Danish drugmaker Novo
Nordisk, which has fallen behind Eli Lilly in
the immensely lucrative weight-loss drug market, said on Tuesday
it is partnering with OpenAI to deploy artificial intelligence
across its business, from drug discovery to manufacturing and
commercial operations.
The maker of Wegovy and Ozempic said the partnership would
use OpenAI’s technology to analyse complex datasets, identify
promising drug candidates and improve efficiency in
manufacturing, supply chains, distribution and corporate
operations.
Drugmakers are increasingly using AI to streamline the more
tedious parts of drug development, from finding clinical trial
participants and selecting sites to preparing regulatory
filings, though industry executives say the technology has not
yet fully delivered on the harder task of discovering major new
molecules.
Novo is seeking new ways to regain ground in an intensifying
obesity-drug battle with Indianapolis-based Lilly, which this
month won U.S. approval for its weight-loss pill Foundayo after
Novo launched oral Wegovy in January. Analysts expect annual
revenue from weight-loss drugs to exceed $100 billion in the
next decade.
Novo did not disclose financial terms of the agreement. It
said pilot programmes would begin across research and
development, manufacturing and commercial operations, with full
integration planned by the end of 2026.
Novo said OpenAI will also help train its global workforce,
increasing AI literacy and boosting productivity across
departments.
TRAINING, NOT REPLACING
“The aim here is not replacing our scientists. It’s about
supercharging them,” CEO Mike Doustdar said in an interview.
Doustdar said the partnership was not intended to cut Novo’s
current workforce, but to lift productivity and curb the pace of
future hiring.
He said AI would help employees work faster and more
effectively, reducing the need to grow headcount as much as in
the past. Shortly after taking over as CEO last year, Doustdar
announced a restructuring that cut 9,000 jobs.
“AI is reshaping industries and in life sciences, it can
help people live better, longer lives,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
said in a statement. “This collaboration with Novo Nordisk will
help them accelerate scientific discovery, run smarter global
operations, and redefine the future of patient care.”
Novo said the partnership included strict data protection,
governance and human oversight, and built on its existing AI
initiatives with other technology partners and research
organisations.