Anthropic expands AI for drug discovery with launch of Claude Science research workbench

USA—Anthropic has strengthened its presence in the life sciences sector with the launch of Claude Science, a new artificial intelligence (AI) research workbench designed to help scientists streamline drug discovery and biomedical research.

The platform, which is currently available in beta, brings together scientific tools, databases and computing resources into a single workspace to improve research efficiency.

Claude Science runs on Linux and macOS and can also be accessed through a remote machine.

Instead of requiring researchers to switch between multiple applications, the platform integrates commonly used resources such as PubMed, Jupyter and R into one environment.

Scientists can search literature, analyse data, generate figures and create scientific outputs without leaving the application.

 Every result can also be traced back to its source code and computing environment, making research more transparent and reproducible.

Designed for modern biomedical research

According to Anthropic, Claude Science includes more than 60 built-in scientific capabilities covering genomics, structural biology, proteomics and cheminformatics.

Researchers can use the platform to design CRISPR screening experiments, analyse single-cell RNA sequencing data and generate three-dimensional protein structures, chemistry drawings and genome browser tracks.

The company says the platform helps scientists complete complex, multi-step workflows more quickly while reducing the need to move between disconnected software tools.

The launch builds on Anthropic’s October 2025 entry into the life sciences, when it introduced Claude for Life Sciences.

Unlike that earlier offering, Claude Science provides a dedicated workspace tailored specifically for scientific research rather than a general-purpose chatbot.

Anthropic also announced a programme that will provide up to US$30,000 in computing credits for selected biomedical research projects using the platform.

Growing investment in drug discovery

Anthropic is also expanding beyond software development into drug discovery.

The company has established an internal research programme focused on developing treatments for neglected diseases.

Company executives say the initiative will help Anthropic better understand scientists’ needs while improving future AI tools for pharmaceutical research.

The announcement comes as Anthropic continues discussions about US export restrictions on some of its most advanced AI models, including Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, which remain subject to tighter controls due to national security concerns.

Competition intensifies across healthcare AI

Anthropic’s latest move reflects growing competition among technology companies seeking a larger role in healthcare and pharmaceutical research.

Companies including OpenAI and Google have introduced AI platforms to support scientists, while pharmaceutical manufacturers increasingly integrate these technologies into research and development.

In May 2026, Anthropic signed a strategic agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to deploy Claude across more than 30,000 employees working in research, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercial operations.

Meanwhile, OpenAI has formed partnerships with Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Moderna and Sanofi to incorporate AI into drug discovery and development programmes.

Anthropic’s latest product launch also coincides with its broader push into scientific research ahead of a planned public offering.

Company executives recently said Claude Science is intended to become a central operating environment for researchers by combining scientific databases, computational tools, and AI-assisted workflows into a single integrated platform.