AstraZeneca Bets Big on AI to Revolutionize Cancer Care

AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical giant, is making significant strides in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the entire spectrum of cancer care. The company has invested over $1 billion in AI partnerships, aiming to transform everything from drug discovery to early cancer detection.

AI-Driven Drug Development and Clinical Trials

AstraZeneca's head of U.S. oncology, Arun Krishna, outlined three key stages where AI is making an impact. In drug discovery, AI has dramatically reduced the time needed to identify potentially useful molecules from months or years to just 30 days or less.

For clinical trials, AstraZeneca is exploring AI's potential to flag eligible patients more effectively. Krishna explained, "Can we use predictive AI that we have to flag patients who might be eligible?" The company believes AI could predict which patients might benefit most from new drug candidates, even before they develop specific symptoms or biomarkers.

Krishna forecasts that AI-based clinical trial patient enrollment could become an active part of the drug testing landscape "within 1-2 years," though regulatory discussions are ongoing.

Population Screening and Early Cancer Detection

Perhaps the most innovative application of AI in AstraZeneca's strategy is in population screening. The company is venturing into diagnostics, particularly in detecting cancerous pulmonary nodules that human radiologists might miss.

"Our goal is to look at the entirety of the patient pathway. AI is a critical component of that. That's population-based screening," Krishna stated. AstraZeneca is collaborating with the Greenbaum Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Cancer Hospitals to analyze up to 50,000 CT scans within 18 months.

Strategic Partnerships and Investments

To achieve its AI ambitions, AstraZeneca has forged numerous partnerships. In April, the company entered a three-way partnership with Tempus AI and Pathos, investing $200 million in data licensing to build a multimodal AI oncology model.

Other significant collaborations include:

• A deal with Absci, committing up to $247 million for AI development in oncology.
• A partnership with Verge Genomics, providing $42 million upfront with $840 million in potential milestone payments, focusing on neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases.
• Multiple collaborations with BenevolentAI and AI immuno-oncology firm Immunai.

Krishna emphasized the company's commitment to AI, stating, "We believe that AI is the future. It will really enable every aspect of that patient journey and ultimately serve our purpose of eliminating cancer. We want to play an integral role in that."