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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for Drug Development Home
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          Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for Drug DevelopmentScience and Research Special Topics Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for Drug Development
  	
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    PrintWhat is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be described as a branch of computer science, statistics, and engineering that uses algorithms or models to perform tasks and exhibit behaviors such as learning, making decisions, and making predictions. ML is considered a subset of AI that allows models to be developed by training algorithms through analysis of data, without models being explicitly programmed.

What role is AI/ML playing in drug development?

FDA recognizes the increased use of AI/ML throughout the drug development life cycle and across a range of therapeutic areas. In fact, FDA has seen a significant increase in the number of drug and biologic application submissions using AI/ML components over the past few years, with more than 100 submissions reported in 2021. These submissions traverse the landscape of drug development — from drug discovery and clinical research to postmarket safety surveillance and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Additionally, AI/ML is increasingly integrated in areas where FDA is actively engaged, including Digital Health Technologies (DHTs), and Real-World Data (RWD) analytics.

What is FDA’s perspective on the use of AI/ML in drug development?

FDA is committed to ensuring that drugs are safe and effective while facilitating innovations in their development. As with any innovation, AI/ML creates opportunities and new and unique challenges. To meet these challenges, FDA has accelerated its efforts to create an agile regulatory ecosystem that can facilitate innovation while safeguarding public health.

As part of this effort, FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), in collaboration with the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), issued an initial discussion paper to communicate with a range of stakeholders and to explore relevant considerations for the use of AI/ML in the development of drugs and biological products. The agency will continue to solicit feedback as it advances regulatory science in this area.

AI/ML will undoubtedly play a critical role in drug development, and FDA plans to develop and adopt a flexible risk-based regulatory framework that promotes innovation and protects patient safety.

Related Publications

AI/ML for Drug Development Discussion Paper (PDF - 1 MB)

	Instructions to Submit Feedback
	CDER Framework for Regulatory Advanced Manufacturing Evaluation (FRAME) Initiative, including discussion papers:
	Artificial Intelligence in Drug Manufacturing (PDF - 2 MB)
		Distributed Manufacturing and Point-of-Care Manufacturing of Drugs (PDF - 1 MB)
	For specific AI/ML publications related to devices, please visit CDRH’s Digital Health Center of Excellence webpage

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      05/16/2023
                  
                   
Regulated Product(s)
		 Biologics
			  			     			  			     Drugs
			     			  			     Radiation-Emitting ProductsArtificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Drug Development
 
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