A Turing Test for Molecular GeneratorsClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Jacob T. BushJacob T. BushGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Jacob T. Bush
- Peter PoganyPeter PoganyGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Peter Pogany
- Stephen D. PickettStephen D. PickettGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Stephen D. Pickett
- Mike BarkerMike BarkerGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Mike Barker
- Andrew BaxterAndrew BaxterGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Andrew Baxter
- Sebastien CamposSebastien CamposGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Sebastien Campos
- Anthony W. J. CooperAnthony W. J. CooperGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Anthony W. J. Cooper
- David HirstDavid HirstGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by David Hirst
- Graham InglisGraham InglisGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Graham Inglis
- Alan NadinAlan NadinGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Alan Nadin
- Vipulkumar K. PatelVipulkumar K. PatelGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Vipulkumar K. Patel
- Darren PooleDarren PooleGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Darren Poole
- John PritchardJohn PritchardGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by John Pritchard
- Yoshiaki WashioYoshiaki WashioGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Yoshiaki Washio
- Gemma WhiteGemma WhiteGSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Gemma White
- Darren V. S. Green*Darren V. S. Green*Email: [email protected]GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2NY, U.K.More by Darren V. S. Green
Abstract

Machine learning approaches promise to accelerate and improve success rates in medicinal chemistry programs by more effectively leveraging available data to guide a molecular design. A key step of an automated computational design algorithm is molecule generation, where the machine is required to design high-quality, drug-like molecules within the appropriate chemical space. Many algorithms have been proposed for molecular generation; however, a challenge is how to assess the validity of the resulting molecules. Here, we report three Turing-inspired tests designed to evaluate the performance of molecular generators. Profound differences were observed between the performance of molecule generators in these tests, highlighting the importance of selection of the appropriate design algorithms for specific circumstances. One molecule generator, based on match molecular pairs, performed excellently against all tests and thus provides a valuable component for machine-driven medicinal chemistry design workflows.
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