From faster timelines to smarter clinical trials — How AI is revolutionizing drug discovery
The value lies in enhancing patient recruitment, optimizing study design, and enabling real-time adjustments (Issue #334, 1,300 words, 6.5 minutes)
Good morning, and welcome to the NPC Healthbiz Weekly e-newsletter from the National Pharmaceutical Congress and Chronicle Companies.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into drug discovery has reached unprecedented momentum in 2025, as more targeted therapeutic candidates are delivered more quickly.
According to the Financial Times, major pharmaceutical companies are rapidly forming high-stakes collaborations with AI-first enterprises. For example, AstraZeneca’s recent US$5.2 billion research agreement with CSPC Pharmaceuticals leverages CSPC’s AI-driven platform to co-develop oral treatments for immunological and chronic diseases, showcasing a trend toward cross-border, AI-fueled innovation. Another company leveraging AI is Novo Nordisk. Reuters reports that the company has entered a US$812 million licensing agreement with Deep Apple Therapeutics, capitalizing on their AI-based screening of virtual compound libraries.
When it comes to specific technologies, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute notes that generative AI is redefining molecular design by better predicting how compounds might work in the human body, reducing discovery timelines from years to weeks and helping reduce wasted time. This shift is exemplified by emerging multi-agent generative frameworks such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s X-LoRA-Gemma large language model, which performs dual‑pass inference to propose molecules with optimized properties. Generative AI is expected to slash pre-clinical costs by up to 40% compared to traditional methods.
A study published in Medical Sciences notes that quantum-classical hybrid models are also being used to solve complex optimization challenges in drug development. Model Medicines reports that combining quantum computing’s parallel processing capabilities with AI’s predictive power enables faster exploration of chemical space and the generation of particular, first-in-class molecules with high hit rates. For example, Model Medicines’ GALILEO platform exemplifies the power of generative AI, demonstrating a 100% hit rate in antiviral candidate screening using deep learning and ChemPrint, without relying on quantum computing.
G&L Scientific notes that AI is also revolutionizing clinical trials by enhancing patient recruitment, optimizing study design, and enabling real-time adjustments. The website states that algorithms analyzing electronic health records and genomic databases have improved patient recruitment rates by 20% and reduced trial timelines by six months. Furthermore, innovative trial designs utilizing AI-driven genetic algorithms have cut blood sampling requirements in pediatric studies by more than half, all while preserving the quality and integrity of the data.
THIS WEEK 06/17/25
Pierre Fabre Canada appointed Casey James Lawton (photo below) as its new General Manager. With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in dermatology, Casey brings expertise and a deep commitment to advancing patient care across Canada. Casey joins Pierre Fabre Canada following a lengthy career at Galderma Canada, where he most recently served as Business Unit Head for Dermatological Skincare. Earlier in his career, Casey established a strong foundation in sales, marketing, and continuing education for health professionals.
Health Canada authorized Roche Canada’s crovalimab for injection (PiaSky) as a monthly subcutaneous therapy indicated for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in patients 13 years of age and older with a body weight of at least 40 kg.
Health Canada approved Daiichi Sankyo’s quizartinib (Vanflyta) for use in combination with standard cytarabine and anthracycline induction and standard cytarabine consolidation chemotherapy, in the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia that is FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-internal tandem duplication-positive.
ChangeMakers launched its new specialized PR and marketing service, ChangeMakers Health, on Thursday, June 12, at its new office in Toronto. The service supports clients in the life sciences, self-care, and health advocacy sectors. The event featured findings from the inaugural ChangeMakers Health Advisory Panel survey, developed in partnership with Leger, and included a panel discussion on how health misinformation affects clinical decision-making.
NOW, LISTEN UP: HERE’S BETTINA HAMELIN OF INNOVATIVE MEDICINES CANADA
In Season 14 of the NPC Podcast, Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President of Innovative Medicines Canada, offers insights into adopting innovative technologies, the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain, and the exclusion of medicines as retaliatory measures for tariffs. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. You can listen to the podcast here.
Dr. Shafiq Qaadri
Family Physician, Medical Lecturer & Writer
Toronto
Season 01, episode 02
Listen to this episode here
Is there anything that the pharmaceutical industry can do to help physicians connect more effectively with their patients? (This episode was recorded in July 2020)
I’ve suggested to colleagues, managers, territory managers, and brand managers that it would be fantastic if pharma could, with the appropriate consent, start sending email blasts directly to patients from physicians. We could have patients sign up, and these emails shouldn’t come from the pharmaceutical company itself, but rather from someone like me. I’d be happy to oversee and curate the content occasionally. We could pick a disease—Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity (which is often part of the broader cardio-metabolic syndrome)—and share the latest updates, offer encouragement, suggest getting a FitBit, or provide dietary tips, noting that food availability changes seasonally. I think this would be a fantastic opportunity. Other industries do it all the time—just look at how Bed, Bath & Beyond, BMO, Uber, and others constantly reach out to their clients.
NEXT WEEK
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