WIB-RTP & AMWA: The Future of the Drug Market – Navigating AI, Innovation, and Regulation

Women In Bio RTP hosted an engaging discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development. The evening began with welcoming remarks from Stephanie Proesel and our event sponsor, Slalom, and also featured the opportunity to highlight the impactful mission of the Me Fine Foundation, which supports families facing serious childhood illness.

Moderated by Catie King, the panel featured Sharmila Bristol and Elizabeth Brunk, who explored how AI is accelerating innovation across the pharmaceutical industry while reinforcing the critical role of scientific expertise. Panelists discussed AI's greatest impact in the drug discovery phase, where it can identify complex patterns in large datasets, prioritize promising drug targets, and support more personalized approaches to treatment. They emphasized that high-quality data remains essential, as AI models are only as effective as the data used to train them.

The discussion also highlighted the growing need for professionals who combine deep scientific knowledge with AI literacy, stressing that success with AI depends not only on using the technology but also on asking the right questions and interpreting results responsibly. Additional topics included AI governance, secure data-sharing strategies, proprietary AI models within pharmaceutical organizations, and the legal and intellectual property challenges surrounding AI-assisted inventions. While AI has the potential to reduce development timelines and improve decision-making, panelists agreed that scientists remain central to the innovation process, providing the experimental validation and critical thinking that AI cannot replace.

Thank you to our speakers, moderator, Slalom for sponsoring the event, Stephanie Proesel for the welcoming remarks, and everyone who attended for making it an insightful evening of learning and discussion.

Submitted by Shannon Speer