--- title: "Martin Shkreli Is out of Prison, so of Course He’s Getting Into Web3" description: "Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli is reportedly launching a Web3 drug discovery platform called Druglike, allegedly to democratize and decentralize the industry." date: "2022-07-25" modified: "2022-07-25" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/martin-shkreli-out-prison-web3" categories: - "Health & Medicine" - "Medical" - "RX and Medicine" tags: - "drug discovery" - "martin shkreli" - "pharma bro" - "web3" --- # Martin Shkreli Is out of Prison, so of Course He’s Getting Into Web3 ![Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli is reportedly launching a Web3 drug discovery platform called Druglike, allegedly to democratize and decentralize the industry.]() *\Image: Drew Angerer/Getty Images\* Can this man not just leave us all alone? Following a [too-short stint in prison]() for running a "[Ponzi-like" securities fraud]() scheme, [cursed "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli]() — the infamous pharmaceutical exec known for purchasing a life-saving drug and subsequently raising its price by 5,000 percent — is [unfortunately back in business](), just months after his May 2022 release from jail. His new venture? The former hedge fund manager and convicted felon has cofounded a Web3 drug discovery platform called Druglike — yes, really — which according to its website seeks to "democratize" the process of finding and developing new medicines. It's an interesting move for someone who's been [banned from the pharmaceutical industry]() for exceedingly undemocratic behavior. And as it probably goes without saying... we're pretty skeptical. Drug discovery is, in short, the process by which new drugs are developed and approved for preclinical study. It's a [long and tedious process]() that requires a lot of time, money, and resources. According to a press release, Druglike is apparently building a "decentralized" drug discovery computing network, offering a free platform to aid the development of medicines. "We started Druglike because in our experience, traditional drug discovery software is too difficult and expensive to use," claimed the [Cracker Barrel enthusiast](), as quoted in the press release. "Druglike will remove barriers to early-stage drug discovery, increase innovation and allow a broader group of contributors to share the rewards." The endeavor's claims are rooted in something called "Proof-of-Optimization," which the press release describes as "a novel blockchain consensus mechanism" that supposedly allows for students, researchers, activists, and others to securely collaborate on molecule development. "For the first time, any computer or phone with access to the web might be responsible and rewarded for discovering the next breakthrough medicine," Shkreli's remarks continued. "We will disrupt the economics of the drug business by allowing a wide pool of innovators and contributors, rather than only pharmaceutical giants, to profit from drug discovery." To be fair, it doesn't sound like the *worst* idea in the world. But it's also presented by, ahem, Martin Shkreli, who is justifiably considered a supervillain by many. He's also been banned from pharmaceuticals for good reason, and it's uncomfortable to hear him preach about democratizing the industry that he notoriously manipulated for personal gain. **More on Pharma Bro:** *[Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli Released From Prison, Seen Eating at Cracker Barrel]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()