The use of AI in drug discovery and clinical research has reached Ireland through a strategic partnership. Last week, Novartis Ireland officially marked its collaboration agreement with Deciphex, a leading Dublin-based digital pathology company, at a high-profile roundtable event focused on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The gathering brought together experts from both the pharmaceutical and technology sectors to explore how AI can revolutionize the way diseases are diagnosed and treated, particularly in pathology.
AI in Healthcare: How Drug Discovery is Shaping the Future of Medicine
The AI in drug discovery market is projected to expand significantly, growing from USD 850 million in 2023 to USD 4,500 million by 2030, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.5%. This rapidly evolving market is highly competitive, with key players such as BenevolentAI, BioXcel Therapeutics, Deep Genomics, Exscientia, Google, Insilico Medicine, IQVIA, Labcorp, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Recursion leading the charge in shaping the future of drug discovery through AI-driven innovation.
The latest Novartis-Deciphex collaboration, known for its cutting-edge digital pathology solutions, aims to leverage AI to enhance the precision and efficiency of disease detection, thereby improving patient outcomes. Deciphex’s proprietary digital pathology platform uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze medical images, a critical aspect of diagnosing diseases like cancer and other serious conditions.
Recently, Dr Bülent Kızıltan, Global Head of AI & Computational Sciences of Novartis, highlighted the culture of AI-centric collaboration in drug discovery. At Novartis, AI in drug discovery and development is more than just a buzzword – it’s a key element that drives innovation. Currently, the company’s operational framework is intentionally designed to foster cross-disciplinary teamwork, bringing together scientists, technology experts, and industry leaders to leverage AI in developing the next generation of therapies.
As Novartis continues to push the boundaries of AI in drug discovery, its focus on collaboration remains a cornerstone of its success, enabling the company to tackle complex healthcare challenges and transform the future of medicine.
How Ireland can be the Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Europe
Novartis and Deciphex marked the agreement at a panel discussion titled ‘How Ireland can be the Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Europe’. Taking place at Novartis Ireland and officiated by Minister of State for Digital Dara Calleary TD, the event featured contributions from Patricia Scanlon, Ireland’s AI Ambassador, Novartis and Deciphex leadership, and representatives from IDA Ireland, and patient-led platform, IPPOSI.
The roundtable which featured leading professionals in both AI and healthcare, provided an opportunity to delve into the exciting developments at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical diagnostics. Experts discussed the current state of AI applications in healthcare, the potential for further innovation, and the ways in which such technologies could be integrated into clinical workflows to drive better results for patients.
This emphasis on collaboration has positioned Novartis as a pioneer in integrating AI into drug discovery, a process that traditionally involves extensive trial and error. By harnessing the power of AI, Novartis aims to accelerate the identification of promising drug candidates, predict patient responses, and personalize treatment options more effectively than ever before. Together with Deciphex, the company is creating an environment where collaboration drives meaningful AI-driven change. This culture has not only positioned Novartis at the forefront of AI in healthcare, but it also makes the organization a highly dynamic and rewarding place to work. Employees find inspiration in the shared commitment to using cutting-edge technologies to make a real-world impact on patient care.
Speaking at the event, representatives from both companies emphasized the importance of this partnership in accelerating the adoption of AI in pathology. For Deciphex, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to expand its influence in the global and Irish healthcare ecosystem.
Ireland’s Big Push into AI in Healthcare
The event also underscored the growing role of AI in healthcare, with participants highlighting the potential for these technologies to streamline diagnostic processes, reduce human error, and enable more personalized treatments for patients. As AI tools continue to evolve, many in the industry believe that they will play a pivotal role in reshaping medical practices and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery worldwide.
Both Novartis and Deciphex are committed to driving innovation and advancing the use of AI in healthcare. As the partnership moves forward, it is expected that the collaboration will bring significant advancements in pathology, helping to pave the way for a more efficient, accurate, and patient-centered future in medical diagnostics.
The roundtable marked not only the beginning of a promising partnership but also a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of AI’s role in modern healthcare.
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Minister of State for Digital Dara Calleary TD said: “I am delighted to officiate at today’s panel discussion. Ireland’s AI sector is flourishing, with a partnership approach between State bodies, enterprise and the public key to delivering transformative societal benefits in the coming years. The Novartis-Deciphex collaboration is a great example of how this approach works in practice, with an indigenous medtech collaborating with a global leader in pharma to harness cutting-edge technology and deliver better outcomes for patients.”
Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said, “Artificial Intelligence is a cornerstone of Ireland’s strategy to drive innovation and fuel economic growth. By fostering a robust AI ecosystem, we are not only attracting leading global tech companies but also empowering local enterprises to compete on the world stage. The integration of AI across various sectors is pivotal in enhancing productivity, creating high-value jobs, and ensuring Ireland remains at the forefront of technological advancements.”
Dr. Donal O’Shea, CEO of Deciphex said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Novartis in leveraging AI technology to drive innovation in preclinical research. This partnership underscores our commitment to advancing healthcare through the development of cutting-edge solutions that address critical challenges in drug development lifecycles. Novartis is committed to innovating AI-based approaches with the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development and bring life-changing medicines to patients faster.”
Caitriona Walsh, Country President, Novartis Ireland said: “I’m excited that Novartis has entered into a collaboration agreement with Deciphex to develop Artificial Intelligence-based approaches aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of preclinical studies. We believe AI has transformative potential to accelerate the painstaking work of drug discovery and development. I look forward to seeing how our collaborative efforts can help us improve and streamline existing processes to deliver impactful medicines to patients more quickly.”
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