Pharma Experts Outline AI's Path to Faster Drug Development
Pharmaceutical researchers and industry leaders gathered at an international conference in Punjab this month to discuss how AI is changing drug discovery and healthcare innovation. The event, held at Aryans Group of Colleges near Chandigarh, brought together faculty, researchers, and students from multiple institutions to examine the practical applications of AI in pharma research.
Dr. Carlota Alonso Pardal, a consultant in business development and health education at the European Institute for Health Care Excellence, said AI is reshaping pharmaceutical innovation globally. She emphasized that stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industry will accelerate drug discovery and improve patient outcomes.
Regulatory Frameworks Need to Keep Pace
Regulatory rules have not kept up with AI development in pharma. Dr. Pardeep Kumar Mattu, former Joint Commissioner of the Punjab Drugs Administration, said regulatory frameworks must evolve alongside AI technologies to ensure pharmaceutical products remain safe, effective, and innovative.
This gap between technology advancement and regulatory clarity presents a challenge for companies looking to deploy AI tools in drug development pipelines.
AI Could Cut Development Time Significantly
AI-based research has the potential to reduce the time required to develop new drugs while improving accuracy in pharmaceutical studies. Dr. Sanyog Jain, Professor and Head at NIPER Mohali, said AI will enhance both the efficiency and precision of pharmaceutical research.
The applications extend beyond discovery. Dr. Gulshan Bansal, Professor and Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Punjabi University Patiala, identified AI's potential in drug formulation, pharmacovigilance, and personalized medicine-areas that could open new research directions.
Education Must Adapt to AI Tools
Pharmaceutical education programs need to incorporate AI and digital technologies to prepare students for future healthcare roles. Prof. Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Deputy Dean of Medical and Life Sciences at Sunway University in Malaysia, said schools across the world must integrate these tools into their curricula.
Dr. Suresh Kumar, Professor at Punjabi University Patiala and Secretary of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India's Punjab branch, said integrating AI into pharmaceutical sciences will change how research is conducted and improve the quality of education and innovation in the field.
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