AI set to revolutionise pharmaceutical R&D says GlobalData

Survey finds AI to enhance productivity and cut costs in the next 12 months

AI is poised to significantly lower pharmaceutical R&D costs through efficient drug discovery, optimised clinical trials, and predictive data analysis, according to a GlobalData survey.

The leading data and analytics company’s report, “The State of the Biopharmaceutical Industry – 2025,” highlights AI’s potential to boost productivity and cut costs in the coming year.

Urte Jakimaviciute, Senior Director of Market Research and Strategic Intelligence in the healthcare division at GlobalData, emphasised the importance of improving R&D productivity.

“Enhancing productivity in pharmaceutical R&D is fundamental as it accelerates the development of new drugs, enabling companies to innovate more effectively, respond to emerging medical needs, and maintain a competitive edge,” she stated.

The report indicates that industry professionals identified lead generation and optimisation in drug discovery as the areas where AI has been most effectively integrated so far. Target identification follows as another crucial R&D process benefiting from AI.

Jakimaviciute added, “Improving productivity aligns with the broader trend of AI adoption across industries, which is also pushing pharmaceutical companies to integrate advanced technologies to remain competitive and keep up with digitalisation trends.”

While AI’s role in drug discovery is still evolving, increasing numbers of AI-discovered drugs are expected to enter markets in the future.

“This will be driven by the ongoing need to enhance efficiency and speed in the process, cost-effectiveness factors, and continuous advancements in AI itself,” Jakimaviciute concluded.

The pharmaceutical industry professionals surveyed by GlobalData believe AI will play a crucial role in streamlining drug development processes and minimising costly failures through data-driven predictions and effectiveness assessments.