Artificial Cells and Biomimetic Cells: Intelligent Systems Driving a Paradigm Shift in Drug Discovery and Delivery

The convergence of synthetic biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence drives a transformative shift in biopharmaceutical research, advancing from passive drug carriers to intelligent, programmable therapeutics. This review evaluates artificial and biomimetic cells as a framework that connects fundamental biological discovery with clinical translation. It examines five key technological pathways: membrane-engineered artificial cells, membraneless organelle (MLO) systems, multicompartmental artificial cells, protocell communication networks, and virtual cells. These platforms enable precise regulation of drug stability, targeting, biosynthesis, and adaptive responsiveness. Recent progress includes microenvironment-triggered release, logic-gated intercellular communication, and virtual cell-assisted high-throughput screening and toxicity prediction. Despite these advances, challenges remain in scalable manufacturing, long-term stability, and regulatory adaptation. The integration of closed-loop learning, interpretable models, and advanced biomanufacturing will be essential to position artificial and biomimetic cell systems at the forefront of next-generation precision medicine.