Indian pharma may take AI pill to cut costs

In a significant shift towards innovation, Indian pharmaceutical giants like Sun Pharma and Glenmark are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance drug development processes. As the demand for innovative drugs rises, these companies are focusing on integrating AI to reduce both development time and costs. Dilip Shanghvi, executive chairman of Sun Pharma, emphasized the importance of leveraging AI expertise to accelerate research and streamline the drug development cycle. Glenmark's chairman, Glenn Saldanha, noted that AI's immediate applications will primarily benefit small molecule drug discovery, while also playing a crucial role in broader research activities such as clinical trials and drug design. The global pharmaceutical industry has already witnessed a substantial investment in AI, with funding projected to grow from $6.93 billion last year to $16.5 billion by 2034, highlighting the technology's potential to transform drug discovery. This trend is further underscored by Glenmark's recent $1.9 billion licensing deal for a blood cancer treatment, showcasing the feasible returns on innovative research. Both companies see AI as a critical factor in enhancing their competitive edge in an evolving market, with substantial opportunities to optimize clinical trial timelines and regulatory submissions.