Ditching pipettes for computers: The rise of artificial intelligence in biomanufacturing

Described as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines," AI (artificial intelligence) has expanded rapidly and has made a lasting impact in the bioprocessing sector. From diagnosis to personalised treatments, AI is making its mark across modern medicine, with both SMEs and Big Pharma making use of it to increase efficiency in the manufacturing of medicines and to create the best outcomes for patients. Speaking at the BioIndustry Association's 16th Annual bioProcessUK conference last year, Dr Andrew Phillips of Microsoft Research highlighted that genetically programmed organisms are attracting significant investment (more than US$3.8 billion in private investment last year) and are becoming the fastest growing area in pharma. At the start of 2020, we heard that AI is more accurate than doctors in diagnosing breast cancer … so it's clear that AI will continue to be at the forefront of the sector throughout 2020 and beyond. Microsoft has become a big player in our sector, partnering with researchers at Princeton University in the US and two UK companies -- Oxford BioMedica and Synthace -- to develop Station B. The Station B platform, which is being developed in Cambridge, UK, is made up of integrated computer programs that can analyse biomedical data.