The pharmaceutical industry is at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, harnessing cutting-edge patents to revolutionize drug development and research processes. Despite a decline in patent applications, strategic deals and job opportunities highlight the industry’s commitment to leveraging AI for innovation and efficiency. The impact of AI extends beyond the pharmaceutical sector, influencing various industries. GlobalData’s artificial intelligence market report provides comprehensive analysis of the AI market. Buy the report here.

This article presents a quarterly round-up of the latest trends in the pharmaceutical industry regarding AI. It provides an overview of recent developments in AI-related deals, talent acquisition, and patent filings within the pharmaceutical industry.

Diverse applications of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical industry

Pharma companies are leveraging the latest patents in artificial intelligence technologies to innovate and improve their businesses. One such patent is for a Digital Animal Free Testing (DAFT) system, which uses AI to predict safety risks and efficacy measurements in test agents. Another patent focuses on identifying nanobodies that bind to secreted proteins, while others involve photobioreactor systems for cultivating seaweed and engineered bacterial cells for producing target biomolecules. These technologies showcase how AI is being used in various applications such as predictive modeling, automated microinjection, and optimizing biosynthetic pathways. By acquiring these patents, the acquirer will benefit from cutting-edge AI solutions that can enhance drug development processes, improve research efficiency, and drive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

The industry experienced a 39% decline in the number of AI-related patent applications in Q4 2023 compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, the number of AI-related patent applications in the pharmaceutical industry witnessed a drop of 14% compared with Q4 2022.

Strategic deal trends in artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical companies are not only focusing on innovation to enhance their patent portfolios but are also making strategic investments in AI. These investments aim to secure lucrative deals with partners and position themselves at the forefront of industry advancements. Some of the recent deals underscore the importance of AI in the pharmaceutical industry.

In Q4 2023, the number of AI-related deals in the pharmaceutical industry declined by 2% compared with Q4 2022. On a quarterly basis, there was 2% increase in the number of deals in Q4 2023 compared with the previous quarter.

Impact on hiring

In terms of new job posting, in Q4 2023, the pharmaceutical industry experienced a 60% drop compared with the previous quarter. On an annual basis, job postings also declined by 79%. Notably, life, physical, and social science occupations, with a share of 50%, emerged as the top AI-related job roles within the pharmaceutical industry in Q4 2023, with new job postings drop by 20% quarter-on-quarter. Management occupations came in second with a share of 25% in Q4 2023, with new job postings dropping by 60% over the previous quarter. The other prominent AI roles include computer and mathematical occupations with a 13% share in Q4 2023, and healthcare practitioners and technical occupations with a 13% share of new job postings.

Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, LFB USA, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, Emmes, and NorthStar Anesthesia PA are among the top companies leading in AI hiring within the pharmaceutical industry.

Countries driving adoption of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical industry

The US is the leading country in AI adoption within the pharmaceutical industry, boasting the highest number of AI-related patents, jobs, and deals. Meanwhile, China, the UK, South Korea and India also maintain significant positions in AI adoption within the pharmaceutical industry.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry through innovative patents and strategic investments, despite fluctuations in patent applications and job postings. With its potential to enhance drug development and research processes, AI adoption continues to drive forward the future of pharmaceutical innovation worldwide.

To further understand GlobalData's analysis on artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry, buy the report here.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData patent analytics tracks patent filings and grants across companies and themes. Proprietary databases on deals and job analytics are used to respectively monitor global deal activity and uncover insights from daily job postings to identify trends, company activities, and industry dynamics across different sectors globally.