AI, Global Collaboration, and Investment Are Poised to Shape Biopharma's Future, Says Sara Jane Demy

Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape drug development, but its success will depend on continued investment and global scientific collaboration. Speaking with BioPharm International during the BIO International Convention 2026, Sara Jane Demy, CEO of Demy-Colton, discussed how these trends could help improve development efficiency and accelerate innovation.

How could AI and global collaboration transform the future of drug development?

Artificial intelligence, renewed investment, and growing international collaboration are creating new opportunities to improve drug development efficiency, according to Demy. She shared her perspective on how emerging technologies and global partnerships could help address one of the industry's most persistent challenges.

One area she highlighted is what she referred to as the industry's "90% problem," the reality that roughly 90% of drug candidates entering clinical development ultimately fail despite significant investments of time and capital. Although success rates have improved over the past two decades, Demy said the pace of progress underscores the need for new approaches.

Artificial intelligence, she believes, could play an important role in changing that trajectory.

Demy pointed to advances in AI-driven target identification, molecule discovery, and drug design as technologies that have the potential to improve productivity throughout the development process. By helping researchers identify more promising candidates earlier, AI could reduce costly late-stage failures while allowing companies to redirect resources toward additional therapeutic programs.

"I'm just thinking about speeding up productivity, reducing that failure rate, getting therapeutics into the hands of patients, and freeing up capital to invest in other therapeutic areas," Demy said.

The discussion also reflected one of the defining characteristics of BIO International Convention 2026, the global nature of the biopharmaceutical industry. Demy noted the broad international participation at the meeting and emphasized that scientific innovation extends well beyond geographic boundaries.

"Science in our space does not know boundaries," she said, pointing to the diversity of companies and researchers represented throughout the conference.

She also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration as companies pursue treatments for unmet medical needs, including infectious diseases and other global health challenges. As new outbreaks continue to emerge, Demy said the biotechnology sector will play a central role in developing future therapeutic solutions.

The conversation echoed broader themes that emerged throughout BioPharm International's BIO 2026 coverage, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence, strategic partnerships, and international collaboration on drug development. Demy also praised the resilience of biotechnology entrepreneurs, noting that advancing a new therapy requires navigating considerable scientific and financial risk.

Despite those challenges, she said the industry's willingness to pursue ambitious ideas continues to drive innovation. With thousands of participants from around the world gathering at BIO 2026, Demy said the meeting demonstrated the collective commitment to developing better therapies and advancing patient care through science.

Click to watch part one and part two of this interview.

For more BIO International Convention 2026 coverage, click here.