Google DeepMind dismantles Nobel-winning AlphaFold team in strategy shift

Google DeepMind broke up the team behind AlphaFold, the protein-structure predictor that won a 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Core members are moving into a new AI drug discovery unit led by co-founder Demis Hassabis. The goal is to turn the technology into actual medicines and shorten drug development timelines. The article does not disclose headcount changes, only that some staff transferred and some left. Worth flagging: going from fundamental research to real drugs still means surviving clinical trials.

Why it matters: FT exclusive on DeepMind dismantling its Nobel-winning team for a drug-discovery pivot. Hits all three HKR axes. Capped below 85 because the piece lacks headcount and pipeline specifics — it's directional, not granular.