Transforming drug discovery through AI

ALS is the most common form of motor neurone disease and there's currently no cure. Could AI help solve this debilitating disease? Nesta's Challenge Works certainly hopes so.

In June 2025, Challenge Works launched the £7.5 million Longitude Prize on ALS, which brings together global multidisciplinary teams to compete in a three-phased programme to identify, prioritise and validate high-potential drug targets for ALS.

Challenge Works tasked Nougie with making a film they could screen at the launch of the prize, telling its story and encouraging teams to get involved.

I often work with Nougie as a producer and director, and they asked if I'd be up for taking this one on. I absolutely was, and it's one of the most impactful projects I've done yet.

Meeting and interviewing ALS patients and hearing their stories was so powerful. One of the patients is Tris Dyson, founder and managing director Challenge Works, so there's a real urgency within his team for this challenge prize to work.

If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved, there's more information here.