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GenAI: Transforming Patent Trends and Revolutionizing Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals

GenAI: Transforming Patent Trends and Revolutionizing Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals
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WIPO recently published a "Patent Landscape Report" on Generative AI (GenAI), reflecting a surge in interest since OpenAI's ChatGPT debut in November 2022, described by Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang as a transformative "iPhone moment" for GenAI. This report expands on WIPO's 2019 analysis of AI trends, focusing on patenting trends and scientific publications to illuminate technological advancements, global dynamics, and potential applications of GenAI.

Since 2017, there has been a significant rise in GenAI patent families and scientific publications, driven by advances in computing power, expansive datasets for training, and enhanced AI/machine learning algorithms. Innovations like transformer architecture in large language models (LLMs) have propelled GenAI, facilitating sophisticated applications across diverse fields.

The number of GenAI patent families has skyrocketed from 733 in 2014 to over 14,000 in 2023, with an 800% surge since the introduction of the transformer in 2017. Scientific publications have similarly surged from 116 in 2014 to over 34,000 in 2023, with a notable concentration in recent years—over 25% of all GenAI patents and 45% of scientific papers were published in 2023 alone.

Leading in GenAI patents are Tencent, Ping An Insurance Group, Baidu, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and IBM. Tencent plans to integrate GenAI into WeChat for user experience enhancement, while Ping An focuses on underwriting and risk assessment models. Baidu has launched ERNIE 4.0, its latest LLM-based AI chatbot. Scientifically, the Chinese Academy of Sciences tops with over 1,100 publications, followed by Tsinghua University and Stanford University.

The US leads in impactful GenAI scientific publications, notably Alphabet/Google with substantial citations despite fewer publications. OpenAI, despite fewer articles, ranks high in citation impact, reflecting its influence despite limited output.

China,USA, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, and Germany lead in GenAI invention, with China publishing more patents annually since 2017 than all other countries combined. From 2014 to 2023, inventors in China were responsible for more than 38,000 patent families, followed by the US with around 6,300.

Between 2014 and 2023, generative adversarial network (GAN)-related patent families numbered 9,700, with 2,400 in 2023 alone. Variational autoencoder (VAE)  and Large language models (LLMs) followed with approximately 1,800 and 1,300 new patent families, respectively. However, diffusion models and LLMs have shown higher growth rates over the last three years, with diffusion models increasing from 18 in 2020 to 441 in 2023, and LLMs from 53 in 2020 to 881 in 2023.

GenAI's primary data types include image/video (important for GANs) and text/speech/sound/music (critical for LLMs), with applications spanning software, life sciences, document management, business solutions, industry, transportation, security, and telecommunications. These patents promise transformative impacts across industries, from accelerating drug development in life sciences (5,346 patent families between 2014 and 2023) to enhancing efficiency in document management and publishing (4,976).

Overall, the WIPO report underscores GenAI's rapid evolution, driven by technological innovation and expanding global research and development efforts, poised to reshape industries worldwide.

The Transformative Impact of AI on Life Sciences: A Focus on Biotech and Pharmaceuticals

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing life sciences, particularly in biotech and pharmaceutical research and development (R&D). By leveraging foundation models, AI accelerates drug development through efficient screening and optimization of molecules for new formulations. Additionally, AI fosters personalized medicine by analyzing extensive patient data, allowing for tailored treatments and predictive drug responses based on individual genomic profiles. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that AI in pharmaceuticals and medical products could generate an annual economic value ranging from $60 billion to $110 billion.

India's Healthcare Disparities

India aims to establish large-scale plants for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations by 2030. India faces significant healthcare inequalities, with urban areas hosting 63% of hospital beds and 80% of doctors, despite comprising only 31% of the population. This leaves rural regions underserved, forcing many to seek informal providers or forego treatment due to financial constraints. Out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure pushes millions into poverty annually, with nearly 55 million Indians falling below the poverty line in 2017 due to healthcare costs. Inadequate health insurance coverage further exacerbates the issue, leaving approximately 400 million individuals uninsured. Despite challenges, India has made progress in healthcare financing. Government health expenditure as a proportion of total health expenditure increased from 28.6% in fiscal year (FY) 2014 to 40.6% in FY2019. Out-of-pocket expenditure decreased from 64.2% in FY2014 to 48.2% in FY2019, reflecting efforts to reduce financial burdens on individuals seeking healthcare. The share of health expenditure within total social services expenditure increased from 21% in FY2019 to 26% in FY2023, indicating a growing recognition of healthcare’s role in societal well-being. Central and state governments are allocating a higher proportion of GDP towards healthcare, with budgeted expenditure reaching 2.1% of GDP in FY2023 and 2.2% in FY2022, up from 1.6% in FY2021. Social security expenditure on health rose from 6% in FY2014 to 9.6% in FY2019, aiming to expand healthcare coverage and protection for vulnerable populations.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Implementing AI in healthcare presents challenges, including technological complexity and interoperability issues in diverse healthcare systems. Limited internet access, outdated hardware, and a shortage of technical expertise hinder seamless integration of AI solutions. Ethical considerations such as fairness, transparency, and privacy protection are paramount, necessitating robust regulatory frameworks to govern AI deployment in healthcare. Addressing algorithmic bias and ensuring accountable decision-making processes are essential to uphold patient rights and ethical standards.

Generative AI: Revolutionizing the Pharmaceutical and Biotech Sectors

Generative AI (GenAI) is driving groundbreaking advancements in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. This advanced technology transforms traditional approaches to drug discovery, development, and personalized medicine, ushering in a new era of innovation and efficiency.

GenAI in Biotech and Pharma Research and Development

GenAI, underpinned by foundation models, accelerates the discovery and optimization of new drugs. By leveraging sophisticated AI algorithms, researchers can swiftly screen and design molecules tailored for specific therapeutic applications. This process significantly reduces the time and resources required for drug formulation while enhancing the precision and efficacy of new treatments.

Furthermore, GenAI advances personalized medicine by analyzing extensive datasets, including patient genomes and clinical records. This capability allows healthcare providers to predict individual responses to treatments, customizing medical interventions for optimal outcomes. For instance, AI models can forecast how patients with different genetic profiles might respond to specific medications, guiding clinicians in selecting the most effective therapies.

A report by The McKinsey Global Institute highlights the economic potential of integrating GenAI in pharmaceutical R&D. The technology could generate annual economic value between $60 billion and $110 billion for the global pharma and medical-product industries, underscoring GenAI’s role as a catalyst for scientific advancement and financial growth.

Transforming the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector

India’s pharmaceutical industry exemplifies the transformative impact of GenAI. Indian companies are increasingly utilizing AI-driven algorithms to streamline clinical trials, optimize drug development processes, and enhance operational efficiencies. This shift towards AI-driven innovation is positioning India as a global leader in pharmaceutical advancements, driving growth and competitiveness in the international market.

In India’s pharmaceutical landscape, GenAI is reshaping the entire R&D value chain. It accelerates drug discovery and facilitates the development of targeted therapies, addressing critical healthcare challenges such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, fibrosis, and rare genetic disorders. This transformative impact not only improves treatment options but also enhances patient outcomes and quality of life.

The integration of GenAI with advanced data analytics enables early-stage cost savings and robust innovation pipelines. AI-powered analytics facilitate proactive failure detection during clinical trials, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing setbacks. Additionally, AI-driven insights contribute to the precision design of drug formulations, ensuring therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Enhancing Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience

Beyond R&D, the convergence of localization, digitization, and sustainability trends is reshaping India’s pharmaceutical supply chain. Strategic investments in Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI-driven automation and data analytics, are essential for building a resilient supply chain capable of meeting evolving market demands. By reducing human intervention in manufacturing processes, AI enhances product quality, standardizes procedures, and ensures compliance with global regulatory standards.

To achieve India’s ambitious pharmaceutical goals by 2030, the industry is prioritizing the establishment of large-scale facilities for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations. This strategic focus on automation and technology adoption is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and enhancing operational efficiency across the supply chain. AI-powered predictive analytics enable pharmaceutical companies to anticipate market trends, optimize inventory management, and mitigate supply chain disruptions, ensuring consistent access to essential medications.

Legal Implications and Regulatory Challenges

The deployment of AI in pharmaceuticals raises significant legal and regulatory considerations. Key concerns include data privacy, security, and the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making in healthcare. Robust legal frameworks are essential to safeguarding patient rights and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, particularly concerning the collection, storage, and use of sensitive medical data.

Addressing algorithmic bias and accountability issues is crucial for fostering trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions. Regulatory bodies play a pivotal role in establishing guidelines that govern the responsible development, deployment, and maintenance of AI technologies in pharmaceutical settings. Promoting transparency, fairness, and ethical standards, regulatory frameworks can mitigate risks associated with AI while maximizing its benefits for patients and healthcare providers.

Advancements Across Critical Areas

GenAI is revolutionizing several critical areas within the pharmaceutical industry. In drug discovery, it accelerates the process by generating novel molecular structures, predicting compound interactions, and facilitating drug repurposing efforts. For example, Insilico Medicine utilized GenAI to develop INS018_055 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, significantly reducing time and costs compared to traditional methods.

Clinical trials benefit from GenAI through enhanced protocol design, simulated patient responses, and optimized study designs. By improving data augmentation through realistic patient data synthesis, GenAI enhances efficiency and reduces operational costs. Leading pharmaceutical companies like Bayer and Sanofi are integrating GenAI to streamline trial processes and enhance participant recruitment, accelerating clinical research.

Personalized medicine is another area poised for transformation by GenAI models that predict disease progression based on individual genetic profiles, enabling tailored treatment plans. Although practical applications are still emerging, GenAI holds promise in optimizing therapies based on genetic insights, and revolutionising patient care with more effective and personalized treatment options.

In marketing and patient engagement, GenAI plays a crucial role in creating personalized content, analyzing market trends, and optimizing advertising campaigns. It enhances customer engagement through tailored messaging and supports social media management. Companies like Gramener exemplify this capability by generating compliant marketing materials, and improving efficiency and campaign effectiveness.

Supply chain management also benefits from GenAI’s predictive capabilities, which forecast demand, optimize supply chains, and manage supplier relationships. Sanofi’s AI-powered analytics, for instance, enhance inventory management and supply chain responsiveness, ensuring better resource allocation and distribution.

Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges

While GenAI offers immense potential, it introduces significant legal challenges, particularly concerning intellectual property (IP) rights. Questions about the ownership of AI-generated works and the applicability of copyright, patent, and trademark laws persist. Recent legal cases, such as Andersen v. Stability AI, highlight concerns over the unauthorized use of copyrighted works for training AI models, prompting businesses to adopt cautious approaches to ensure compliance with existing laws.

Ethical considerations also play a critical role in GenAI adoption, especially in healthcare settings where biases in AI applications can lead to disparities in disease diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Initiatives by organizations like UNESCO and the European Commission aim to promote accountability and inclusivity in AI development, emphasizing the need for rigorous ethical frameworks and diverse dataset training to ensure fair and equitable outcomes.

Ensuring the reliability of GenAI in pharmaceutical applications requires rigorous data curation and testing. Maintaining data integrity through robust infrastructures and collaboration among data scientists, legal experts, and medical professionals is essential to mitigate ethical risks and ensure fair treatment outcomes. Regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders must collaborate to establish clear guidelines for the ethical deployment of GenAI in healthcare, emphasizing transparency, interpretability, and fairness.

By addressing technological, ethical, regulatory, and societal challenges, stakeholders can harness AI’s capabilities to build a more inclusive and resilient healthcare system.


IP Round-up

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IP Round Up 09 07 produced using ai narration via podcastle by ASIAMP3
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Bajaj Auto has launched the first-ever CNG-powered motorcycle, priced considerably less than its petrol variant. The company targets initial monthly sales of 10,000 units, with plans for gradual growth. Analysts foresee a sales increase, but some suggest the low pricing could impact short-term profitability. Should the motorcycle gain traction, companies like Indraprastha Gas and Mahanagar Gas may experience a rapid boost in demand. (Source: Bloomberg)
Bajaj first-ever CNG-powered motorcycle Image Source: The Daily Gaurdian
Taylor Swift (34) boasts over 110 million monthly listeners on Spotify, while Arijit Singh (37) has more than 37 million. Remarkably, Rahul Dev (RD) Burman, who passed away in 1994 at 54, still garners 9 million monthly listeners on Spotify—a platform launched decades after his death. RD, primarily a composer, resonates deeply with listeners who weren't even born when he passed away. Celebrated for his innovative approach, RD embraced new technologies and unconventional sounds, crafting timeless melodies. His team culture and ability to nurture talent like Louiz Banks and Ranjit Gazmer were crucial to his success. RD's brand, built on authenticity and experimentation, continues to thrive, offering valuable lessons in business management. His legacy, characterized by a unique fusion of Indian classical and Western rhythms, transcends eras and borders, demonstrating the enduring power of authenticity, innovation, and collaboration in creating iconic brands. (Source: TOI)
R.D.Burman Image Source: Zoom Tv
The Delhi High Court has issued a summons to Press Trust of India (PTI) in a copyright infringement and plagiarism case filed by Asian News International (ANI). Justice Mini Pushkarna directed PTI to respond and scheduled a hearing for August 9. ANI alleges that PTI copied its videos showing passengers on a Delhi-Darbhanga Spicejet flight enduring a malfunctioning air conditioning system on June 19, 2024. ANI claims its video journalist recorded the footage, which PTI allegedly published shortly after ANI released it. ANI seeks damages exceeding ₹2 crores and a permanent injunction against PTI using its content. (Source: Bar and Bench)
ANI News and PTI Logo Image Source: LiveLaw
In one of its first references to the new criminal law effective from July 1, the Delhi High Court cited the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in a trademark infringement case involving forgery and document fabrication. KG Marketing India, an electrical appliances manufacturer, sued two individuals for trademark infringement over the use of the 'SURYA' mark, obtaining an interim order in January of the previous year. The defendants later claimed copyright ownership of various 'SURYA GOLD' labels and alleged that KG Marketing’s documents were fabricated. Considering potential action under Section 340 of the CrPC, Justice Prathiba Singh, in a July 2 order, stated that since the application was pending when the new BNSS and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, were enacted, the case would proceed under the old code. The court noted forgery and fabrication, emphasizing that KG Marketing admitted to the forgery only after the defendants identified the original newspaper. (Source: Indian Express)
Image Source: LiveLaw

Moderna sued Pfizer and BioNTech for patent infringement related to their Comirnaty vaccine, seeking compensation for products made after March 7, 2022. Pfizer and BioNTech denied infringement, seeking to invalidate two Moderna patents. In a 153-page ruling, Mr. Justice Meade found Moderna’s EP565 patent invalid but upheld the validity of the EP949 patent, which was infringed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Pfizer and BioNTech expressed disappointment and plan to appeal the EP949 decision, while Moderna welcomed the recognition of their innovation but will consider appealing other aspects. A parallel trial focused on the interpretation of Moderna’s pledge not to enforce Covid-19 patents during the pandemic. Mr. Justice Richards ruled that Pfizer and BioNTech had consent to use the patents until March 7, 2022, when Moderna revoked this consent. (Source: Yahoo News)

Vials with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for COVID-19 Image Source: CNBC

Reference:
Blair, A., Imthurn, E., Jayaraman, R., & Raghunandan, K. (2023, May 12). Generative AI in the pharmaceutical industry: Moving from hype to reality. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/generative-ai-in-the-pharmaceutical-industry-moving-from-hype-to-reality

WIPO. (2024). Patent landscape report on generative artificial intelligence (AI), from https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/patent-landscape-report-generative-artificial-intelligence-genai/assets/62504/Generative%20AI%20-%20PLR_WEB.pdf

EY. (2024). How Gen AI is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry, from https://www.ey.com/en_in/health/how-gen-ai-is-revolutionizing-the-pharmaceutical-industry

Northern Light. (2024). Pharma companies are jumping on the Gen AI train, from https://northernlight.com/pharma-companies-are-jumping-on-the-genai-train/

Pharmaceutical Technology. (n.d.). Can pharma overcome generative AI's bias problem?, from https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/can-pharma-overcome-generative-ais-bias-problem/?cf-view

Spencer-Jolliffe, N. (2024). Can pharma overcome generative AI's bias problem?, from https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/can-pharma-overcome-generative-ais-bias-problem/?cf-view

Alkhaldi, N. (2024). Generative AI in pharma. ITRex Group, from https://itrexgroup.com/blog/generative-ai-in-pharma/

Harvard Business Review. (2023, April). Generative AI has an intellectual property problem., from https://hbr.org/2023/04/generative-ai-has-an-intellectual-property-problem

Rajeev, G., & Singh, V. B. (2024, April). Training GenAI: Infringement or fair use? SpicyIP, from https://spicyip.com/2024/04/training-genai-infringement-or-fair-use.html

Jha, P. (2024). ANI sues PTI in Delhi High Court for 2 crores copyright infringement. Bar and Bench, from https://www.barandbench.com/news/ani-sues-pti-delhi-high-court-2-crores-copyright-infringement

Bloomberg. (2024). India stock market today: CNG bikes to bless city gas suppliers, from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-09/india-stock-market-today-cng-bikes-to-bless-city-gas-suppliers

Times of India. (2024). What businesses can learn from R.D. Burman's music, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what-businesses-can-learn-from-rd-burmans-music/articleshow/111520432.cms?pcode=462

Pilgrim, T. (2024). Judge gives split ruling on Covid. Yahoo News UK, from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/judge-gives-split-ruling-covid-101657721.html

Indian Express. (2024). In a first, Delhi HC refers to new criminal law in trademark infringement case, from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/in-a-first-delhi-hc-refers-to-new-criminal-law-in-trademark-infringement-case-9433820/

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Written by Shivani, Technical Assistance for Audio by Khushi

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