What if AI could help us discover new medicines faster, more accurately, and with greater impact for patients?

In this episode of AI at Work, I speak with Dr. Chris Austin, Head of Research Technologies at GSK, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way new treatments are developed. Chris brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience across academia, biotech, government, and now big pharma. His mission at GSK is clear: to bring science, technology, and talent together to radically improve human health.

We unpack how AI, combined with massive clinical and genetic datasets, is enabling GSK to target disease with unprecedented precision. From identifying the right molecular pathways to simulating clinical trials using digital twins, Chris walks us through how technology is helping reduce development timelines and increase the chances of success. He shares powerful examples including a promising asthma treatment that moved from first-in-human testing to Phase 3 trials across four diseases in record time.

We also explore how GSK uses AI to improve patient selection in clinical trials, design oligonucleotide-based therapies for hard-to-treat conditions like hepatitis B, and incorporate generative AI into everything from drug design to safety prediction. According to Chris, the key isn't just having better algorithms. It's about generating the right data, at scale, to make those algorithms meaningful.

If you're curious about how AI is being applied to some of the most complex problems in healthcare, this episode offers a rare inside look. Chris also reflects on his journey from medicine to data science, and why this is the most exciting time he’s seen in drug development.