Low Risk

search

"Find [disease / drug / gene target]" / "Open Targets lookup for [name]" / "what's the Open Targets ID for [X]" — text search across diseases, drug targets, and drugs in the Open Targets Platform (the leading drug-discovery knowledge graph). Returns ranked matches with their canonical IDs (ENSG.....

Risk signalsAccepts freeform code/query input (query)

Part of the Opentargets server.

search is read-only, but an agent in a loop can still rack up calls and cost. PolicyLayer caps every call before it runs. Live in minutes.

SECURE OPENTARGETS →

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AI agents call search to retrieve information from Opentargets without modifying any data. This is common in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows where the agent needs context before taking action. Because read operations don't change state, they are generally safe to allow without restrictions -- but you may still want rate limits to control API costs.

Even though search only reads data, uncontrolled read access can leak sensitive information or rack up API costs. An agent caught in a retry loop could make thousands of calls per minute. A rate limit gives you a safety net without blocking legitimate use.

Read-only tools are safe to allow by default. No rate limit needed unless you want to control costs.

policy.json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "search": {}
  }
}

See the full Opentargets policy for all 27 tools.

Get this rule live on your own Opentargets server in minutes. PolicyLayer enforces it on every call, before it runs.

ENFORCE ON MY OPENTARGETS →

View all 27 tools →

These attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access search gives an agent. Each links to the full case and the policy that stops it:

Browse the full MCP Attack Database →

Every attack above starts with a tool call. PolicyLayer checks each one against your policy first, so search only ever does what you allow.

SECURE OPENTARGETS →

Other read tools across the catalogue. The same approach applies to each: allow, with a rate cap to control cost.

What does the search tool do? +

"Find [disease / drug / gene target]" / "Open Targets lookup for [name]" / "what's the Open Targets ID for [X]" — text search across diseases, drug targets, and drugs in the Open Targets Platform (the leading drug-discovery knowledge graph). Returns ranked matches with their canonical IDs (ENSG... for targets, EFO_... for diseases, CHEMBL... for drugs). Use first to find IDs, then call target/disease/drug for details.. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Opentargets MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on search? +

Register the Opentargets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Opentargets. Nothing to install.

What risk level is search? +

search is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit search? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the search rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block search completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for search. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides search? +

search is provided by the Opentargets MCP server (https://gateway.pipeworx.io/opentargets/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Opentargets tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 27 Opentargets tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

Free to start. No card required.

4,600+ MCP servers and 31,000+ tools scanned and risk-classified.

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