Benchling Report: AI and Automation Reshaping Biopharma R&D

According to the 2024 Biopharma Technology Landscape published by Benchling, a leading R&D cloud software company specializing in the biotech industry, a majority of large biopharma companies have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to optimize their R&D.

According to the Benchling study 67% of large companies (1,000+ employees) are now using AI and machine learning (ML), compared to only 23% of small companies.

The study highlights a major shift in how major pharmaceutical companies are using these technologies to accelerate drug discovery and improve their competitiveness.

Benchling: AI to accelerate innovation cycles

Artificial intelligence is seen as a strategic lever to reduce time to market for treatments. 75% of large companies believe that AI and ML will significantly accelerate their development processes in the next 12 to 24 months. This dynamic is based in particular on AI’s ability to automate the analysis of large data sets, identify new therapeutic targets and optimize the design of clinical trials.

The adoption of these technologies is supported by strategic initiatives at the highest level of organizations. 50% of large companies have already implemented programs dedicated to AI and ML. A figure that falls to 28% in small companies, where the integration of these tools remains more marginal, according to teh Benchling study

Automation and data platforms, keys to transformation shows the Benchling study

Benchling’s study also found that automation and scientific data management platforms are playing a critical role in the digitalization of labs. Large biopharma companies are adopting these technologies at a rapid pace, with robotics and automation usage at twice the rate of smaller organizations.

However, challenges persist, says the Benchling report. Connectivity to lab instruments and adoption of cloud solutions remain limited. For example, only 23% of small businesses and 17% of large businesses have adopted SaaS-based scientific software, hampering the full exploitation of AI. Furthermore, only 37% of small businesses report that more than 60% of their lab instruments have automated data capture.

Towards a more connected and intelligent biopharma

Benchling’s study highlights a technological divide between large and small companies. While the most structured laboratories invest massively in AI and automation, smaller structures adopt a more cautious approach, often limited to pilot projects.

The trend is clear: AI and digitalization are transforming biopharma R&D. To maximize these opportunities, the industry will need to address challenges related to technology integration, data quality, and cloud infrastructure adoption.

Only 25% of large companies and 9% of small companies have reached a foundational level of AI readiness, integrating elements such as talent, data structuring, and automation. These proportions drop to 14% and 3%, respectively, for an advanced level. 73% of large biopharma companies are using generative AI, compared to 26% of small companies.

Fragmentation and complexity of IT systems in biopharma

54% of scientific software used by large companies is custom-developed, complicating the integration of new technologies.

36% of IT managers in large companies manage more than 100 laboratory instruments, requiring increased interoperability.

68% of large enterprises believe that system fragmentation, data security and regulatory requirements are holding back SaaS adoption.

Laboratory technologies and connectivity

Only 41% of large companies believe they have good integration between their wet and dry labs, a major obstacle to AI readiness.

78% of small businesses consider the cost of investing in robotics and automation to be a major obstacle.

62% of large companies and 54% of small companies cite improved productivity as the main driver for adopting R&D data platforms.

66% of small businesses use commercial solutions to manage their R&D data platforms, compared to 56% of large businesses that prefer hybrid solutions.
Methodology

Benchling’s 2024 Biopharma Technology Landscape is based on the insights of 300 R&D and IT leaders in the U.S. (59%) and Europe (41%) from biopharma companies of varying sizes. A copy of the full report is available via this link.

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