Samson A. Oni

AI For Drug Discovery and Development

[Roshan Rao @proteinrosh]

Announcing ESMFold2, our new state-of-the-art structure prediction model capable of predicting structure from single sequences or MSAs. ESMFold2 improves on benchmarks of protein-protein interaction and is particularly strong on predictions of antibody-antigen complexes.

[Samson A. Oni @SamCodee]

In this study, we report an integrated computational drug discovery pipeline combining interpretable machine learning, and structure-based drug discovery to identify PDE4B-selective candidates.

Preprint available at:
https://t.co/5ye1f3mWzc

[Samson A. Oni @SamCodee]

Phosphodiesterase 4B and 4D are closely related cAMP-specific enzymes with highly conserved catalytic domains, yet their pharmacological relevance in COPD therapy differs.

[Samson A. Oni @SamCodee]

PDE4B inhibition is strongly associated with anti-inflammatory benefit, while PDE4D inhibition has been linked to tolerability-limiting adverse effects. This makes PDE4B-selective inhibition an important strategy in the search for safer COPD therapeutics.

[ACEGID @acegid_igh]

Watch Prof. Folasade Ogunsola (VC UNILAG) and Prof. Georg Holländer (Oxford, BRCCH) reflect on their visit to IGH, where they met with our leadership to discuss research and collaboration for child health.

[drug hunter @drughunter_com]

2025 Large Molecule FDA Drug Approvals | https://t.co/SMiLVLZhgy

2025 wasn’t just a strong year for small molecules; large molecules delivered meaningful advances for patients in need as well.

Building on our review of 2025 novel small molecule FDA approvals, we turn to the 15 large molecule approvals that accounted for 33% of the year’s total. The class highlights continued diversity across biologic modalities, with a particularly strong showing of ADCs and bispecific antibodies.

A practical differentiator this year was delivery advances, exemplified by pembrolizumab + berahyaluronidase alfa (Keytruda Qlex), enabling subcutaneous administration.

Oncology again led biologics innovation, with approvals spanning PD-1 blockade, ADCs, and BCMA×CD3 bispecifics across solid and hematologic cancers. Beyond oncology, approvals include advanced FcRn, factor XII, APRIL, IL-5, MASP2 (TA-TMA), and PCSK9-directed therapeutics.

In the article, we review these approvals by therapeutic area, target, MoA, dosing/route, and the pivotal clinical evidence supporting each label.

Check out the full Open Access article on Drug Hunter: https://t.co/SMiLVLZhgy

[ACEGID @acegid_igh]

Fighting AMR with action: our Bacteria Whole Genome Sequencing workshop boosts capacity and deepens genomic insight to curb resistance.

We lead with impact this World AMR Awareness Week 2025.

#WAAW2025 #Ighresearch

[Adekunle D. Adebayo @Adekunl28541097]

I learnt about soillessFarmLab last year; I graduated this year, and farmer AkinAlabi advised me to go for soilless Farm training.
I tried it, and now I'm learning at every opportunity, whether it's through training or visiting another farm. Grateful for the opportunity 🙏

[Ming "Tommy" Tang @tangming2005]

1/ If you're doing bioinformatics without Git, you're gambling with your research.
Here are 6 Git commands every bioinformatician must know 🧵

[Oluwaferanmi Oladotun @JustinaFeranmi]

#AMR: THE SILENT PANDEMIC WE CAN’T IGNORE

Imagine a world where a simple cut could turn deadly. Where routine surgeries become life-threatening. Where infections we treat with ease today become untreatable tomorrow.

[Pharmaceuticals MDPI @Pharmaceut_MDPI]

📢#Specialissue: Therapeutic Potential of #Silver #Nanoparticles (#AgNPs), 2nd Edition
⏰Deadline: 25 February 2026
🎓Guest Editors: Dr. Goreti Pereira
📖Find out more at https://t.co/vkMAtVhvAp @MDPIBiologySubj

[Adekunle D. Adebayo @Adekunl28541097]

Best in Soil Microbiology ✅
Best in soil and water management ✅
Best in soil science ✅
Best in everything.

All these I wish I get but didn’t get them.🙃😎
I’m now an official graduate from the university of Ilorin.

Second class upper

We’re not stopping here, we move😎

[Nkeonye @NkeonyeSnr]

You can walk past this man in UITH and you won't even get a hint of his feats. So easy going. And his classes are so smooth >>>

[Oluwaferanmi Oladotun @JustinaFeranmi]

PHARMAGOVIGILANCE: YOUR SECRET SUPERPOWER FOR SAFER MEDS

“Just a painkiller—no big deal,” I told myself.
But with an empty stomach, that little pill turned villain: ulcers, nausea, dizziness.
My “wakeup call” came hard and fast.

[Ming "Tommy" Tang @tangming2005]

1/ When should you use a package vs. solving from scratch in bioinformatics?
I get asked this all the time. Here’s my approach: 👇

[BowTiedBiotech 🧪🔬🧬 @BowTiedBiotech]

1/ 🫁 Merck’s $10B Verona Bet: A Biotech Thread

$MRK will acquire Verona Pharma $VRNA for $10B.

This deal is bigger than it looks.

Let’s unpack what it means for biotech, M&A, and XBI
There is ALOT to learn and we will take you in between the lines 👇🏼

[Oluwaferanmi Oladotun @JustinaFeranmi]

WHEN HOME REMEDIES BECOME A WILD CARD: MY BITTER LEAF LESSON
A PERSONAL TALE
A few years ago, my sister and I fell ill after sharing a street snack and a homemade drink. Soon we both had stomach cramps, bloating, and I picked up a mild fever. Like many in our community,

[Ming "Tommy" Tang @tangming2005]

You inherit someone else’s bioinformatics code.
No comments. No structure. Variable names like x1, foo, temp2.
And now it’s your problem.
Let’s talk about that experience—and how to do better.

[Africa Higher Ed. Centers of Excellence-ACE Impact @the_ACEProject]

New Mpox research from @acegid_igh uncovers hidden transmission patterns & urgent surveillance gaps in West Africa!
🔗 Read the full study: https://t.co/vcg1E9GZPX
#ACEImpact #ACEGID #MpoxResearch #GlobalHealth

[Oluwaferanmi Oladotun @JustinaFeranmi]

CLINICAL TRIALS: HOW WE KEEP MEDICINES SAFE
A REAL-LIFE TRAGEDY
In 2008, Nigerian parents gave their teething babies a syrup called My Pikin. None guessed it contained diethylene glycol—a poisonous chemical found in antifreeze.