Syneos teams with Microsoft in latest AI deal
US clinical services firm Syneos Health has added Microsoft to its growing list of AI partners.
The clinical research organization (CRO) announced the multi-year agreement with Microsoft earlier this month, explaining the idea is to help it apply artificial intelligence (AI) to its clinical and commercial businesses.
Under the partnership – financial terms of which were not disclosed – the firms will work together to advance a machine learning-based analytics platform Syneos has developed using Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform.
According to a Syneos statement the collaboration will leverage developments from OpenAI, with the aim being to deliver technology and data solutions that accelerate clinical development and elevate commercial performance for biopharma customers.
Syneos CEO Michelle Keefe said, “Microsoft is the ideal technology partner”, adding “their clear industry leadership in AI and their pragmatic approach to improving healthcare outcomes for patients, science and industry is completely aligned with our value proposition.”
Patty Obermaier, VP of US Health and Life Sciences at Microsoft was also upbeat about the partnership, predicting her firm’s tech “allows them to develop a platform that empowers biopharma customers to deliver therapies to patients faster.”
Artificial intelligence
The agreement is not the first artificial intelligence focused deal that Syneos has signed this year.
In February, the CRO teamed up with Haystack Health, a Roivant Health company that develops artificial intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) solutions.
The focus was the development of technologies that more effectively and efficiently identify and match clinical trial opportunities for patients.
And, just this month, Syneos teamed up with data analytics engine developer KX to help customers use AI and machine learning to aid decision-making related to drug trial site selection.
In a press statement the CRO said, both parties will “utilize Microsoft’s Azure technology to bring the potential benefits of AI, ML and tech-enabled solutions to customers.”
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