Bayer taps Al to improve drug development

PAIN—Multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Bayer and its subsidiaries AskBio and Viralgen are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help develop new medicines.

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

The companies said the technology is now part of their work in laboratories, day-to-day operations, and clinical trials.

Viralgen Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Vanhove said the company, based in San Sebastian, Spain, designed its facility to capture as much data as possible for digital applications and ultimately for AI.

“Generally we all talk about the idea to improve productivity, so that's definitely what we're doing,” he said, noting that many tasks involve documentation, quality reviews, and regulatory compliance.

Viralgen specializes in the production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, which are used to deliver genetic material in gene therapy.