AI Project Aims to Make Medication Safer for Women

September 15, 2026 - 14:05

A research team led by Michigan State University has received more than $4.6 million from the National Institutes of Health to develop new tools that could change how medications are prescribed to women. The project brings together experts from several universities who will use artificial intelligence and computational modeling to better predict how drugs affect female patients.

For years, many medications have been tested and dosed based on data that did not fully account for differences between men and women. Body composition, hormone cycles, and other biological factors can influence how a drug moves through the body and how well it works. These gaps have led to harmful side effects and less effective treatment for many women.

The team plans to build models that simulate drug behavior in female patients, drawing on large datasets and machine learning methods. The goal is to give doctors better guidance on dosing and treatment choices, moving toward what researchers call precision care.

The work covers several areas of women's health, including conditions that have historically received less research attention. By combining computer science with clinical knowledge, the project aims to close long-standing gaps in medical evidence.

Researchers say the funding will support the effort for several years and involve partnerships across disciplines. The results could eventually inform prescribing guidelines and reduce avoidable risks for millions of women.