AI's Role in Amplifying European Biopharma's Edge
Published Date: 30/07/2024
Europe can become a global leader in biopharma and healthcare by embracing AI technologies and fostering innovation
As the European Union sets its priorities for the next five years, it's time to make innovation in health and biopharmaceuticals a strategic priority for the region's resilience and security. Europe is facing a competitiveness crisis, with productivity declining 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023, while the US saw a 2.6% rise.
To turn the tide, Europe can build on biopharmaceuticals as one of its critical technology sectors. Twenty-five years ago, one in two medicines was invented or discovered in European laboratories. Today, it's one in six. By embracing AI, the EU can position itself as a global leader in healthcare, ensuring access to the latest medical advancements for generations to come.
AI can accelerate drug discovery, improve access to healthcare services, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of patient care. European biopharma companies and startups can use AI to accelerate the development of innovative treatments for patients. Generative AI can speed up clinical trial processes, and AI is already enabling teams at Sanofi to scale and accelerate research from weeks to hours.
To match the strong efforts in the US and China, European pharma and biotechs need to adopt AI technology, which will give the EU an edge in accelerating certain stages of R&D, particularly the early discovery and preclinical phases.
Developing ethical AI systems aligned with EU values is crucial. The EU AI Act aims to create a harmonized framework for safe and responsible AI development and deployment across the union. Trustworthy AI technologies are already being used by medical professionals in the EU to analyze patients' complex health data more precisely.
Embracing responsible data sharing is also essential. A coordinated effort to share data at the EU level in a protected health cloud would allow researchers to make breakthroughs and train algorithms on vastly larger data sets. France has led the way in developing approaches that improve access and use of health data while protecting patient confidentiality.
Building AI literacy is critical. The EU should back educational reform across the region that prioritizes data science and artificial intelligence. Digital literacy and skills are essential for health professionals to strengthen the health system. Developing AI literacy among healthcare professionals and the public through education initiatives can increase trust and adoption of AI-powered healthcare solutions across the EU.
It's time for Europe to pave the way for science and AI-based leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry. The EU must create an environment that encourages research, development, and manufacturing of innovative healthcare solutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across borders.
FAQS:
Q: How can AI improve healthcare in Europe?
A: AI can improve access to healthcare services, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of patient care.
Q: What is the EU AI Act?
A: The EU AI Act aims to create a harmonized framework for safe and responsible AI development and deployment across the union.
Q: How can AI accelerate drug discovery?
A: Generative AI can speed up clinical trial processes, and AI is already enabling teams to scale and accelerate research from weeks to hours.
Q: Why is data sharing important in healthcare?
A: A coordinated effort to share data at the EU level in a protected health cloud would allow researchers to make breakthroughs and train algorithms on vastly larger data sets.
Q: What is AI literacy and why is it important?
A: AI literacy refers to the understanding and ability to work with AI technologies. It is essential for health professionals to strengthen the health system and increase trust and adoption of AI-powered healthcare solutions across the EU.