Innovations in drug development not only save lives but also extend them. Yet, bringing a new drug to market is no small feat. It requires immense data, thorough testing, and significant financial investment. In 2023, the FDA approved 55 new drugs, the second-highest number in 30 years. This shows the payoff of these efforts.

Developing a drug takes 10-15 years. It costs about $2.6 billion from discovery to FDA approval. Pharmaceutical companies adopt Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to speed up drug development. This technology truncates clinical trial planning timelines.

Trials are complex and costly. They involve many steps, from designing protocols to recruiting patients and analyzing data. These steps are not only time-consuming but also introduce significant delays and expenses. Better technology and streamlining can cut time and costs. This brings life-saving drugs to market faster.

Getting data to the FDA during a clinical trial requires thorough preparation.

It involves a lengthy process that starts after the patient's last visit.

This process usually spans between four and six months.

With AI, we've can reduce that wait to mere days.

Platforms like Casino Bizzo leverage cutting-edge technologies to streamline their operations. Pharmaceutical companies can exploit this technology to speed up their drug trials.

Getting the Data House in Order

To use AI in drug development, you must build a strong data foundation. This means combining data from trial sites and patient records. It also means using genomic databases and other internal sources. The data is all put into one central place. This central data hub allows for better management. It also allows for better analysis and for better use of machine learning.

Leading drug companies are setting up fancy data systems. These include data lakes and meshes. They use them to handle all kinds of structured, unstructured, and real-time data.

Moreover, ensuring the data is reliable and well-documented is critical. You need to know how it's collected, where it's stored if it needs cleaning, and its accuracy over time. This is essential for high-quality outcomes in AI. With inconsistent data, any downstream AI risks generating misleading outcomes.

Building a robust data posture is more than a one-person job. It's about developing a culture with process elements that go beyond technology. Companies must educate employees to grasp and apply data for AI optimization. They are appointing key roles, such as data stewards and chief data officers. They can help manage this data. AI is easier with the right team, transparent processes, and reasonable measures.

Advancing Drug Development with AI

Once companies organize and improve their data. They can use AI and machine learning to improve their operations. This is where the real payoff enters the equation.

But only some AI solutions can improve drug development now. Pharma companies need to find where AI can help most and add these solutions where they'll help the most.

Some of the areas showing promise for initial AI improvements are as follows:

• GenAI models can design clinical trial protocols. They combine patient data, research archives, and past trial data. This creates the first trial drafts. They can shave weeks or months off the lengthy documentation process.
• We can use algorithms to predict which patient groups will likely adhere to trials. Ensuring cohort retention pays dividends.
• Manufacturers use AI to forecast. It helps them balance drug production batches. This avoids shortages or waste.
• Language models show promise in helping to write regulatory documents. They learn from past submissions, but it's the company that must still automate them.

Begin with select AI areas that promise significant results, avoiding a workflow overhaul. A series of subtle improvements revolutionize the drug development process.

How to Take the Plunge

A major pharmaceutical company wanted to lead globally in drug development. To start, they reviewed their methods with a six-week study. It included interviews with over 50 experts. This helped them find 36 areas for improvement. For example, they could make processes smoother and use data better.

The study found that disconnected systems and missing information were causing delays. It suggested that better measures and system updates could help. They've could solve these issues.

Companies need to tap AI's potential for accelerated drug development. AI is helping to optimize many stages. with preclinical tests, going to clinical trials, and regulatory approvals.

Good data management and AI can speed up the development of new medicines. They can also speed up delivering them to patients. The transition to these technologies is gradual but promising.