AstraZeneca and Oracle plan to use artificial intelligence and real patient health data to find volunteers for drug trials faster, the two companies announced. The partnership adds to a long list of AI health deals between drugmakers and technology companies.
The companies signed a non-binding term sheet, which means the terms are not yet final. Neither firm said or confirmed how much money is involved.
Each side brings different assets to the table. AstraZeneca contributes its expertise in drug science, clinical trials and regulatory matters. Oracle's health unit supplies cloud servers, AI tools and patient data from hospitals, with names removed.
How will AI help find volunteers for drug trials?
Recruitment is one of the slowest steps in developing a new medicine. When trials enroll people slowly, they run longer and cost more. The companies want to help doctors identify people who could join a study sooner. They also plan to use the data to detect diseases early and to monitor drug safety.
Where will the first AstraZeneca and Oracle program run?
The first program will take place in Abu Dhabi with M42, a healthcare company based in the United Arab Emirates. Doctors there will look for patients whose high blood pressure is not under control. Those patients will then be treated in line with clinical guidelines and invited to join trials, AstraZeneca said.
Later projects are planned in the United States, the Middle East and Europe. They will cover cancer, heart and kidney disease, lung and immune conditions, and rare diseases.
“This unique collaboration brings leaders in healthcare and AI together at a global scale,” said Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive.
Will patient identities be protected in the AstraZeneca and Oracle project?
AstraZeneca said it will not be able to see who the patients are. Each project will proceed only after legal, privacy and ethics checks are complete.
AstraZeneca already works with other AI companies, including Insitro, to find new drug targets for liver and heart disease. Investors have also put large sums into AI drug discovery startups this year.
Este artigo foi escrito com a assistência de IA.
News Factory APP - notícias agênticas para impulsionar seu SEO e AEO.