding disease mechanisms. It also explores how Orion is positioned to contribute to these advances through its scientific expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to applying innovation in ways that support the discovery of meaningful new medicines.
