Montana has passed a new law that makes it easier for patients to access experimental therapies – including AI-supported treatment methods for rare diseases.
As MIT Technology Review reports (https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/31/1140945/montanas-new-right-to-try-law-cant-come-soon-enough-for-some/), the US state of Montana has enacted a new “Right to Try” law designed to facilitate access to experimental therapies for patients with severe or rare diseases. Particularly noteworthy is the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the development and application of these innovative treatment approaches.
Background and Significance of the Law
The “Right to Try” law allows patients who have no other treatment options to access therapies that have not yet been fully approved. This primarily concerns people with rare or hard-to-treat diseases for which there are little or no approved medications available. Montana is one of the states leading the way with expanded legislation to ease access to experimental treatments.
AI as a Driver of New Therapeutic Approaches
In recent years, AI has established itself as a crucial factor in the development of new drugs and therapies. Algorithms can analyze genetic data, predict disease progression, and suggest personalized therapy options. In the case of Brody DeVault, a child with developmental delays mentioned in the MIT Technology Review report, AI-supported genetic analyses and resulting experimental therapies could potentially open new treatment perspectives.
Challenges and Ethical Questions
Despite the opportunities offered by AI-based therapies, there are significant challenges. The safety and efficacy of experimental treatments are often not yet sufficiently researched. Additionally, ethical questions arise regarding informed consent, data privacy, and potential risks to patients. Montana’s new law attempts to strike a balance by defining clear frameworks for access to such therapies.
Impact on Patients and the Healthcare System
For patients, the law represents an important expansion of treatment options, especially when conventional therapies fail. At the same time, experiences from Montana could serve as a model for other states or countries to improve access to innovative therapies. For the healthcare system, the challenge is to responsibly integrate these new technologies while ensuring patient safety.
Why It Matters
The combination of legal innovations and technological advances such as AI could fundamentally change the treatment of rare and serious diseases. By granting patients early access to innovative therapies, the chances of better treatment outcomes increase. At the same time, it becomes clear how important it is to continuously adapt ethical and regulatory frameworks to ensure the responsible use of AI in healthcare.
Outlook
Montana’s “Right to Try” law marks an important step toward patient-centered and technology-supported medicine. The integration of AI in experimental therapies will gain further significance in the coming years. Observers expect that additional states and countries will consider similar regulations to facilitate patient access to life-changing innovations.
Sources: - MIT Technology Review: Montana’s new “right to try” law can’t come soon enough for some (https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/07/31/1140945/montanas-new-right-to-try-law-cant-come-soon-enough-for-some/)
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