The expectations of in silico fragment-based drug design and future challenges

INTRODUCTION: Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) employs the Grow-Merge-Link (GML) model to identify therapeutic compounds through a combination of experimental and computational techniques. Generative models facilitate compound design, predict interactions, and enhance chemical diversity. AREAS COVERED: methods where AI-ML accelerates discovery. Reinforcement learning optimizes properties, saving resources for targets like kinases and GPCRs. Generative chemistry enables de novo design, boosting diversity and IP, with pocket-aware design ensuring relevance and ADMET evaluation. Advances in VAEs and reinforcement learning speed up analogue creation and SAR by catalogue. EXPERT OPINION: AI is transforming FBDD by automating compound design, predicting fragment-protein interactions, and expanding chemical diversity through deep learning, generative models, and reinforcement learning. These tools accelerate hit-to-lead processes, improve drug properties, and support multi-objective optimisation. AI enables fragment generation, pocket-specific design, and large-scale virtual screening, aiding the targeting of challenging proteins and modalities such as PROTACs and molecular glues. Larger fragment libraries enhance model training; although experimental validation remains key, AI reduces development time, improves accuracy, and broadens FBDD's scope.