Behrad Behmardi
EVP Information Technology, Bionical Emas
Daniel Holmes
AI Delivery Manager, Bionical Emas
AI is being utilised to accelerate patient access to life-changing medicines around the world, through smarter, more streamlined and more efficient global Early Access Programmes (EAP).
Global Early Access Programmes
EAPs are helping to bridge the gap, enabling patients to receive investigational treatments before they are commercially available. “Early Access Programmes give physicians a platform to request medicines for patients when other options have been exhausted,” explains Behrad Behmardi, EVP IT at Bionical Emas. “Requests are screened to ensure eligibility, and we take responsibility for making sure the medicine gets to the patient on time in a regulatory-compliant manner.”
Using AI to accelerate access
With laws and regulations unique to each country, accessing medications can be time-consuming and admin-heavy. Specialist EAP provider Bionical Emas is looking at how AI can enhance its already robust processes to benefit healthcare professionals and patients.
“We’re looking at how AI can shorten timelines from request to delivery, to make our process even more efficient. This will allow us to focus our energies on providing a greater human element, ultimately enhancing the patient experience,” explains Daniel Holmes, AI Delivery Manager. “Automating elements of the journey from request to access means patients can be onboarded faster. AI helps us forecast demand and ensure the right medicines reach the right patient at the right time and place, every time.”
He continues: “It can also help optimise shipping processes, selecting the most appropriate method.” Adverse events must be reported within 24 hours, a process that AI will be able to automate. Clinicians will have access to 24/7 support, reducing delays and unnecessary admin time.
AI helps us forecast demand and ensure
the right medicines reach the right patient
at the right time and place, every time.
Real-world impact
Bionical Emas not only facilitates the delivery of life-changing medications; its real-world data collection is capturing the effect of such medications in real time. Data such as patient outcomes and side effects can be tracked, helping pharmaceutical companies understand a medicine’s safety and efficacy. Data can then be used to support regulatory submission and reimbursement, ensuring commercial success and broader access to investigational drugs.
“Natural language processing and wearable integration are giving sponsors a richer, cleaner dataset,” explains Holmes. “All of our systems are built with the patient in mind, and every new system is validated and overseen by experts. Anything deviating from 100% accuracy is handed back to humans.”
“Technology is improving the quality of our services, giving us a better understanding of the impact of medicines,” emphasises Behmardi. “This seamless integration of cutting-edge innovation and employee expertise enables our talented teams to focus on Bionical Emas’ mission of bringing life-changing medicines to patients around the world.”
