AI's Mixed Impact on Pharma: Accelerating Drug Development While Facing Clinical Trial Realities
Apr 01, 2026
AI could compress drug development from 10-15 years to as little as six years, accelerating discovery and reducing late-stage trial failures. However, clinical trial execution remains heavily dependent on human oversight, with AI estimated to cut costs only 10-15% while facing regulatory and liability constraints. Major pharma companies like Gilead are investing in AI research centers despite practical limitations in trial implementation.