In an exclusive interview, Aman Wasan, the CEO of ArisGlobal, considers the transformation of Life Sciences industry from a conservative user of technology to an AI trailblazer.
Given your extensive experience in both Life Sciences and software technology, how do you see the intersection of these fields shaping the future of healthcare?
I see it as critical to the future of healthcare.
The Life Sciences industry, along with healthcare more broadly, has entered one of the most exciting, and challenging, periods of its history and smart use of software is key to how it will delivering them efficiently and affordably is essential so that business models stay viable.
It’s why the industry is emerging as a trailblazer in using advanced technology. Targeted use of intelligent automation – harnessing AI/GenAI/Deep Learning – has immense potential to transform drug discovery and development. Up to now, pharma had a reputation for being behind the curve in its tech adoption. But now the industry is among the most directly innovative in its application of intelligent automation to transform key processes – particularly at the intersection of medical breakthrough development, regulatory approval and safety assurance. A recent global survey we conducted found that 60% of biopharma companies are looking to extend their use of advanced technologies over the next 18 months.
Could you share some insights into the ArisGlobal’s current initiatives and projects aimed at leveraging next-gen technology to improve patient outcomes and streamline processes within the life sciences industry?
We’ve been actively applying the latest AI and Machine Learning technology across the LifeSphere platform, along with leading discussions with global pharma about what’s possible. We recently launched a new global Life Sciences GenAI Council – a powerful peer group that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Generative AI across the Life Sciences R&D lifecycle. Its members are leading representatives from Pharma, Academia and AI tech. The sessions combine blue-sky thinking with advanced technology expertise, to drive real-world problem-solving at a biopharma level.
As a technologically advanced company, ArisGlobal is actively helping pharma harness GenAI via tangible applications that transform the overall R&D IT processes across pharmacovigilance, regulatory and other associated domains.
The new accelerator for Life Sciences and for healthcare is the power we can derive from all of the rich data (including standardised real-world data) that’s now available to be analysed on the fly – as long as we have the technology to harness it reliably. For ArisGlobal, GenAI isn’t something that’s ‘over there’; we are working with our pharma customers to prioritise the most relevant focus areas to leverage GenAI.
As someone deeply involved in HealthTech and abreast of industry trends, what advice would you offer to individuals seeking to build a successful career in this rapidly evolving field, especially considering the importance of continuous learning and adaptation?
There’s never been a more exciting time to enter this dynamic industry. Whereas other tech-advanced industries like financial services and retail are using advanced automation largely for cost efficiency, biopharma and healthcare are applying it to transform people’s lives.
The opportunities are broad and diverse, with large scope for career mobility and continuous learning, not least as new technologies and new approaches to delivering healthcare emerge. AI, Machine Learning and advanced data analytics are enabling important new discoveries and driving new approaches to treatment and new outcomes – and hope – for patients.
HealthTech and Life Sciences is highly collaborative, so there are substantial opportunities to explore different roles and functions right across science, tech, business and compliance.
With your leadership, ArisGlobal has made significant strides in advancing its strategy toward next-gen technology, including the launch of the LifeSphere SaaS offering. Can you provide some insights into the company’s vision for the future and how it plans to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market?
We’ve spearheaded innovation in Life Sciences for more than 35 years and are committed to pushing the envelope of what’s possible – specifically how advanced tech can help get more of the right medicines and therapies, more safely and efficiently, into the hands of patients.
We’re highly connected to the industry we serve, and through our new GenAI Council we are deepening that collaboration with leaders across the health/life sciences and tech ecosystem. Because these Council meetings happen behind closed doors, members can speak freely about their latest projects and ideas, which really advances the conversation.
The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, with regulatory requirements and patient expectations continually shifting. How does ArisGlobal ensure its solutions remain compliant and adaptable to these changes, while also meeting the evolving needs of its clients?
We came from the safety side, so compliance is in our DNA and underpins all our solutions. As well as closely tracking the markets globally for evolving requirements and advancing the use of technology to help pharma companies achieve compliance efficiently, we’re also heavily committed to the compliance and transparency of the technology itself – including the parameters of AI, and the integrity of the data and resulting insights.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the most promising opportunities and challenges for the HealthTech industry?
AI will increasingly transform the delivery of healthcare, extending to the increased personalisation of treatment plans and in more accurately predicting outcomes – all leading to more effective, cost-effective healthcare delivery and an improved patient experience.
Emerging challenges include implications arising from the European AI Act (the first comprehensive regulation on AI by a major regulator), industry confidence in AI and its reliability (e.g. linked to ‘hallucinations’/ the potential for misleading conclusions) and matters of user adoption. Overcoming these challenges will be key to the industry transformation that’s now possible.
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