Predictive, integrative, and regulatory aspects of AI-driven computational toxicology - Highlights of the German Pharm-Tox Summit (GPTS) 2024

The 9th German Pharm-Tox Summit (GPTS) and the 90th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) took place in Munich from March 13-15, 2024. The event brought together over 700 participants from around the world to discuss cutting-edge developments in the fields of pharmacology and toxicology as well as scientific innovations and novel insights. A key focus of the conference was on the rapidly increasing role of computational toxicology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) into the field, marking a shift away from traditional methods and allowing the reduction of animal testing as primary tool for toxicological risk assessment. Tools such as Toxometris.ai showcased the potential of AI-based risk assessments for predicting carcinogenicity, offering more ethical and efficient alternatives. Additionally, computer-driven models like computer-aided pattern analysis (C@PA) for drug toxicity prediction were presented, emphasizing the growing role of chem- and bioinformatic applications in computational sciences. Throughout the summit, there was a strong focus on the need for regulatory innovation to support the adoption of these advanced technologies and ensure the safety and sustainability of chemical substances and drugs.