Big Techs and startups in pharmaceutical R&D - A 2020 perspective on artificial intelligence

Drug Discov Today. 2021 Oct;26(10):2226-2231. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.04.028. Epub 2021 May 7.

Abstract

We investigated what kind of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are utilized in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) and which sources of AI-related competencies can be leveraged by pharmaceutical companies. First, we found that machine learning (ML) is the dominating AI technology currently used in pharmaceutical R&D. Second, both Big Techs and AI startups are competent knowledge bases for AI applications. Big Techs have long-lasting experience in the digital field and offer more general IT solutions to support pharmaceutical companies in cloud computing, health monitoring, diagnostics or clinical trial management, whereas startups can provide more specific AI services to address special issues in the drug-discovery space.

Keywords: AI; Artificial intelligence; Big tech; Deep learning; Machine learning; Pharma; Startup; research and development (R&D).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence / trends*
  • Drug Development / trends*
  • Drug Discovery / trends
  • Drug Industry / trends*
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning / trends
  • Research / trends
  • Technology / trends