How AI is Redefining Clinical Trials in Canada: Lower Costs, Enhanced Data, and Global Leadership
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new to healthcare. While deep-learning algorithms date back to the 1960s and AI applications in healthcare began in the 1970s, limited digital infrastructure hindered widespread adoption. Today, with advanced technology at its core, AI is transforming clinical trials by streamlining processes, improving success rates, and providing better access for patient participants.
Tackling Late-Stage Failures with AI
One of the most significant challenges in clinical trials is late-stage drug failures. According to Alison Mitro, Head of Clinical Trial Solutions at Toronto-based Altis Labs, AI offers a solution to mitigate these risks.
“We believe that one of the biggest impacts AI can have is by helping study sponsors reduce the risk of late-stage failures,” Mitro explained. “Around 40 to 50 percent of drugs fail in clinical trials due to a lack of efficacy. That’s a problem we aim to help solve.”
Beyond risk reduction, AI can also automate expensive and time-consuming tasks such as imaging analysis, data collection, and paperwork, significantly reducing overall trial costs.
Enhancing Patient Care and Clinical Processes
Dr. Fahad Razak, an internal medicine physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto, sees AI as an invaluable tool in advancing patient care through clinical trials. However, he emphasizes the importance of ensuring safety, eliminating biases, and maintaining defensibility in outcomes.
“How do you do that in a way that is safe? How do you do that in a way that is unbiased? How do you ensure the benefits for the patient?” Dr. Razak asks. “That’s where randomized trials are critical.”
Cutting Costs and Unlocking Opportunities
Clinical trials are expensive undertakings, often costing millions of dollars to complete. From administrative expenses to site monitoring and patient recruitment, the costs can prevent promising drugs from making it to market. While AI cannot directly generate funding, it can significantly lower costs by optimizing various trial components.
“Everything costs money, and the challenge is deciding where to allocate it,” said Dr. Razak. “AI innovation is a game-changer and provides immense value to Canadians.”
AI also enhances data analysis, identifying patterns and extracting insights that could predict a drug’s effectiveness or highlight potential issues earlier in the trial process. This capability not only improves trial success rates but can also drive new scientific discoveries.
“We have all this data collected in clinical trials beyond just imaging,” said Mitro. “AI helps identify patterns and interpret data to predict drug efficacy, something previously impossible without AI.”
Accelerating Time-to-Market
Clinical trials often take years—or even decades—to reach phase III, where drug efficacy is determined. Failures at this stage can result in substantial financial and time losses. By incorporating AI, trials can become more efficient, reducing time-to-market for life-saving drugs while minimizing wasted resources.
As AI continues to evolve, Canada’s clinical trial landscape is poised for significant advancements. By cutting costs, improving data insights, and reducing late-stage failures, AI could position Canada as a global leader in innovative healthcare solutions.
Source : Swifteradio.com
