From Code to Cells: Dov Gertz of Converge Bio on Generative AI and the Future of Drug Discovery

🎙 Tech and Drugs – Season 02, Episode 03From Code to Cells: Dov Gertz of Converge Bio on Generative AI and the Future of Drug DiscoveryIn this episode, I sat down with Dov Gertz, CEO and co-founder of Converge Bio, a company pushing generative AI directly into the language of biology.Dov represents a new breed of scientist.Trained in computer science and bioinformatics, with research roots in CRISPR discovery alongside leading pioneers like Jennifer Doudna, he is now building AI systems that don’t just analyze biology but actively design it.This conversation sits at the heart of what’s changing in our industry right now - From data to models to real-world impact.What we cover:✔️ Dov’s journey from computer science to CRISPR research and AI-driven biology✔️ Why the biggest bottleneck in AI for drug discovery is not compute, but data quality✔️ The shift from traditional AI to generative AI and why it changes everything✔️ How Converge Bio trains models directly on DNA, RNA, and protein sequences✔️ Why biology is fundamentally harder than NLP despite having more raw data✔️ The rise of autonomous labs and why they are critical to unlock AI’s full potential✔️ Why most clinical failures are not about targets, but about molecules✔️ How generative models can design better antibodies in a single iteration✔️ The reality of AI agents in science and why we are still far from “AI researchers”✔️ Why small, highly skilled teams are outperforming large R&D organizations✔️ The transition from AI experimentation to industrialization in pharma✔️ When we will actually see AI impact FDA approvals (and why it will take time)One idea that stood out for me: We are finally moving from AI as a tool… to AI as a generator of biology.That’s a very different paradigm.Dov brings a clear and grounded perspective on where AI truly works today, where it still struggles, and why the next breakthroughs will come from combining better data, better models, and tighter integration with experimental systems.If you care about the future of drug discovery, the role of generative AI in biology, and what it takes to move from promise to real impact, this episode is for you.I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.