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ARTICLE · 25 APRIL 2025

The Implications Of AI-Assisted Drug Development On Patent Challenges

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
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The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development has significant ramifications for the pharmaceutical industry, patent law, and potential patent challengers.

United StatesTechnology
Jonathan Turpin
Jonathan Turpin
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The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development has significant ramifications for the pharmaceutical industry, patent law, and potential patent challengers. As companies increasingly rely on AI to identify promising drug candidates and streamline development processes, understanding how this technology intersects with patent law is crucial for anyone who is looking to challenge effectively the patents that will inevitably result.

Revolutionizing Drug Development

An article from The Economist last year highlighted how AI tools are transforming the landscape of drug discovery. The potential to reduce the time and costs of preclinical drug development by 25-50% marks a significant leap forward. Noteworthy examples include BenevolentAI's use of AI to identify baricitinib as a potential COVID-19 treatment. Companies like Genentech and Insilico Medicine have publicized their efforts to employ AI in the drug identification and development space.

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