Hash Rate pod - Bitcoin, AI, DePIN, DeFi
March 11, 2025

Hash Rate - Ep 099 - Nova $TAO Subnet 68 - The Molecule Hunters

In this episode, Mark Jeffrey hosts Mikela and Pedro from Nova Subnet 68, a biotech company leveraging AI and blockchain for drug discovery. They discuss the innovative use of decentralized networks to expedite molecule selection and the potential for groundbreaking advancements in pharmaceuticals.

1. Decentralized Drug Discovery

  • "We're decentralizing the process of doing inference over which compounds hold a high potential of binding and having the effect you want over specific protein targets."
  • "We're generating giant libraries...we can also become the entry point for other companies to explore other therapeutics in disease areas that aren't necessarily of our interest."
  • Nova Subnet 68 uses AI to identify promising molecules for drug development, reducing the need for costly real-world synthesis.
  • The project employs a decentralized network of miners to predict molecular interactions, akin to a modern SETI@home for drug discovery.
  • By tokenizing assets, Nova aims to distribute value among contributors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem.
  • The approach allows exploration of neglected disease areas, potentially leading to novel therapeutic discoveries.

2. The Role of AI and Blockchain

  • "We're using a model that's considered state-of-the-art in predicting molecular interactions and target activity."
  • "Crypto presents a new use case that I think is particularly suited to solve for this problem."
  • AI models help narrow down billions of potential molecules to those most likely to succeed in drug development.
  • Blockchain technology provides a decentralized platform for funding and collaboration, bypassing traditional VC limitations.
  • The BitTensor network supports innovative projects by offering computation and funding through token emissions.
  • This model encourages high-risk, high-reward research, potentially leading to significant breakthroughs.

3. Challenges and Opportunities

  • "The problem is really hard to break into...but that's why you're seeing people building all different kinds of things and them sticking over time."
  • "We're working hard to guarantee that value loops back to the original contributors of this process."
  • Nova faces challenges in ensuring fair distribution of rewards and maintaining network integrity against potential collusion.
  • The project aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where contributors are fairly compensated for their efforts.
  • The complexity of BitTensor offers both a barrier and a security feature, fostering a dedicated community of innovators.
  • The potential for novel drug discoveries could reshape the pharmaceutical landscape, addressing unmet medical needs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nova Subnet 68 leverages AI and blockchain to revolutionize drug discovery, offering a decentralized approach to molecule selection.
  • The BitTensor network provides a unique platform for funding and collaboration, enabling high-risk research that traditional VCs might overlook.
  • The project aims to democratize drug development, potentially leading to breakthroughs in neglected disease areas.

For further insights, watch the podcast here: Link

Nova Subnet 68 is leading a revolution in drug discovery, harnessing the power of AI and decentralization to explore uncharted chemical territories previously considered too speculative for traditional biotech investment.

Revolutionizing Drug Discovery with AI and Decentralization

  • The conversation begins with Mikela and Pedro of Nova Subnet 68 discussing their innovative approach to drug discovery. They explain their use of AI to streamline molecule selection for synthesis and R&D, emphasizing its role in expediting the process and improving efficiency.
  • Nova's unique approach involves global miners participating in challenges to identify molecules with the highest affinity within the shortest amount of time, while considering key properties crucial for drug development.
  • Highlighting the intersection of biotech and blockchain, they underscore the potential to leverage a decentralized network of collaborators to advance pharmaceutical research.

Similarities to SETI at Home but on a Grander Scale

  • Drawing parallels to the SETI at Home project, Mark Jeffrey equates Nova's efforts to democratize computational power to sift through vast chemical spaces to the hunt for extraterrestrial signals.
  • Mikela elaborates on the use of chemical spaces, encompassing billions of synthesizable molecules, and the pivotal role of machine learning in predicting successful molecular interactions.
  • The conversation highlights the necessity of smart AI strategies to reduce the search space efficiently, avoiding prohibitively expensive brute force methods.
  • This narrative draws listeners into the innovative concept of collective computation reminiscent of decentralized citizen science initiatives.

Intellectual Property and Community Benefits

  • Addressing the lifecycle of discovered molecules, Mikela and Pedro explore how tokenization can allow contributors to share in the intellectual property developed through Nova's network.
  • They clarify the rigorous standards for patent approval, which require more than just computational results.
  • Emphasizing a commitment to mutual benefits, they highlight ongoing efforts to ensure that the value generated by the community is reciprocated to original contributors.
  • This discussion reveals the strategic intention behind structuring Nova's model to ensure community involvement translates into tangible rewards, fostering a new paradigm in biotech R&D incentives.

Why AI and Blockchain?

  • Facing skepticism regarding the integration of blockchain and AI in this realm, Mikela and Pedro passionately advocate for their model, emphasizing the unique advantages it offers over traditional VC-funded enterprises.
  • They explain that while traditional biotech funds often shun high-risk ventures, Nova's decentralized structure empowers daring exploration.
  • Pedro underscores the model's potential to catalyze novel discoveries that were previously overlooked due to funding constraints, presenting a compelling argument for blockchain's transformative role in biotech research.

Navigating Subnet Dynamics

  • As the dialogue shifts to the operational dynamics of Nova's subnet, Pedro unveils their functional structure of 256 miners and active validators to ensure fair competition and eliminate collusion.
  • Mark, drawing on the broader subnet landscape, discusses the enthusiastic response and market dynamics post-DiTO launch.
  • Acknowledging the competition from meme coin networks with captivating user interfaces, Mikela articulates Nova's commitment to complexity and innovation, fostering depth over transient hype.
  • This perspective paints a picture of Nova's adaptive strategy amidst varying market trends.

Witnessing a Biotech Transformation

  • Discussing the team's backgrounds, Mikela and Pedro articulate the personal and professional motivations that lead them to embark on this groundbreaking endeavor.
  • Mikela's journey from strategic roles at Google to embracing an entrepreneurial mission in biotech exemplifies the cross-disciplinary passion fueling Nova's innovations.
  • Pedro, drawing on his computational expertise, acknowledges the synergistic potential of integrating advanced machine learning within drug discovery, amplifying the transformative capacity of decentralized science.

Actionable Takeaways for Investors and Researchers

  • This episode reveals how Nova Subnet 68 is not just contributing to an industry shift but is potentially pioneering a new frontier in drug discovery through its innovative blending of blockchain, AI, and community collaboration.
  • Crypto AI investors should monitor Nova's model as a case study in applying decentralized techniques for real-world biotech applications.
  • Researchers may find the cross-disciplinary tactics discussed as a framework for exploring similar uncharted territories in their fields.

Nova Subnet 68's endeavors illustrate the potential for decentralized, AI-driven models to fill voids traditional R&D structures leave unexplored, presenting a promising avenue for crypto AI investors and researchers eager to observe and partake in this groundbreaking approach to drug discovery.

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