While the pharma industry is embracing AI-based technology, it’s still struggling to find the best uses for these programs in its workflows. While the tech has the potential to enhance everything from drug development to marketing, it can also bring complications to these processes. EVERSANA’s Faruk Capan and Scott Snyder spoke with Pharmaceutical Executive about the company’s new AI Accelerator initiative.
Key Takeaways
- The EVERSANA AI Accelerator is our dedicated center of excellence designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence across every facet of commercialization.
- While there’s growing interest and expectation from leaders, most organizations haven’t laid the foundation for real transformation.
- AI can help identify patients faster, engage patients and HCPs through hyper-personalized experiences, augment traditional field and medical affairs resources, and tailor customer support models to the unique needs of each patient.
How can pharma properly utilize AI?
Pharmaceutical Executive: How does the AI Accelerator work?
Faruk Capan: The EVERSANA AI Accelerator is our dedicated center of excellence designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence across every facet of commercialization. Innovation is embedded in EVERSANA’s DNA, and we have been an early mover in applying AI in the pharma space.This initiative brings together our top AI practitioners with like-minded partners, platforms, and services to unlock new value for clients and patients.
I often refer to this as “pharmatizing AI”—applying AI in ways that are deeply relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. Our goal is to accelerate the development of commercialization solutions that truly improve patient outcomes and transform how companies operate.
PE: Is the pharma industry—and specifically the commercialization sector—embracing AI? If not, what’s holding it back?
Scott Snyder:Some parts of the industry are moving forward, but many are still lagging. While there’s growing interest and expectation from leaders, most organizations haven’t laid the foundation for real transformation. The pace of innovation demands expert teams and technology partnerships that not only understand AI but can also deliver real-world impact. That’s exactly what we’re building at EVERSANA.
PE: What’s the overarching goal of the Accelerator?
Faruk Capan: We want the Accelerator to be a think tank and incubator to rapidly test and scale new innovative AI solutions that deliver impact for life science companies and patients. It’s a place where brands can explore what’s possible with AI. Our teams are already collaborating with leading tech companies and pioneering new ways to deliver value. We’re just getting started.
PE: What should brands that are hesitant about AI adoption do now?
Scott Snyder: They need to get moving by thinking both “today forward” and “future back” in how AI can deliver real value across the patient journey and commercial operating model. If they lack in-house capabilities, they should partner with experts. The opportunity is massive. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could create $60 to $110 billion in annual value across the pharma value chain, with $18 to $30 billion in commercialization alone.
But it’s not just about financial upside. AI can help identify patients faster, engage patients and HCPs through hyper-personalized experiences, augment traditional field and medical affairs resources, and tailor customer support models to the unique needs of each patient. Ultimately, it’s about getting treatments to patients more efficiently.
PE: Where do you see AI headed in pharma over the next year?
Faruk Capan: The pace of change is staggering. A year from now, we’ll likely look back and wonder why we didn’t do more, sooner. But success won’t come from AI alone—it will come from combining AI with deep healthcare expertise. That’s the magic of the Accelerator: AI powered by people who understand how to apply it using a responsible innovation model that meets the unique needs of healthcare and life science companies.
