Indian pharmaceutical companies are investing in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, help patients and strengthen their position in the global market, industry insiders said.
Machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), the concept of connecting devices to the Internet, automation, and predictive maintenance systems are technologies that are attracting investments.
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Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) is incorporating digital therapeutics (direct-to-patient interventions through evidence-based, clinically-validated disease management software) into its business model, and has announced that its drug-free migraine management device, Nelibio, will be sold in Europe and South Africa.
Nerivio, launched for the first time in India, is controlled by a smartphone app and worn on the upper arm for 45 minutes to prevent a migraine attack or when an attack begins, triggering a brain response that relieves migraine pain without the use of drugs.
The company has introduced DailyBloom IBS, which it claims to be India's first 'digital integrated care plan' for managing irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract.
“Our digital strategy is aligned with the organisational objectives of productivity, market leadership and patient-centric innovation. We are also exploring the potential of Generative AI (GenAI) to disrupt critical processes in areas such as quality control, regulatory affairs and marketing,” said Phani Mitra B, Chief Digital and Information Officer, DRL.
“AI and data can help reduce human error and bring greater efficiency to quality assurance, training and documentation processes,” said Shrikant Akolkar, vice president, research at Nuvama Institutional Equities.
Mankind Pharma's technology initiatives include ADAPT, an integrated digital platform for supply chain planning using AI/ML, PACE, an end-to-end digital procurement transformation system and Wave, a warehousing and distribution program. “We are investing heavily in AI, ML, IoT solutions, predictive maintenance systems, automation and modern manufacturing facilities. One notable investment is setting up India's first fully integrated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Udaipur,” said Arjun Juneja, Chief Operating Officer, Mankind.
“AI/ML holds huge potential for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, but it will likely take a decade for its full impact to be realized,” said Nirali Shah, pharmaceutical analyst at Ashika Group.
DRL, Cipla, Lupin and Syngene are some of the leading Indian pharmaceutical companies leading the adoption of AI/ML tools. “Despite this promising trend, to make the most of these technologies, significant blind spots in data integrity, misuse, privacy and regulatory challenges need to be carefully navigated. While the potential is great, real implementation and impact may take time,” said Shah.
Lupin Managing Director Nilesh Gupta said in an investor call to announce fourth-quarter earnings that the company's digital tools are “providing significant benefits” to patients and doctors. The company's subsidiary, Lupin Digital Health, last year launched Life, India's first evidence-based digital cardiology treatment platform.
Last year saw several international pharmaceutical deals to use AI in drug research: French drugmaker Sanofi and Biomap inked a deal of up to $1 billion in October to jointly develop AI modules; AstraZeneca subsidiary Alexion signed an $840 million deal with Verge Genomics to use AI in drug discovery for rare diseases; and vaccine maker Merck and Benevolent AI inked a $594 million deal.
