Artificial intelligence continues to move from experimentation to execution across the life sciences industry. On a recent episode of the AI in Business podcast, Matthew Peruhakal, Global Head of Data Architecture, Utilization, and AI Engineering at Sanofi, offered a deep look at how the pharmaceutical giant is integrating AI to transform clinical trials. From intelligent data workflows to proactive risk detection and regulatory alignment, Peruhakal described an organization reshaping its research and development operations around a new digital core. 

His message was clear: AI cannot remain a side project. To make a meaningful impact, it must be embedded as a strategic capability that connects people, systems, and data across the enterprise.

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Artificial intelligence is shifting from promise to practice in biopharma, and few domains feel the impact more than clinical development. In a recent conversation on the AI in Business podcast, Zhong Lu, director of data science and AI at Novartis, outlined how AI is evolving the clinical trials process end to end. His perspective centered on building internal platforms that unite structured and unstructured data, deploying document intelligence to remove process friction, and using responsible generative AI to support scientific decision making without compromising compliance. While the regulatory bar remains high and patient trust is paramount, Novartis’s approach shows how targeted applications of AI can streamline data operations, strengthen regulatory readiness, and make both traditional and decentralized trials faster and more resilient.

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Explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming every facet of clinical trials, from initial protocol design and patient recruitment to data management and regulatory approval. This comprehensive guide provides an authoritative, in-depth look at AI's role in accelerating drug development and improving patient outcomes, with special focus on emerging agentic AI technologies.

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