As we edge closer to 2025, advances in long-read sequencing technologies, increasing biobank participation, and a growing emphasis on pharmacogenomics are all set to transform how we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Below, Neil Ward, VP of Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) EMEA, offers insights on what’s happening now—and what’s next—as genomics and precision medicine finally deliver on their promise…
From biology-first AI to structured digital twin adoption, 4 shifts coming to biopharma R&D in 2025
In 2023, the composite success rate for clinical development in biopharma hit its highest level since 2018 thanks to the adoption of novel trial designs, predictive biomarkers, and digital methodologies, according to IQVIA. But waning R&D productivity is a significant industry concern. A substantial number of life science executives believe their organizations need to rethink…
Why scientific AI needs clear lines of sight — especially for fields like drug development
Today’s large language models can be as unreliable as they are eloquent. Their tendency to fabricate facts and lose the thread makes them risky tools for scientific research, especially in highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and chemistry. They also struggle to provide sources and will fabricate a bogus academic journal without batting an eye. Speaking…
How spatial AI is uncovering the hidden truths of breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the nation, with over 300,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed this year. While the narrative for breast cancer early detection centers around mammograms, the gold standard for diagnosis, clinicians have tapped into enhancing radiology and X-ray imaging using artificial intelligence (AI). This AI-enhanced approach…
GenAI is an ‘always available intern’ but for delicate pharma tasks, human guidance is critical
ChatGPT may be one of the quickest adopted tech platforms in recent memory, but the potential of it and other large language models ability transform the world has also been met with occasional provider outages, hallucinations, and memory problems. “There’s a lot of resentment towards the hype,” notes Christopher M. McSpiritt, head of life sciences…
QuantHealth’s AI simulates 100+ clinical trials with 85% accuracy
QuantHealth, an AI-focused clinical trial design company based out of Tel Aviv, has announced the completion of more than 100 simulated clinical trials, reporting an 85% accuracy rate. The company, which received $17 million in a Series A funding round with backing from Accenture, aims to chip away at the steep costs and stubborn timelines…
How Nucleai’s spatial biology tech aims to accelerate drug development
Nucleai, founded in 2018 and based in Chicago and Tel Aviv, is pioneering new ground in spatial biology. Its AI-powered technology provides crucial context for tumor analysis, moving beyond traditional, static biopsy images to highlight cellular interactions that influence disease progression and treatment response. Innovation, in many cases, happens at the overlap of different domains,…
What if AI makes good on its promise to reshape the pharma productivity?
One of the top promises of artificial intelligence/machine learning in drug discovery is reversing decades of dwindling productivity. But imagine if the technology makes good on its promise. And perhaps six or seven years from now, in which productivity is doubled, leaving pharma firms to have, theoretically, early stage pipelines that are twice as large.…
Survey: Wielding AI magic in clinical trials requires a master’s touch
eClinical’s Industry Outlook 2024 report highlights a significant acceleration in AI/ML adoption for clinical trials. Over half of professionals (53%) in functions like clinical operations, data management, and biometrics now see these technologies as central to streamlining trials by 2024, surpassing the emphasis on automation that dominated last year. Despite this hype cycle, a core…
BIOiSIM assigns ‘credit scores’ to drug candidates
VeriSIM Life, a San Francisco-based startup, has created BIOiSIM, an AI-powered platform that simulates drug compound behavior in the human body by acting like a virtual laboratory. It assigns each a predictive “credit score” predicting its viability for drug development. “It’s like a FICO score for drug development,” founder and CEO Dr. Jo Varshney said.…