The Future of AI in pharma: Beyond the buzz to real-world impact
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to gain momentum in the pharmaceutical sector, but can it truly deliver the full-spectrum intelligence needed to improve clinical research outcomes, speed up insights, enhance patient safety, and ensure regulatory compliance?
As excitement builds, the industry is now asking tougher questions: Where can AI make the most meaningful impact—and what should come next?
According to Patrick Hughes, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of CluePoints, the transformation is already underway.
“AI is playing a critical role in driving quality management and compliance in clinical trials,” he says.
Patrick Hughes
“Innovative platforms using Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) now integrate AI and machine learning with sophisticated statistical algorithms—not just to detect potential issues, but to understand their root causes and suggest actionable solutions.”
CluePoints is among the leaders expanding AI’s role beyond risk detection.
Hughes points to several applications revolutionising traditional processes.
One such tool, an AI/ML-powered medical coding module, streamlines the classification of medical terms—eliminating the need for manual review and outdated synonym libraries.
“Researchers are now guided to the right term within seconds, with accuracy rates up to 99 per cent,” Hughes explains.
Another breakthrough is Intelligent Query Detection (IQD), which automates and refines query management in electronic data capture (EDC) workflows.
“By filtering out low-value queries and highlighting those that need attention, IQD reduces workload and empowers data managers to focus on real issues.”
Looking ahead, Hughes envisions a future where AI supports more advanced tasks like interpreting protocol documents using Large Language Models (LLMs), enabling automated risk assessments and helping teams pre-empt deviations before trials even begin.
But he also issues a note of caution: “We must avoid turning ‘AI’ into a catch-all term for anything that sounds smart.
“The human element remains essential. AI should enhance—not replace—critical thinking and decision-making.”
At its best, AI has the potential to transform not just the tools we use, but the very nature of how clinical trials are conducted.
The goal? Turning artificial intelligence into real human insight.
