Quantitative insights on artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry: A patent-basis analysis of technological trends and key players

IF 1.9 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE

World Patent Information Pub Date : 2025-08-04 DOI:10.1016/j.wpi.2025.102381

Shunsuke Sakaoka, Shingo Kano

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Abstract

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical industry has rapidly expanded in recent years. To quantitatively assess this emerging trend, previous studies have conducted bibliometric analyses using publication databases to elucidate leading affiliations, research themes, and the contributions and research focuses of key players, including mega pharma, big IT firms, AI startups, and academic institutions. However, quantitative analyses that leverage patent databases to capture these significant shifts and assess the contributions of the key players are scarce. This study investigated technological trends in AI applications within the pharmaceutical industry and clarify the roles and strategic focuses of key players through patent analysis. A total of 1365 AI-related pharmaceutical patent applications in the United States between 2000 and 2023 were identified. Through a detailed analysis of patents, we revealed that AI is strategically employed across critical business domains, including drug discovery, drug development, diagnosis, manufacturing, marketing, and healthcare. Moreover, the study unveiled the specific business areas where each key player has focused their AI-driven initiatives and historical contributions to AI applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The findings underscore both patent and literature analyses are essential to comprehensively assess AI applications and contributions of key players in the pharmaceutical industry.

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制药行业人工智能的定量分析：技术趋势和关键参与者的专利分析

近年来，人工智能（AI）在制药行业的应用迅速扩大。为了定量评估这一新兴趋势，之前的研究使用出版物数据库进行了文献计量分析，以阐明主要从属关系、研究主题以及主要参与者（包括大型制药公司、大型IT公司、人工智能初创公司和学术机构）的贡献和研究重点。然而，利用专利数据库捕捉这些重大变化并评估关键参与者贡献的定量分析很少。本研究调查了制药行业人工智能应用的技术趋势，并通过专利分析阐明了关键参与者的角色和战略重点。在2000年至2023年期间，美国共确定了1365项与人工智能相关的药物专利申请。通过对专利的详细分析，我们发现人工智能被战略性地应用于关键业务领域，包括药物发现、药物开发、诊断、制造、营销和医疗保健。此外，该研究还揭示了每个关键参与者专注于人工智能驱动计划的特定业务领域以及对制药行业人工智能应用的历史贡献。研究结果强调，专利和文献分析对于全面评估人工智能应用和制药行业主要参与者的贡献至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

World Patent Information INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

18.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： The aim of World Patent Information is to provide a worldwide forum for the exchange of information between people working professionally in the field of Industrial Property information and documentation and to promote the widest possible use of the associated literature. Regular features include: papers concerned with all aspects of Industrial Property information and documentation; new regulations pertinent to Industrial Property information and documentation; short reports on relevant meetings and conferences; bibliographies, together with book and literature reviews.