AI drug discovery startups are moving beyond software, building their own drug pipelines to attract investors and boost revenue. But as Luka Jelcic notes, blending fast-moving AI with slow-burn biotech isn’t simple. Investors now favor companies with tangible assets over vague platform promises.
Fireside Chat: AI & Drug Development – Challenges, Disruption & the Future.
Inspired by Luka’s co-authored white paper, “Inflection Points of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Development,” this conversation dives deep into trends, challenges, & breakthroughs shaping the future of AI in biopharma.
Elaine also plays key roles at Otologic Pharmaceutics, Cadenza Bio, and CLAIRIgene-advancing treatments from hearing loss to MS and neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond startups, she mentors future leaders at Tulane and pushes for ethical, impactful AI in healthcare! #InternationalWomensMonth (2 of 2)
Wrapping up the #InternationalWomensMonth spotlight with a powerhouse in healthcare innovation: Dr. Elaine Hamm, Executive Director of AAIH. As CEO of Ascend BioVentures, Dr. Hamm champions early-stage life science startups and breakthrough tech. (1 of 2)
Beyond her work at Envisagenics, Maria helps lead the AAIH, tackles data access issues, fosters industry collaboration, & mentors future AI scientists through community initiatives like Life Science Cares NY. (3 of 3) #InternationalWomensMonth
Maria is especially excited about AI’s potential in biomarker development and clinical trials. Her team has built proprietary AI algorithms powering a unique RNA drug target database, already yielding successful preclinical results. (2 of 3) #InternationalWomensMonth
In honor of #InternationalWomensMonth, AAIH celebrated Dr. Maria Luisa Pineda, co-founder of Envisagenics & pioneer in AI-driven healthcare innovation. Envisagenics uses AI to detect RNA splicing errors linked to diseases like cancer & ALS, speeding up drug discovery via SpliceCore® platform(1 of 3)
Another amazing woman we celebrated for #InternationalWomensMonth: DeAnn Smith of Foley Hoag LLP! DeAnn leads IP strategy for OCMS Bio, a biotech innovator using AI and on-cell tech to accelerate antibody discovery. Her work protects complex, next-gen methods that outperform traditional approaches.
Celebrating women in AI during #InternationalWomensMonth last month, the AAIH was proud to feature Barbara Fiacco, Co-Chair of IP Litigation at Foley Hoag, who recently spoke at the 10th Annual Naples Roundtable on AI’s growing role in patent law—from claim construction to generative AI in court.
Helen also leads the go-to-market strategy & oversees finance/operations at Altis Labs. She believes AI will revolutionize clinical research in the next 5-10 years, making trials faster, smaller, & more successful - helping patients access better treatments sooner. 2 of 2. #InternationalWomensMonth
Another incredible woman featured for #InternationalWomensMonth was Helen Zhang from Altis Labs! Helen is innovating oncology trials with AI models that predict long-term drug efficacy using 200M+ images, enabling faster, smarter clinical trials. 1 of 2.
Megan’s story drew a key theme: women belong at the table where industry-shaping decisions are made. The event offered a platform for women at all career stages to engage in meaningful discussions, build connections, & explore leadership & governance opportunities. #InternationalWomensMonth (3 of 3)
Megan Nacar, AAIH member & DeciBio VP of Commercial, discussed her appointment as a Board Advisor for Helio Genomics, a company leveraging AI & next-generation sequencing to enhance early cancer detection, particularly for hepatocellular carcinoma - a prevalent & deadly form of liver cancer.(2 of 3)
The AAIH is proud to highlight DeciBio's #InternationalWomensDay event, hosted in partnership with Myriad Genetics. This gathering brought together over 100 women from across the life sciences and biotech industries for an evening dedicated to advancing women into decision-making roles. (1 of 3)
Michelle is excited by AI’s power to transform drug discovery & development. At Insilico, AI has boosted efficiency, reduced costs, & shortened timelines. She looks forward to AI-driven clinical advancements delivering medicine faster & more precisely to patients. #InternationalWomensMonth (3 of 3)
Michelle, as the Chief Business Officer at Insilico Medicine, oversees business strategies, revenue growth, and external partnerships. Insilico is a leader in AI-driven drug discovery, being among the first to use Generative AI for small molecule design. #InternationalWomensMonth (2 of 3)
In honor of #InternationalWomensMonth, the AAIH is excited to spotlight the remarkable women who are making significant contributions to the field of AI every day! Today the AAIH is proud to feature Michelle Chen from Insilico Medicine! (1 of 3)
#StudentSpotlight As a med student, Abraham Obianke witnessed challenges of early atrial fibrillation detection & the global impact of heart disease. His research on wearable devices like smart chest patches & smartwatches aims to improve early detection, manage heart health, & reduce heart disease.
#StudentSpotlight featuring Abraham Obianke, a 4th-year medical student from Ambrose Alli University and member of the AAIH! His research on "Diagnostic accuracy of ECG smart chest patches vs PPG smartwatches for atrial fibrillation detection" was published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders!
The Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) is excited to attend #BIOEuropeSpring in Milan, March 17–19, 2025! Join us to propel the next wave of biotech innovation!
If you are attending, let us know! We would love to meet you!
PART 3: AI-driven solutions are improving patient care and efficiency, with companies like Suki and SandboxAQ scaling AI tools. Investments in mental health, such as Cedars-Sinai’s support for Amae Health, highlight AI’s potential in underserved areas. #IndustryInsights #DeciBio
PART 2: DeciBio highlighted key trends signaling AI's growing influence in healthcare by 2025, including: Diagnostics. AI is advancing diagnostic tools, with Siemens Healthineers launching AI-powered imaging and Philips collaborating with icometrix to enhance neurological care. #IndustryInsights
DeciBio noted specific trends that signal AI’s growing influence across the healthcare landscape as we look ahead to 2025, including: Drug Discovery, with partnerships like those between BioAge Labs and Novartis are using AI to target aging-related diseases, driving innovation. #IndustryInsights
Genialis has partnered with Tempus to leverage their multimodal dataset, advancing the validation of Genialis™ Supermodel and driving the development of new RNA-based algorithms across various cancer types. #IndustryInsights
In 2025, life sciences will thrive with AI-powered, data-driven solutions that integrate omics, clinical data, and real-world evidence. This will boost personalized care, support decision-making, and enhance patient outcomes from diagnosis to treatment. - Emily Lewis, UCB #IndustryInsights
We are excited to announce a new initiative that will showcase thought leadership, insights, & predictions of AAIH members in the field of AI in healthcare. Our 2025 #IndustryInsights will bring together the latest trends, developments, & expert opinions shaping the future of AI in healthcare.
