AI becoming core infrastructure for pharmaceutical R&D, not just an experimental tool: Report
New Delhi, August 8
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a core part of pharmaceutical research and development, moving beyond its role as an experimental technology to help companies accelerate drug discovery, improve research productivity and make better scientific decisions, according to a report by AI platform Prezent Vivo.
The report said AI is transforming how biopharmaceutical companies identify promising drug targets, design new molecules and decide which drug candidates should move forward for preclinical research and clinical trials.
It added that AI is now influencing R&D investments, development timelines, talent strategies and decision-making across pharmaceutical organisations.
According to the report, "Artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation. Today, it is becoming a core capability for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies looking to accelerate research, optimize R&D investments, and improve decision-making throughout the drug discovery process."
The report noted that growing investments reflect rising confidence in AI adoption across the pharmaceutical industry.
Citing Grand View Research, it said the global AI in drug discovery market was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 13.8 billion by 2033, growing at a 24.8 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2026 and 2033.
It said pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are increasingly deploying AI platforms for target identification, lead optimisation and prioritising drug candidates.
The report said the increasing adoption of AI is being driven by practical business needs rather than technology hype. Biopharma companies are under pressure to shorten drug development timelines, improve R&D productivity and manage increasingly complex biological and clinical data.
The report mentioned that by analysing large volumes of molecular, genomic, proteomic and clinical information, AI helps researchers identify patterns that would otherwise take much longer to detect, allowing scientists to focus on the most promising drug candidates.
Rajat Mishra, Founder and CEO of Prezent, said AI adoption in highly regulated industries such as life sciences requires a measured approach.
"While particular companies--such as agile startups and disruptive tech companies--have higher adoption rates, leaping headfirst into AI won't work in highly regulated industries such as life sciences and biopharmaceuticals due to stricter compliance, privacy, and accountability requirements," Mishra said.
He added, "However, the impact potential in these massive markets makes the case for finding an approach that works."
The report further noted that organisations achieving the greatest success are those that integrate AI into scientific workflows with trusted data, strong governance and cross-functional collaboration, rather than treating AI as a standalone technology.
The report also mentioned that Prezent Vivo recently announced Articulate 2026: The Communication Revolution, a full-day executive summit for senior biopharma leaders, which will be held on October 1, 2026, at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.
According to the report, the event will bring together more than 150 senior executives to discuss how clear and purposeful communication can improve outcomes across the life sciences industry.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see how AI is being positioned in drug development. The potential is huge, but as an industry outsider, I wonder about the ethical and regulatory implications. Glad they're taking a measured approach in highly regulated sectors.
As a healthcare professional, I'm cautiously optimistic. AI can definitely speed up drug discovery, but we must not forget that clinical trials and human testing are irreplaceable. The report rightly mentions governance and trust—that's the real challenge ahead! 🙏
These numbers are staggering—24.8% CAGR. The market is clearly embracing this. India has a massive generics industry that could really benefit from AI integration, especially in reducing the cost and time of bringing new molecules to market.
This is great for the pharma industry, but what about the cost of these AI tools? Smaller companies in India might not be able to afford them. We need accessible solutions, otherwise this will just widen the gap between big pharma and small players.
The report says "practical business needs rather than technology hype"—that's the key takeaway. But I'm sceptical about the hype cycle. Let's wait and see how many of these AI-discovered drugs actually pass clinical trials. Promising though! ✨
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