This is a guest article and does not necessarily reflect the views and values of Impetus Digital.
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), it feels like no industry has been left untouched. Even those that might not feel like a natural fit for computers are being shaped and influenced by this technology, with artists and writers utilizing it in new ways. However, in many ways, the methodical nature of the pharma industry goes hand-in-hand with technology, meaning that innovators in this sector can use AI to their advantage.
However, with high levels of sensitive data being handled in pharmaceuticals, with literal lives on the line, it’s important to make sure companies get it right. In this post, we explore three ways AI can be helpful in the pharma industry.
Predicting risk
It’s crucial for companies to stay vigilant when it comes to working with medicines. Whilst there is some level of experimentation to the development of any new drug, it’s important to minimize the risk of harm to life as much as possible, especially when it gets to the animal and human testing stage.
AI may be able to help flag and model any potential risks based on a global database, meaning that it can pick up concerns across existing medicines and studies. In turn, this can help scientists with decision-making for their own products, and may reduce the amount of physical testing needed.
Risk prediction can also be particularly important when understanding how different drugs might interact with each other – a vital component for many people with long-term health conditions.
Dissecting data
Collecting, interpreting, and fully understanding medical data is a lengthy process, and with so many components, there’s room for error. AI can help researchers by bringing out key data insights that they need to be aware of in a matter of minutes, rather than the hours or even days this would take by hand. Think of it like an advanced version of a spreadsheet: graphs, summary tables, and other tools can all help us gain an overview of the data before humans dive into the details.
AI also offers the potential to use far larger datasets than would have been possible previously. This may ultimately improve the drugs on offer, or allow scientists to test their predictions more thoroughly than ever before.
Individual treatment plans
Many illnesses are widespread across certain areas, if not the globe. We’re all prone to coughs and colds, sickness bugs, and even more serious health concerns such as cancer. That means that it’s very feasible for pharmaceutical companies to produce medicines at scale and sell them to a global market for these conditions, confident that they can be used in a variety of settings.
However, there are many rare diseases that can be fatal that aren’t yet curable or preventable. AI may be able to help scientists tackle some of these lesser-known illnesses, using data from around the world, as well as noticing similarities between the rare disease being studied and others. Whilst this doesn’t rule out the need for scientists, it can be a useful tool for creating personalized treatment plans that may go on to save people or improve their quality of life.
These are just three ways that AI can revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. As technology advances, so too does its impact on our health.
About the Author
As a production team member for a pharmaceutical company, Clara McIntosh is always interested in new technologies that may impact her role. She believes that AI can offer opportunities if used in an ethical way and is intrigued to see how the industry adapts.
About Impetus Digital
Impetus Digital helps life science organizations virtualize their in-person meetings and events through our best-in-class InSite Touchpoints™ and InSite Events™ offerings, delivered with white-glove service and 360° coverage and care. Leveraging our large portfolio of cutting-edge online collaboration tools, clients can seamlessly gather insights from, and collaborate with, internal and external stakeholders. To find out more about Impetus Digital, visit our website, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter, or book a demo at meetwithimpetus.com