At the intersection of patient care and AI/machine learning in medicine
Dr. Jaggi Rao, dermatologist and professor at the University of Alberta, discusses how AI can improve patient care (800 words, 4 minutes)
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During the 2023 National Pharma Congress Winter Webinar on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the speakers discussed the world of AI and its many applications in the life sciences. During the past three weeks, NPC Healthbiz Weekly summarized each presentation by the panel of experts. Here is the final installment of that webinar.
During his 2023 NPC Winter Webinar presentation, Dr. Jaggi Rao talked about the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in medical dermatology and how these technologies can improve patient care. Using electron microscopes and algorithms that can quickly analyze scale samples or punch biopsies to detect conditions and differences in the surrounding skin, diagnosis can be accelerated by AI and ML. He added that algorithms could detect specific skin lesion features to identify patterns that may not be immediately apparent to the human eye.
Dr. Rao [pictured below] said that AI could also assist in predicting disease progression and recommending treatment options. For example, he said that AI could analyze a patient with acne and suggest a treatment course. At the same time, AI and ML algorithms can help dermatologists make more accurate and personalized treatment decisions.
Dr. Rao added that AI and ML in dermatology complement traditional medical practices rather than replace them. He said that while AI may suggest a particular protocol, physicians will ultimately decide what works best for each patient considering allergies, sensitivities and preferences.
Dr. Rao noted that AI and ML can help identify new skin lesions. He said that it is sometimes difficult for a clinician to identify new lesions in the case of moles and freckles. However, AI can help characterize images, note which ones have appeared since the last visit, and analyze them to determine whether or not they are malignant. Dr. Rao said AI could help healthcare professionals in wound care and aesthetic dermatology by recommending the most effective treatments.
Dr. Rao reported that AI and ML show significant potential in surgical dermatology. He said that sometimes cancerous lesions are significant, and it is difficult to identify the malignancy. Still, AI can help surgeons determine the cancerous areas so that no healthy skin is removed during surgery. In addition, he said AI and ML can help monitor patient improvement in a quick and precise way.
He added that AI is also important in clinical trials and research.
THIS WEEK 05/16/23
Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance for Sanofi Canada’s dupilumab injection (Dupixent) to treat patients with eosinophilic esophagitis 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg.
AbbVie announced Health Canada approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq), a once-daily selective and reversible JAK inhibitor, for adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation.
The U.S. FDA approved Astellas Pharma’s fezolinetant (Veozah) for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause.
Chiesi Global Rare Diseases announced that the U.S. FDA has approved pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj (Elfabrio) for treating Fabry disease in adult patients.
LISTEN NOW
In season nine of the NPC Podcast, Anastasia Lit, Co-founder of TechPharus, talks about using AI to enhance medical care and research, the rapid development of software and AI technologies, and how AI is transforming the labour market. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This new feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. In Healthbiz Rewind, you’ll read bold life sci predictions made during the renowned “Prognostication Korner” segment of the NPC Podcast.
Tamer Yacoub Hanna
AbbVie
Multi-Channel Engagement Manager
Montreal
Season 9, episode 05
Listen to this episode here
What bold predictions will you make about the life sciences industry during the coming 12 to 24 months?
The next year or two will be tough.
Cost is one of the key challenges. The government is putting a stall on a lot of the innovation that is coming. I believe the last stats I’ve seen is that Canada only approves about 28 percent of the new innovative medicine being launched worldwide, while the U.S. approves 85 percent. I’m not saying we should be at 85 percent, but we face a lot of scrutiny in the life science industry, specifically in pharma.
What I see is pay for outcomes. If we want to be successful as an industry and ethical, we need to start talking to the government and pay for outcomes rather than pay for treatment. And that applies to healthcare professionals as well as the pharmaceutical product. At the end of the day, I think that is only fair for everybody.
NEXT WEEK
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