Respond: repurposing drugs for respiratory disorders using a hybrid neuro-symbolic AI approach

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health awarded St. John's University, New York, $562,500 under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program on July 15, 2026, to develop RESPOND, a hybrid neuro-symbolic artificial intelligence system designed to identify FDA-approved drugs suitable for repurposing as treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The award funds research using novel AI tools to analyze biomedical data including drug information, disease pathways, and genetic factors to identify candidates targeting biological pathways known to drive these progressive lung diseases. Promising drug candidates identified through the AI system will undergo laboratory experimentation and animal testing to evaluate effectiveness in slowing disease progression. The project includes a research training component providing undergraduate students with involvement in all phases of the work, including data analysis, experimental testing, and scientific communication. Performance occurs in Jamaica, New York, over the period July 15, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The project aims to improve treatment options for patients with these conditions and establish a framework for accelerating drug discovery in other complex diseases using artificial intelligence.

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are serious, progressive lung diseases that currently lack effective treatments targeting the root causes of the conditions. PAH is caused by high blood pressure in the lungs that can lead to heart failure, while IPF involves scarring in the lungs that worsens over time and reduces breathing capacity. This project aims to discover new treatment options by repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs using a novel artificial intelligence system called respond. Respond introduces novel AI tools that can analyze large sets of biomedical data such as drug information, disease pathways, and genetic factors to identify drugs that may be effective against PAH and IPF. The project focuses on targeting specific biological pathways known to drive these diseases. Promising drug candidates will be tested through laboratory experiments and animal studies to evaluate their effectiveness in slowing disease progression. A key goal of this project is to provide meaningful research training opportunities for undergraduate students. Students will be involved in all phases of the research, including data analysis, experimental testing, and scientific communication, helping to prepare the next generation of scientists. The overall goal is to improve treatment options for patients with PAH and IPF and to establish a framework for using AI to accelerate drug discovery in other complex diseases.