Wednesday, September 30, 2026

AbbVie teams up with Valkai on AI for clinical development

AbbVie is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities through a new collaboration with Valkai, a life sciences AI platform. The partnership is intended to support selected areas of clinical development and strengthen the company’s use of integrated AI across research activities.

According to AbbVie, Valkai’s technology will be deployed to improve efficiency in targeted parts of clinical research. The company expects the AI capabilities to help teams work with complex data more quickly, generate insights faster and identify opportunities that may support shorter development timelines.

AI embedded in drug development

AbbVie presents the agreement as part of a broader effort to apply AI throughout the drug development process. The company says AI is used to support scientific innovation, connected operations and the way medicines are discovered, developed and delivered.

Nicholas Donoghoe, executive vice president and chief business and strategy officer at AbbVie, said the company is focused on applying AI where it can create meaningful value for the business and for patients. He pointed to the increasing scale and complexity of clinical data as a key reason for partnerships that can speed insight generation while keeping expert decision-making at the center.

Clinical sciences use case

AbbVie highlighted clinical sciences as one area where AI may reduce time spent on manual processes. Andrew Campbell, M.D., vice president of clinical sciences at AbbVie, said success in this field depends on learning quickly, adapting intelligently and making decisions based on a growing body of evidence.

The company frames AI as a tool that complements employee expertise rather than replacing it. AbbVie also emphasized responsible and ethical use. Its AI@AbbVie approach covers the use of artificial intelligence across research and development, operations and other core business functions.

Valkai’s role in life sciences AI

Valkai describes itself as an AI operating system for life sciences. The company says it works with large pharmaceutical and medtech organizations to support faster and more informed decision-making. Its team includes people with backgrounds in research and applied AI at companies including OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Sierra and Glean.

AbbVie focuses on therapeutic areas including immunology, neuroscience and oncology, alongside products and services in its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.